Missouri Youth Leadership Forum
The 19th Annual Missouri Youth Leadership Forum (MO-YLF) will be held July 18-22, 2023
The Missouri Youth Leadership Forum is a unique career leadership-training program for high school students with disabilities, ages 16 – 21. Youth delegates are selected from their local communities to cultivate leadership, citizenship, social, and career development skills at this summer program.
Missouri Youth Leadership Flyer and Q&A
2023 Delegate (Youth) Application:
Application Due Date: Submitted or postmarked by April 15, 2023
2023 Staff/Volunteer Application:
Application Due Date: Submitted or postmarked by May 1, 2023
Options for submitting completed application:
Please select one of the following options for submitting your completed application:
- Upload to: Youth Leadership Forum (mo.gov)
- Fax to: 573-526-4109
- Mail to:
Governor’s Council on Disability
Missouri Youth Leadership Forum
PO Box 1668
Jefferson City, MO 65102
If you have any questions or need an alternative format of the application, contact our office at: rachel.rackers@oa.mo.gov or 800-877-8249
2023 Sponsors:
Hosting Agencies
Gold Level
Silver Level
Bronze Level
Supporter Level
In-kind Donations
Missouri Youth Leadership Forum - Introductory Video
Missouri Youth Leadership Forum - Introductory Video - (audio description)
Missouri Youth Leadership Forum - Descriptive Video
Youth Video for Potential Applicants
Program Video for Professionals & Families
What is the Missouri Youth Leadership Forum
What are the goals of the Missouri Youth Leadership Forum?
- Develop leadership skills to ensure that all youth with disabilities will realize their full potential
- Develop career strategies that increase the youth’s potential for employment
- Promote inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of society
- Participate in policymaking or practices that affect youth people with disabilities
Why is the Missouri Youth Leadership Forum only for students with disabilities?
It is important for students with disabilities to meet other students who share similar experiences. Through the course of five days, students build pride and self-esteem and learn from each other. Youth begin building a supportive community.
The key success to the Missouri Youth Leadership Forum is leadership by example. As part of the program, students meet successful adults with disabilities who share similar challenges. This framework provides an atmosphere of encouragement which helps youth realize their ability to pursue meaningful employment and become contributing members of society.
How are students selected?
Youth are selected through a statewide competitive process that seeks students with disabilities who have leadership potential. Each applicant submits a standard application, resume and three references.
The student delegates will represent a cross section of Missouri in terms of geography, gender, economic status, ethnicity and different types of disabilities.
What is the agenda?
- Learning and applying leadership principles
- Understanding the disability experience and sharing resources
- Assistive technology
- Building independent living skills and setting career goals
- Developing advocacy skills
What is the cost?
The Missouri Youth Leadership Forum is funded through state agencies, sponsorships and donations. Students will not be charged to participate. Students are responsible for their transportation to and from Columbia.
If you would like to help defray the cost of this program, please make your tax-deductible donation payable to the MO-YLF dba Paraquad and mail to:
Missouri Youth Leadership Forum
PO Box 1668
Jefferson City, MO 65101
How do I apply?
Visit: https://disability.mo.gov/gcd/ylf.htm to complete the application. This application includes an application form, resume, and three references. Applicants selected to attend will be required to complete additional forms prior to participation.
If you have questions about the application, please contact our office at (573) 751-2600.
To request the application in an alternate format as an accommodation, please contact Rachel Rackers at Rachel.rackers@oa.mo.gov.
Who serves as staff at the Missouri Youth Leadership Forum?
In addition to staff from the Governor's Council on Disability and our partnering agencies, qualified volunteers are needed to staff the MO-YLF. If you are interested in participating as a Facilitator, Team Member, Community Volunteer, Personal Care Assistant, Dorm Parent, or Mentor, please complete the staff/volunteer application at https://disability.mo.gov/gcd/ylf.htm.
To see descriptions of all the positions that are available, visit this link for PDF version or Word version.
Who Hosts the Missouri Youth Leadership Forum?
The Missouri Youth Leadership Forum is hosted by the Governor's Council on Disability in collaboration with MU College of Education, MU-Pre-Employment Transition Services, Paraquad and Vocational Rehabilitation.
The following documents provide an educational tool for recruiting youth delegates to attend the annual Missouri Youth Leadership Forum for students with disabilities.
Link to the National Youth Leadership Network
Link to National Associations of Youth Leadership Forums
Slide Shows from previous Missouri Youth Leadership Forums
2014 Missouri Youth Leadership Forum YouTube Video
2013 Missouri Youth Leadership Forum YouTube Video
2012 Missouri Youth Leadership Forum YouTube Video
2011 Missouri Youth Leadership Forum Slide Show