News Release

Date: March 18, 2004

For: Immediate Release

By: Vickie B. Mullins

4-H Extension Agent

Santa Rosa County Extension Service

Telephone: 850-623-3868 or 850-934-5278

Youth Leadership Program

All middle and high school youth interested in developing leadership skills and/or being involved in decision making are invited to attend a youth leadership program to be held Monday, March 22 from 6:30-8:00 pm at the Santa Rosa County Extension Service office.

The Santa Rosa County 4-H Program recently received a mini grant ($1,000) as seed money to develop a “Youth in Governance/Youth Adult Partnership” project. The Santa Rosa County Teen Council has agreed to sponsor the program and feels that the project should involve all interested youth, not just 4-H members. The program will promote youth leadership and will be developed by and for the youth in collaboration with adult community, business, institution and government leaders and partners.

We will be incorporating information and concepts identified in the latest research regarding youth and public decision-making and engaging teens in policy decisions. The goal is to provide youth with knowledge and skills necessary for youth to be effective participants in the decision making process in public policy decisions.

In 2001 and 2002 Santa Rosa County 4-H participated in the “Youth Conversation” which sought input from youth and youth serving agencies to discover the issues and concerns of today’s youth. Again in 2003, a town hall style meeting of youth and community leaders sought input to discover what the needs and concerns of our youth were. Over 100 youth from throughout the county participated in the meetings.

One of the top priorities identified by the youth participants was their desire for youth to be a part of and involved in the decision making processes and groups that make decisions about and for youth. They suggested the formation of a “Youth Council” that would be able to present the youth perspective in issues and concerns that affect them now and that would affect them as future citizens. This proposed leadership project will provide youth with an opportunity to develop an outlet for their “youth voice” and inclusion of youth in the decision making process.

For more information on the above activities, or about 4-H contact the Santa Rosa County 4-H Office at 623-3868 or 934-5278 (for south county residents).

Extension Service programs are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, age, handicap or national origin.