YOUTH LEADERSHIP ACADEMY (YLA)

BECOME A VOICE

THAT CREATES CHANGE

Do you want to learn about being a leader? If so, the Youth Leadership Academy (YLA) is for you! YLA is a way to connect with peers with disabilities and learn leadership skills. Spend two hours per day for five days this summer and gain skills for a lifetime. All sessions are virtual and FREE! 

At YLA you will learn:

• How to become a leader,
• How to advocate for you and others,
• What you can do, and
• What you are capable of.

Build Leadership Skills

• Goal Setting
• Networking
• Mentoring
• Self-Determination
• Disability Rights
• Advocacy and Civic Engagement

SCHEDULE

Virtual YLA Training

2026 dates to be announced!

Graduation Ceremony

2026 date to be announced!

Family members are invited to this in-person event taking place in Des Moines. A virtual option will also be available.

Ceremony will include:

• Sharing exercises by each graduate
• Family member connection opportunities
• Lunch
• Optional tour of the Capitol 
  

* American Sign Language will be made available. *

QUESTIONS?

Contact: Carlyn Crowe

Phone: (515) 201-8151

Email: carlyn.crowe@hhs.iowa.gov

YLA is for youth and young adults with disabilities ages 14–21.

Sessions consist of 8–12 students from Iowa communities. Additional sessions may be added, depending on interest.

Download YLA Brochure

Empowering Young Leaders

In 2025, Youth Leadership Academy (YLA) graduated its sixth leadership class. This year’s 12 students spent one week together in interactive, online programming, which also included plenty of dance breaks and time to get to know each other’s favorite activities, social media apps, music and video games!

The serious programming included setting leadership goals so they can plan for how they want to make a difference in their community and in the world!

YLA Was A Training Ground for These Student

Council Leaders

Four students who have graduated from YLA in the past three years have gone on to be elected to leadership positions in the UI REACH program at the University of Iowa in Iowa City.

“YLA is a great training ground for our students. Not only do they learn what it means to be a leader, they come away with confidence and know that their involvement means they will make a difference here at UI REACH and at home in their communities,” said William Loyd, Director of the UI REACH Program.

Parents of YLA Alumni Praise the Program

• “It was very worthwhile. Everything he read about was new for him.”
• “He learned he was part of something bigger than himself.”
• “It helped my son connect better with his peers and community.”
• “It gave her an opportunity to have her voice heard, learn from others experiences, and learn how to better advocate for herself.”
• “Gave her responsibility.”