In addition, they seemed to lack the needed technical expertise and leadership skills to effect change. The goal of the program is to reduce the number of alcohol-related traffic incidents among Iowa's youth. Annual statewide focus groups from diverse backgrounds teach program design and implementation. Twenty-five percent of the attendees and 50 percent of the staff are ethnic minorities. For many attendees, this is their first experience on a college campus, with leadership training and with significant exposure to traffic safety issues.
Teens interact with and support one another.
Adult participants, including peace officers, civic leaders, parents, school personnel, and after-school and neighborhood program leaders support the teen action plans. A published newspaper and other materials encourage post-event interaction and mutual support. Approximately 80 percent of the teams implement some portion of their action plan. Six-month evaluations of both adult and youth reveal a new positive focus of teen energy, proactive leadership, creative problem solving and networking, as teens across the state are trying to address alcohol and traffic safety issues.