What types of youth empowerment programs are available to school districts?
Secondary schools participate in two youth empowerment conferences each year. The conferences typically address several of the high risk behaviors identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). High risk behaviors addressed are: Poor Nutrition and Physical Inactivity, Tobacco use, Alcohol and other Drug use, Intentional and Unintentional Injuries, HIV/STI and Unintentional Pregnancies. Teens as Teachers is a peer leadership program that trains high school students to educate younger students about the harmful effects of tobacco use. Students and a faculty member each spend a full day being trained. They are then encouraged to schedule meetings to finalize their teaching plans, and to schedule their presentations to younger students. Students also participate in an educational theater program called “Butt Out”. Scripts and a background CD are available to schools who are interested in using this program. “Butt-Out” features comedy sketches and musical numbers that e
