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Youth Team Development Description of Services One of the goals of MSFAA is youth development. We work to encourage and support leadership from those youth dealing with mental health needs or at risk of developing a mental health need in the future. This is accomplished by MSFAA Youth Team. Youth Team is the chapter of the national organization Youth M.O.V.E. (Motivating Others through Voices of Experience). Through Youth Team, young people are able to share their experiences through group dialogue which in turn, empowers them to take an active role in their growth and development. Youth Team encourages leadership and responsibility by allowing the youth to be the leader and voice of their own organization. By developing leadership skills, young people are able to advocate for their rights in their own voice to improve their community as well as the systems that serve them. The youth are empowered to be equal partners in the process of change and recovery. MSFAA Youth Team implements Project: LASER to accomplish theses goals. Laser is an acronym that stands for Leadership, Advocacy, Service, Economics, and Responsibility. In the area of leadership, youth establish group policies, learn skills to improve organizational and management skills, as well as attend trainings and conferences. To develop self advocacy the youth learn about their rights and improve their written and verbal communication skills through media training. Youth also take part in community service projects that they choose to improve their own community. Regarding economics, youth attend workshops on money management to encourage self sufficiency as well as prepare for their transition into adulthood. Project: LASER also fosters the development of responsibility in the youth by demanding high expectations to achieve personal goals as well as encouraging honesty and accountability. Through group discussions, youth also feel a sense of belonging while becoming support for one another.