The Youth Council of the Epilepsy Foundation convened its first-ever meeting concurrent with the recent meeting of the foundation's board of directors. The focus was to create a strategic action plan for the next two years to cover the foundation's youth programming and how the foundation will reach out to both young people with epilepsy and young people who do not have epilepsy.

"We are excited about this important new program," said Eric R. Hargis, president and CEO of the Epilepsy Foundation. "Changing the attitudes and opinions of today's youth about epilepsy is key to eliminating the stigma of epilepsy. By reaching out to youth, we are both helping young people today and creating a platform for change for tomorrow."

The Youth Council comprises 10 young adults, ages 18 to 24, who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in the epilepsy community. Members serve as ambassadors and public spokespeople for the Epilepsy Foundation's mission, as state and national advocacy representatives, and as epilepsy community leaders at the local level. Council members include youth with and without epilepsy. Members of the Youth Council also serve as national program and youth outreach materials advisors.

"Young people know the best way to talk to young people," said Elizabeth Goldberg, chair of the Youth Council and member of the Epilepsy Foundation's board of directors. "We understand what messages are most important, and how to deliver those messages. Because the council has youth who have epilepsy and youth who don't -- youth who simply want to advocate change and raise awareness in all communities -- we can bring a unique vision and new way of thinking to the foundation. I am thrilled that the foundation has embraced youth leadership as a priority."