Healthy teens give back to their communities
"The Wisconsin Regional Teen Institute and the long-term benefits from the action plan have had a positive impact on our school environment and how the students feel about their ability to make a difference in their community."
—Sandi Lichtfield, WRTI advisor, St. Peter Middle School, Stevens Point
UW-Richland WRTI participants build their community team through a "trust lifts" activity. Photo by WISCONSIN REGIONAL TEEN INSTITUTE
Today's teenagers face an increased number of health issues, including pregnancy, underage drinking, drug abuse, smoking and violence. The Wisconsin Regional Teen Institute (WRTI), led by the University of Wisconsin-Extension and UW-Eau Claire Office of Continuing Education, has educated youth to make informed choices about their health and motivated youth to become change agents in their communities for more than 16 years.
Issue-focused projects
The continuing education offices at UW-Richland and UW-Rock County, as well as Ministry Behavioral Health in Stevens Point, offer annual teen institutes. The goal of the institutes is to promote a healthy, safe and drug-free lifestyle and to help attendees develop action plans to implement prevention projects and programs in their schools and communities. Teams of eight to 10 participants, with one or more facilitators, attend the four-day institutes. Each team returns home armed with a project plan designed to address one issue in the community. Teams work on their projects for six months to one year.
Continuous improvement
Many projects become ongoing programs in the communities. The students at St. Peter Middle School in Stevens Point have been working for several years to improve school pride. They have completed a beautification project, including landscaping; made presentations about the school and parish history; and created a new student board to encourage a stronger student voice in the school.
Other teams, like Swallow Middle School in Hartland, have chosen to reduce bullying and improve acceptance of others in their schools and communities. "I learned about kids and how unfair it is to be treated differently," says one Swallow participant. "I see kids being excluded or treated differently for dumb reasons."
Healthier choices, more action
Six-month follow-up research shows that students who attend WRTI make healthier choices regarding alcohol, tobacco and other drugs and, in addition, increase their community involvement.
WRTI receives funding through a grant from the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services, Division of Children and Family Services, Brighter Futures Initiative. —Stephanie Bass Faust
For more information: www.uwec.edu/ce/wrti.htm; WRTI State Coordinator Stephanie Bass Faust, (608) 837-7976, bassfasa@uwec.edu