The Council’s Elevate Youth California program supports youth leadership development in Oakland and Vallejo to reduce youth substance use disorder (SUD). Funded by the Sierra Health Foundation, this program trains young leaders (EYC Fellows) in Alameda and Solano Counties to implement peer mentoring, youth advocacy, and outreach activities to middle- and high-school students at risk of SUD. 

Fellows receive training in research methods, data analysis, trauma-informed and healing-centered principles/practices, historical analysis and cultural awareness, stigma reduction, public speaking/writing skills, facilitation skills, social media, communications strategy and policy analysis. Fellows’ SUD training includes education on various drugs, their harms and prevention and treatment options available in their communities; healing-informed practices; and tools/language for reducing the stigma associated with opioid use disorder/mental health services