California Youth Leadership Forum For Students With Disabilities (YLF)

2025 YLF Flyer includes images from YLF and text that reads California Youth Leadership Forum for Students with Disabilities. YLF 2025. July 14-19, 2025*. *dates subject to change. Advocacy. Community. Opportunity.

The 2025 YLF will be held in-person from July 14 through July 19, 2025, at California State University, Sacramento. Please note: Dates are subject to change.

If selected for the YLF program, delegates and staff are required to attend and participate during all scheduled in-person days.

Additional optional virtual post-YLF sessions will be held in the months after the week-long event as scheduled using the Zoom platform. These monthly workshops will focus on topics such as, transitioning after high school, money management, post-secondary education, work experience and careers and self-advocacy.

At the week-long event, delegates will learn the following:

Advocacy and leadership skills in a peer setting
Meet with professionals with disabilities
Meet state policymakers
Develop goals through their personal and career leadership plan for their education, independent living and career goals
Make lifelong friendships and create a community of support they can rely on for years to come

Please note: YLF planning partners continue to track health trends and safety guidance within California. All participants may be expected to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19, and to test negatively for COVID-19 in the 24 hours before arriving in Sacramento.

NO COST TO DELEGATES

There is no cost for delegates who are selected to attend. All costs including travel, lodging, meals, or any accommodations such as American Sign Language interpreters, Real-Time text captioners, and/or personal care assistants will be covered. Funding for the YLF is provided through a public-private partnership.

Thank you to our 2024 Partners and Sponsors

2024 partners and sponsors logos including Department of Rehabilitation (DOR), California Department of Education (CDE), Department of Developmental Services (DDS), Employment Development Department (EDD), Anthem Blue Cross, Association of California State Employees with Disabilities (ACSED), California Department of Social Services (CDSS), Health Net, Sutter Health, Molina Healthcare, Disability Rights California (DRC), CalABLE, State Independent Living Council (SILC), Connected to Lead and Friends of Californians with Disabilities, Inc.

WHO CAN ATTEND?

California residents with a disability who are high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors during the 2024-2025 school year, ending in June 2025 are eligible to attend.

Students with any type of disability are encouraged to apply. Students who demonstrate leadership potential in school and in the community are best suited for this program.

APPLY NOW

The 2025 Delegate Application will be available January 2025!

For more information, read the 2025 Delegate Information Guide found on the Delegate Information page.

If you have questions or need additional information about the application process, please email us at ylf@dor.ca.gov or call us at 855-894-3436.

YLF VIDEO CLIPS

Watch our awesome promotional video featuring an original rap by YLF alumni:
California YLF Promotional Video.

Find out what past YLF delegates have to say about the YLF:
California YLF Delegate Testimonials.

View other videos of the week-long activities to see what happens at YLF including post-YLF sessions on our California YLF YouTube channel.

Staff and Delegates of the YLF 2024 pose in front of the west steps of the California State Capitol Building in Sacramento, CA

Advisory Committees

Delegate Information Documents Parents Staff Regional YLF Events CCEPD