Tulare County is currently filling seats for the new Youth Advisory Committee scheduled to start in 2023. We will update our website once we have a new Committee. Currently our application process is postponed for the Youth Commission Grants. Thank you for understanding.
In May of 2008, the Tulare County Board of Supervisors created the Tulare County Youth Commission. The Youth Commission is an eleven-member advisory panel of youth and education experts. The Youth Commission reviews and administers the Step Up Youth Activities Grant process and recommends to the Board of Supervisors which organizations should receive funding and at what levels.
Interested in becoming a Commissioner? Please contact Jacob Jimenez, Step Up Coordinator at (559) 624-8074 or Michelle Villarreal, Administrative Specialist at 559-624-8078 or complete the application found here: StepUp Advisory Committee Application
Step Up Youth Activities Grant
The Step Up Youth Activities Grant Program is designed to provide financial support for non-profit organizations aiming to improve the quality of life for youth in Tulare County. Preference is given to programs specifically working with youth that are in the under-served areas of the County, new start up programs, and programs that leverage other funds.
The Step Up Youth Activities Grant program allocates $50,000 for grants to Tulare County non-profit organizations. There is $10,000 in funding available for each Supervisorial district. Grants are awarded in the amounts of $2,500 or $5,000.
The Tulare County Youth Commission is charged with reviewing grant applications and making recommendations to the Board of Supervisors on which organizations should receive funding. The Youth Activities Grant is not intended to be the sole funding source for the organization and its proposed project rather a supplemental fund to aid the program. The Tulare County Board of Supervisors makes the final funding decision.
For more information, please contact Jacob Jimenez, Youth Commission Staff at (559) 624-8074.
Step Up Junior High and High School Challenge
The Step Up Youth Challenge is a unique opportunity for youth to build leadership and impact their school and community.
The Challenge is sponsored by the Tulare County Gang Prevention Task Force, with the goal of decreasing gang activity and to promote healthy youth development options in Tulare County.
- Teams are comprised of :
- Each team must have a minimum of 10 students from each participating school
- Each team may select up to 10 additional students as alternates
- No more than 12 students may attend the Summit
Themes include gangs, drug abuse, relationships (peer pressure, bullying, relationship abuse, etc.), self (self-esteem, suicide prevention, nutrition, etc.), or other unique themes identified by the Challenge Team greatly affecting their school. (Teams choosing this category will need the approval of the Challenge Committee before moving forward with their project.)
The Challenge project is developed by students, and their advisor, on the chosen theme and can have an impact on the school population and/or community.
Completed projects compete to win grant funding in the amounts of $2,500 or $1,000 for their school project.
Tulare County is currently filling seats for the new Youth Advisory Committee scheduled to start in 2023. We will update our website once we have a new Committee. Currently our application process is postponed for the Youth Commission Grants. Thank you for understanding.