Frequently Asked Questions

Teen Health Mississippi is a nonprofit based in Mississippi that focuses on building capacity within youth and communities to attain equitable health outcomes. We believe that when youth and adults work together, whole communities change. You can view more information about Teen Health Mississippi by clicking here.(https://teenhealthms.org/)

Hosted by Teen Health Mississippi and our partners, the Mobilizing Youth Summit (MYSummit), provides young people with an opportunity to increase awareness around issues affecting youth in their communities. Young people will collaborate with other youth advocates, local and state leaders, entrepreneurs, policy experts, and social activists to identify paths to move their communities forward. Attendees will participate in immersive workshops, thought-provoking roundtables, and inspiring keynotes, all while building their network of fellow changemakers who are working toward change in their local communities.

This year’s conference will be held June 10-13, 2025, at Delta State University in Cleveland, MS. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpzixuglvGM

Please click here (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1RfL-n-FyBMaiJH3c83Y1wjWgM69uev-ydSU5J2fyLc4/preview)to submit an application.

• Four plenary sessions, including a keynote address from an emerging youth advocate • Team-building and networking activities that will boost engagement and forge an unstoppable community of youth advocates • Up to 10 thematic discussions and interactive breakout sessions involving a range of youth and adult partners • An opportunity to work alongside local city leaders, entrepreneurs, policy experts, youth-serving organizations, and social activists to develop a community advocacy project proposal and pitch your idea for funding • Tabling events with numerous representatives from across the state and a wide spectrum of industries

Great question! The Summit will aim to: • Educate participants on the importance of youth advocacy and how their contributions, voices, and experiences can help with systems transformation. • Empower participants to become stronger advocates by identifying legislative priorities related to issues in their communities. • Enable participants to develop an action plan outlining their advocacy goals and how to implement impactful initiatives within the next 3-6 months.

We encourage youth who meet the minimum requirements to apply and join the pipeline of future leaders who will impact communities across the state. Students of diverse backgrounds (including, but not limited to, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, and income level) are especially encouraged to apply. • Must be a resident of Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, or Tennessee. • High school or college student, age 15-19, with a passion for advocacy. • Proven track record of leadership experience and school or community involvement. • The ability to respectfully work with a wide range of groups and individuals, including LGBTQ+ persons; people of different cultural, religious, racial, and political backgrounds; and people with different abilities. • Able to remain on-site for the entire duration of MYSummit, which is scheduled for June 8-11, 2024.

Thanks to philanthropic support from our generous sponsors, there are no costs associated with participating in MYSummit. Housing, meals, snacks, conference materials, and activities are all covered by Teen Health Mississippi and partners. Participants are only responsible for finding their own transportation to/from the conference.

No. As stated previously, participants are responsible for making travel arrangements to and from Delta State University in Cleveland.

Yes. Attendees are expected to participate in all conference activities scheduled during their conference dates. If you are unable to participate fully or attend, please contact Iesha Hayes at (601) 487-1228 or iesha@teenhealthms.org.(mailto:alexis@teenhealthms.org)

Check-in will be held beginning at 12:00 PM on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, in the designated residence hall lobby at Delta State University. This location will be provided to confirmed attendees 2 weeks prior to the conference. All participants must be checked in by 3:00 PM on Tuesday, June 10, 2025.NO EXCEPTIONS! Participants will receive all necessary materials and room assignments during this time.

Residence hall checkout and parent/guardian pick-up will begin at 12:00 PM on Friday, June 13, 2025, in the designated residence hall lobby at Delta State University. All participants are expected to be checked out by 1:30 PM on Friday, June 13, 2025.

No. On-site registration will not be available. Only registered and confirmed participants are allowed to attend.

While your parent, guardian or program coordinator may not attend the conference as a participant, there will be portions of the conference in which they are invited to participate. Following check-in, we encourage all parents, guardians, and program coordinators to take part in the Parent/Guardian Information Session scheduled for 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm on June 10, 2025.

If you require a disability-related accommodation to fully participate in the conference, please contact Iesha Hayes at (601) 487-1228 or iesha@teenhealthms.org (mailto:alexis@teenhealthms.org)to discuss your needs. Some accommodations may take a while to arrange, so you are encouraged to contact us as soon as possible.

Yes. We understand that some participants will drive themselves to the conference. However, please note that participants will not be allowed to use their vehicles during the conference. Upon check-in, participants who have brought a vehicle will be provided a parking pass and asked to turn over their keys until the conference concludes.

We want this to be a youth-friendly environment, so casual clothing (i.e., khakis, jeans, blouses, button down shirts, etc.) is perfectly fine. Upon arrival, each participant will also receive a conference t-shirt to be worn at some point during the conference. Please note that conference rooms may be cold, so be sure to pack a light sweater or jacket. *Please be advised that photographers will be present, so we ask that you keep that in mind as you decide how to present yourselves each day.*

• Alarm clock • Phone and phone charger • Bed linens, including a comforter or blanket (sheets for twin XL size bed) • Pillow and pillow case • Bath towels • Toiletries (i.e., toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, lotion, feminine hygiene products, etc.) • Shower shoes (i.e., flip flops) • Pajamas or sleepwear • Undergarments • Casual attire (i.e., khakis, jeans, blouses, button down shirts, etc.) • Comfortable shoes, including tennis shoes or sneakers • Prescription medications • Rain gear • Snacks (optional) *Please leave the following items at home: expensive jewelry or other valuables; candles/incense, fragrance plugs, or wax burners; controlled substances; televisions; video games; LED lights or halogen lamps; hot plates, air fryers, grills, or pressure cookers; space heaters; and weapons of any kind*

You will need to bring linens for your bed. The beds in the residence halls are twin XL. We suggest that participants bring a light comforter or blanket, pillow, towels, toiletries, shower shoes, and any other necessary personal items.

In order for participants to have a well-rounded experience, they will be assigned a roommate. Males and females will be housed in separate living spaces.

Rooming assignments will be made based on gender (males and females to be housed separately), and the residence halls will be supervised by Teen Health Mississippi personnel. We will do our best to honor roommate requests; however, we cannot guarantee a specific room assignment.

Our group will have at least one (1) adult chaperone for every ten (10) youth, of the same gender. Selected chaperones must adhere to the following: • Be at least 21 years of age; • Have previously served as a chaperone at some other Teen Health Mississippi-sponsored event, currently employed as youth engagement professional, or employed by one of the advocacy groups that is co-facilitating this particular event.

Yes. Participants are expected to be in the residence halls at the conclusion of the day’s activities. Residence halls will be monitored throughout the day and evening by staff members.

No. Participants will be provided with all meals during the duration of the conference. The following meals are provided: • Tuesday, June 10 – lunch & dinner • Wednesday, June 11 – breakfast, lunch, & dinner • Thursday, June 12 – breakfast, lunch, & dinner • Friday, June 13 – breakfast & lunch-to-go

While you are not required to bring money to the conference, there may be exhibitors and vendors present during certain parts of the conference. If you are interested in making a purchase, you may do so at your own expense.

The health and safety of all visitors to the 2025 MYSummit is our top priority. While we strongly encourage all attendees who are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine to do so, Teen Health Mississippi has decided that participants at the in-person 2025 MYSummit–whether an attendee, presenter, exhibitor, staff, guest, or vendor–are not required to be vaccinated. However, rapid testing and face masks will be available on-site during the check-in process.