BRIDGE FOR TEENS; YOUTH COUNCILS HELP CITIES MEET NEEDS.

Byline: Sylvia L. Oliande Staff Writer

Standing at the back of a City Hall conference room one recent weekday evening, Simi Valley Youth Council members were poised to jot down down suggestions for ways to spend millions of dollars in government money that might soon be coming their way.

It's not often that teen-agers get to play a role in deciding where tax windfalls should go. But these aren't just any teen-agers.

As members of one of the youth councils and commissions in Ventura County, the young adults act as sounding boards and advisory panels to their respective city councils, and as windows into the minds of teens throughout their area.

``They tell the city council and local government what concerns they have, what in the city makes them happy,'' said Mina Layba, coordinator of youth services in Thousand Oaks. ``They give the council an idea of what students are feeling or thinking - a reading of the youth perception out there.''

Members of the Simi Valley Youth Council perceived that additional guidance counselors are needed at local schools. Not just counselors who help students create class schedules and pick colleges, but those who have time to listen when teens feel alienated and depressed.

``The counselors at our schools are all really busy, they see more than 100 kids each,'' council chairman Jonquil Urdaz, 17, said after last week's meeting. ``They can't help us with the problems that most teens are facing today. Students who are having problems maybe can't get the help they need. I think that's why the idea was so popular.''

The final list of projects will be presented to youth service providers at a July 1 meeting hosted by Ventura County Supervisors Frank Schillo and Judy Mikels. Participants will discuss how to spend $27.5 million in state and federal grants that are expected to be available countywide over the next two years.

Locally, the Simi Valley Youth Council serves an advisory role, studying the needs of the city's teens and making suggestions how best to serve them.

The Thousand Oaks Youth Commission has been instrumental in helping to recognize teen-agers for their volunteerism and hosts an annual dance for handicapped children and young adults.

Junior and senior high school students who are interested in serving on the youth councils apply to their cities for consideration, and have to pass an interview with city council members to be chosen.

In Simi Valley, members must reapply each year, and only nine incumbents are asked to return to the 21-member panel. In Thousand Oaks, members of the 15-person group serve two-year terms and are limited to two terms, or a total of four years.

One notable accomplishment this year for the Simi Valley Youth Council, established in 1970, was its success in getting the Simi Valley Unified School district to agree to repair school bathrooms.

Also, after three years of planning, the council members were finally able to survey their peers on their experiences with crisis issues, such as sex, drugs and violence.

Jonquil, who will be a senior at Royal High School in the fall, said the most difficult part of the panel's job is getting through the red tape and bureaucracy put forward at every turn.

But she said her fellow council members have had no trouble dealing with the city's elected officials and staff.

Debbie Solomon, Simi Valley's deputy director of citizen services, said that almost as soon as the youth council reconvenes in September, it will be ready to release the results of the crisis survey.

``These teens have to have a tremendous sense of pride in what they've accomplished,'' she said. ``Each youth council leaves their mark in an area. This year it was the survey. Next year's council will pick up that work when the results are tabulated.''

In Thousand Oaks, the youth commission was established in 1987 and plays a dual role for its city.

Primarily it is set up to advise the City Council on issues that are important to youths in the Conejo Valley. But the youth commission also works to host the annual Therapeutic Dance, attended by handicapped people from throughout Ventura County.

For much of the first half of the school year, the commission works to bring together teen-agers for volunteer efforts to get donations, plan refreshments and ultimately decorate the venue for the dance.

Kristi Conish, 17, chairwoman of the Thousand Oaks Youth Council, said the most rewarding time for the group is during the four hours they spend at the dance.

``As soon as we walk in there and see everyone smiling and having a good time, it's fun,'' she said. ``It's just the self-rewarding thing; it makes you feel good.''

Panelists from throughout eastern Ventura County said that while participation means hard work and spending a lot of time cutting through the red tape, they believe it all will be worth the effort if it helps other students.

``It's gratifying to know that we're actually helping the youth,'' Jonquil said. ``That we can accomplish something that will be better, not just for us, but for youth to come.''

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PHOTO (Color in Simi Edition only) Members of the Simi Valley Youth Council hold a round-table discussion on teen issues with officers of the Simi Police Department.

Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News