Congressional Youth Advisory Council (CYAC)

Congresswoman Judy Chu's Congressional Youth Advisory Council (CYAC) is a school-year civic leadership program for high school students who live in California's 28th Congressional District. Council members meet with the congresswoman's staff and local community leaders to talk through issues affecting young people and to explore how the federal government can support the community. The council started with an inaugural 2024-2025 cohort. The 2026-2027 council holds eight one-hour meetings from November 4, 2026 to February 27, 2027. Most meetings take place on Zoom from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. Pacific time, and the final meeting is an in-person Saturday morning session. Questions go to the congresswoman's Pasadena district office.

Students must live in California's 28th Congressional District and be entering 9th through 12th grade when the program starts. Students can serve for one year only. Members must attend the first meeting and the last two meetings, and may miss up to two other meetings with an excuse. Apply online with a signed authorization and release form, a 250-word essay on why you want to join, a one-page resume, an official or unofficial transcript, and two recommendation letters from people outside the family. The 2026-2027 application deadline was September 15, 2026, and decisions were set to be emailed around October 15, 2026.