Youth in governance makes government come alive

CCE Genesee County. Hands-on learning extends beyond making things. When you youth are making decisions, role-playing, and forming relationships with decision makers they are learning about government in a very practical, concrete way. This is the approach taken by CCE Genesee County.

The Genesee County 4-H Shadow Jury program offered a high profile criminal court case for high school students to participate in this year. In the spring of 2008, 12 students served as a shadow jury in the programs first murder trial. Participating students indicated very positive experiences in first hand learning of the county courts and system of justice. This was communicated during a special post trial debriefing with county court officials (including the judge, DA, Defense attorney and official jurors).

Shadow Jury is a part of the Genesee County 4-H Local Government Program, now in its 39th year. It continues to grow and be fine tuned as an experiential education program for high school students. 19 students completed the course this year. Students were engaged in a four part educational experience earning up to ½ unit of elective credit in some participating schools. The experience included tours and seminars to observe county government departments; observation and participation in bi monthly County Legislature meetings; researching and drafting a resolution that reflects as realistic local/county government issue; participating in a student run legislature session.

As a part of this program, the Genesee Youth In Action Youth Conference Committee planned and implemented the 2008 Genesee Youth Conference. At this Youth Conference, youth learn about significant facts surrounding current youth issues. Partners from the community instructed over 400 youth, teachers and youth serving educators in 30 workshops.
The program is well supported with ties to NYS government, Senator Rath’s Office; Genesee County Youth Bureau; Genesee Community College; Genesee County Legislature; Genesee United Memorial Healthy Living Program; Batavia Area YMCA; Planned Parenthood; Genesee County Courts; Genesee County Government Departments; Local Schools; private businesses and industry supporting the conference and a Youth in Action Annual grant from the NYS Office of Children and Family Services through Genesee County Youth Bureau and a Special Member Item Grant from NYS Senator Mary Lou Rath.