Youth Board
OPEN is recruiting passionate, diverse community members to participate in our Youth Board beginning Winter 2025. We are looking for youth throughout Michigan (high school age or older) interested in creating resources for teens and adolescents regarding opioid use, pain management, and substance use disorder.
Who We Are: The Overdose Prevention Engagement Network (OPEN) was launched at the University of Michigan in 2016. Our mission includes engaging with individuals, communities, and organizations to share education and resources and strengthen person-centered prevention, treatment, and recovery.
OPEN focuses on the prevention of opioid dependence, misuse and overdose in pediatric and adolescent populations by intervening at the point where many are first introduced to them—when acute pain is treated following surgery. We work to reduce post-surgical opioid use disorder through innovative preventive strategies promoting safe prescribing, alternatives to opioids, and storage and disposal of prescriptions.
For examples of previous Youth Board projects, check out the OPEN Teen page, which was developed by local high school and college students that wanted to create a resource to answer the questions that they and people around them had about opioids, pain management, and the opioid overdose crisis.
Youth Board Goals:
- Develop educational materials tailored to youth, such as brochures, posters, and videos, about opioid prevention, treatment, and recovery.
- Build partnerships with other youth organizations, schools, and healthcare providers to create a comprehensive community approach to addressing the opioid crisis.
- Ensure that the perspectives and voices of youth are included in discussions and decision-making processes related to opioid misuse prevention and treatment.
- Foster a supportive and inclusive environment where all members feel valued, respected, and connected.
Expectations and Responsibilities:
- Participation in virtual meetings or equivalent asynchronous tasks for approximately two hours/month
- Actively engage in discussions, providing input and sharing ideas
- Be open to feedback and willing to provide constructive feedback to peers
- Provide prompt email communication if you are unable to attend a meeting or complete a task
- Commit to long-term board participation (at least 1-year commitment preferred)
Compensation: Participants will be compensated at a rate of $25/hr and paid on a quarterly basis.
Woohoo! All positions on the board are currently full. Please complete an application to submit your interest and we will reach out when there is an opening. Thank you!
Eligibility Requirements:
- Up to 24 years old
- Living in Michigan
- Able to meet expectations and responsibilities outlined above
- Full name*
- Pronouns
- Age*
- School (if attending)
- Grade (if attending)
- Email*
- Phone number
- General availability*
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Monday AM Monday afternoon Monday PM Tuesday AM Tuesday afternoon Tuesday PM Wednesday AM Wednesday afternoon Wednesday PM Thursday AM Thursday afternoon Thursday PM Friday AM Friday afternoon Friday PM
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- Why are you interested in joining the OPEN Youth Board and how would participation contribute to your goals, personally or professionally?*
- What motivates you to work with the topics of substance use, opioid use, and pain management?
- What skills or experience will you bring and how do you think they can contribute to the board’s goals?*
- What are some ideas or projects you would like to see the Youth Board undertake?*
- Describe a time when you took an initiative to start something new in your school or community. What motivated you, and what was the result?*
- How did you find out about this opportunity?*
- Is there anything else you would like us to know about you that has not been covered in this application?
- Acknowledgements: If I am invited to join the OPEN Youth Board, I will
- Attend all scheduled meetings and inform the program coordinators at least 1 week in advance if I know I will not be able to attend a meeting.*
- Accurately report the hours I participate, including in meetings and asynchronous tasks.*
- Complete the required informational form for appropriate permissions and compensation.*