Seminole County Youth Commission – Background

Established to serve as a community advocate and catalyst in identifying and promoting services and opportunities for youth.

VisionTo be the most influential and effective advocate for

youth.

MissionTo strengthen the quality of life for youth in Seminole

County.

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Seminole County Youth Commission Board Members

Dede Schaffner (Chair)

Kip Beacham Steve Glazier Paul Hoyer Bill James Matt Julian

Robert Merchant, Jr. Sid Miller Mike Napier Scott Plakon Michele Saunders Karen van Caulil Wayne Weinberg

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What if…

All Seminole County youth did say “no” to drugs and alcohol….

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What if…

All Seminole County youth felt positive about their body image and led healthier lifestyles….

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What if…

All Seminole County youth knew how to deal with conflict and resolve it in a peaceful manner….

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What if…

All Seminole County youth knew how to cope with depression and where to go for help….

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Major Work of the Youth Commission to Date

• Seminole County Youth Survey – 2008 and 2009

CRITICAL ISSUES– Alcohol/Drug Abuse– Body Image– Depression– Conflict Resolution

• Seminole County Youth Summit – 2008 and 2009

• State of Our Youth Report - significant amount of data reported and trended on health, education, juvenile justice and other indicators for youth.

• Four Working Committees Comprised of Community Leaders and Student Leaders

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Youth Summit

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Top Issues Identified

Alcohol/Drug Use

Body Image

Depression

Conflict Resolution

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Alcohol Use 65.5% of high school students had

tried alcohol in their lifetime

38% of high school students had used alcohol in the past 30 days

Most commonly used drug among Seminole County youth

Source: 2008 Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey Results

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Drug Abuse 16.8% of high school students

reported starting using cigarettes before age 13

22.4% of high school students have tried marijuana at least once in their lifetime

Ecstasy is the most commonly used “club drug” among Seminole County teens

Source: 2008 Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey Results

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Body Image

13.6% of youth felt they were overweight

12.8% of youth reported that they did not participate in any rigorous activity on any day during the past week

Source: 2009 Seminole County Youth Survey

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Conflict Resolution

77% of youth reported helping someone stay out of trouble 1 or more times in the past month

45.4% of youth reported having trouble getting along with other students at least once in the past month

Source: 2009 Seminole County Youth Survey

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Depression 43.5% of youth reported

being “very sad” 1-5 days in the past month

37.8% of youth reported having difficulty concentrating on their school work 1-5 days in the past month

Source: 2009 Seminole County Youth Survey

Overarching Action Steps

1. Critical issues profile directories posted at www.seminoleyouth.org

2. Utilize Seminole County youth leaders throughout the school year.

3. Include prevention and education articles on healthy choices in school newsletters.

4. Increase collaboration among community agencies.

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Action Steps – Alcohol/Drug Abuse

1. Continue to support drug free presentations/ initiatives such as the mock DUI

2. Peer presentations on prevention.

3. Formal collaboration with the Seminole Prevention Coalition (via MOA)

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Action Steps – Body Image

1. Review the Seminole County School Health Services Plan to integrate body image related strategies.

2. Increase awareness of existing school based counseling programs.

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Action Steps –Conflict Resolution

1. Collaborate with local initiatives focused on conflict resolution.

2. Increase awareness about conflict resolution and available resources to the faith leaders.

3. Provide conflict resolution training to adult and student leaders.

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Action Steps – Conflict Resolution (continued)

4. Promote conflict resolution training to youth.

5. Media competition regarding conflict resolution (i.e. video, podcast).

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Action Steps – Depression

1. Implement district wide educational campaign about the signs of depression and available resources.

2. Utilize multi-media tools designed by youth regarding depression.

3. Pilot a peer mentoring program to help students identify depression and make appropriate referrals.

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Next Steps

Four committees will meet to further develop the strategies and implement solutions

Develop Youth Commission website as a community resource to parents and students and the general community

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