Dane County Board Recognizes Youth Leadership Month

February 19, 2026
Dylan Moffitt, Policy, Outreach, and Communications Coordinator, (608) 228-9053
County Board

DANE COUNTY, Wis. — On Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, the Dane County Board of Supervisors officially recognized February 2026 as Youth Leadership Month. The board passed 2025 RES-331 to mark this observance and highlight the importance of youth voices, leadership development, and civic engagement in strengthening communities.

Youth Leadership Month recognizes the contributions of young people and affirms the value of youth participation in shaping policies and systems that affect their lives. The resolution acknowledges that youth bring unique perspectives, lived experiences, and innovative ideas that help communities address complex challenges and build a more equitable future.

“Often youth leadership is viewed as symbolic, but quite the opposite is true,” said Supervisor Henry Fries (Dist. 5). “When we create meaningful opportunities for young people to shape policy, we strengthen our institutions, improve our decisions, and nurture the youth of Dane County. Youth Leadership month affirms that civic participation does not begin at 18, it begins with being heard.”

The resolution notes that findings from the 2021 Dane County Youth Assessment highlight the importance of centering youth voices in policymaking, particularly as mental and emotional health challenges disproportionately affect marginalized youth, including girls, LGBTQ+ youth, youth of color, and youth experiencing economic stress.

The county board also recognized the contributions of the Dane County Youth Governance Program (YGP), a program dedicated to developing youth leadership through direct participation in county government. “The youth in Dane County are eager to learn, innovate, and make a difference,” said Ely Moya, bilingual youth development educator at UW-Madison Dane County Extension. “Programs like YGP give them a platform to participate in government, access mentorship and educational opportunities, and put their ideas into action. We are especially grateful to the Dane County Board for their guidance and mentorship. This partnership is a core component of YGP, helping youth navigate county government, make informed decisions, and develop as leaders.”

The Dane County Board of Supervisors reaffirms its commitment to supporting youth leadership opportunities and ensuring that young people have meaningful pathways to participate in civic life and influence decisions that shape their communities.

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About the Dane County Board of Supervisors: The Dane County Board of Supervisors is the legislative and policymaking body of Dane County government. Composed of 37 supervisors elected to represent each county district, the county board’s mission is to effectively represent the people of Dane County, providing services that secure the blessings of freedom, ensure domestic tranquility, promote the general welfare, and perfect the forms of government. Learn more about the county board at https://board.danecounty.gov/.