Chairman Anthony Rodriguez announces the second year of YEP, a two-week civic leadership experience giving Miami-Dade County high schoolers direct access to local government and the legislative process
Miami-Dade County high school students now have the opportunity to apply for one of the most distinctive civic education experiences available in South Florida. Chairman Anthony Rodriguez has officially announced the return of the Youth Engagement Program — known as YEP — for 2026, with the program scheduled to run from July 13 through July 24. Building on the success of its inaugural year, YEP offers students a two-week, hands-on immersion in county government, public policy, and community leadership, with an emphasis on developing the next generation of civic-minded residents who are informed, engaged, and prepared to lead. In a region as diverse and dynamic as Miami-Dade County, community awareness and youth civic participation have never been more important — and YEP represents a concrete investment in both.
What Students Can Expect From the 2026 Youth Engagement Program
The Youth Engagement Program is structured as an intensive two-week experience designed to give participating students more than a textbook introduction to government. Through a combination of educational sessions, interactive activities, and site visits, students gain firsthand exposure to how Miami-Dade County's government actually functions — from the legislative process and public policy decisions to the departments and personnel responsible for delivering services to more than 2.7 million residents.
The program is built around three core goals: fostering civic awareness, developing leadership skills, and encouraging meaningful public service engagement among young people who will one day inherit the responsibilities of community stewardship. Students who complete the program receive community service hours, providing a tangible benefit that recognizes their commitment and can support academic and scholarship applications.
"Investing in our youth means investing in the future of Miami-Dade County," Chairman Rodriguez said in announcing the program. "Following the strong response and impact of last year's program, we are proud to bring back the Youth Engagement Program and expand opportunities for students to gain meaningful exposure to the legislative process and become more engaged in their communities."
YEP is made possible through Chairman Rodriguez's Office and is coordinated in part by the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. Students and families interested in applying or learning more about the program are encouraged to contact Henry Sori in the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs for application details and deadlines.
The program is open to high school students across Miami-Dade County, reflecting a commitment to broad, countywide access to civic education opportunities that go beyond what is typically available inside the classroom. Given the competitive interest programs of this kind tend to generate, prospective applicants are encouraged to reach out and begin the application process as early as possible.
Why Civic Education Programs Like YEP Matter for Miami-Dade County's Future
The relaunch of YEP comes at a moment when civic engagement among young people is a subject of heightened national attention. Research consistently shows that early, meaningful exposure to government and public policy increases the likelihood of long-term civic participation — voting, community organizing, public service careers, and informed advocacy — among young adults. Programs like Youth Engagement Program are designed to bridge the gap between formal education and the practical, lived experience of how government works.
For Miami-Dade County specifically, the stakes are high. The county is home to one of the most diverse populations in the United States, with large immigrant communities, a robust small business sector, and a civic landscape shaped by global influences and deeply local traditions. Developing a pipeline of young residents who understand how county government functions — and who feel empowered to participate in it — is essential to ensuring that Miami-Dade's institutions remain accountable, responsive, and reflective of the communities they serve.
Chairman Rodriguez's decision to expand the program into its second year signals institutional commitment rather than one-time initiative. The program's continuation after a successful inaugural year suggests that it is delivering on its core promise: connecting students to their government in ways that are meaningful, memorable, and lasting.
Community awareness also benefits when young people are engaged. Students who participate in programs like Youth Engagement Program carry what they learn back into their families and peer networks, multiplying the civic impact well beyond the students themselves. In a county where voter participation and community engagement remain ongoing priorities, those ripple effects matter. Register today.
For families across Miami-Dade County, the Youth Engagement Program represents an opportunity that is both rare and genuinely valuable — a chance for a high school student to spend two weeks not just reading about democracy, but experiencing how it works up close.
For more coverage of Miami-Dade County civic programs and community initiatives, visit the Calle Ocho News Community section. Related reading: Miami-Dade County invests in next-generation civic leaders and Youth programs across Miami-Dade expand access to public service careers.
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