Class of 1996-1997

Community Forum for Parents of Teenagers

Brainstorming of Problems:

Possible Solutions:

Solution: Community forum for parents and teenagers

Advertising
Community forum panel of experts
Discussion of Alcohol
- 60% of teenagers believe heavy drinking is socially acceptable
- 100,000 ten and eleven year olds reported getting drunk at least once a week in 1992
- Americans spent $96B on beer, wine and distilled spirits last year
Discussion of Drugs
- Drug of choice- alcohol
- Second choice- marijuana
- Marijuana stays in system for up to one month after use
- Marijuana is socially accepted by majority of Americans
Teen Pregnancy
- More teens are becoming sexually active at much younger ages with many more sexual partners
- Every 13 seconds, an American teen acquires an STD
- Nearly one million teens become pregnant
Evaluation
- Most felt it was very valueable and wanted to have one every year

Group Members:

Problem Hypothesis:

Hancock County has a growing residential and industrial population
Insufficient opportunities exist in the area of post-secondary education in Hancock County
While many begin additional education following high school, a significant number do not complete their schooling
Workforce is required to further develop or be retrained in their work skills to keep pace with a rapidly changing work environment

Action Plan: Develop a survey to determine if a need existed

Individual and Business surveys sent to approximately 650 people. Nearly 325 returned.
Individual survey results
- 62.9% would utilize a local facility
- 32.2% would enroll part-time, 43.7% would use it occasionally
- 32.7% felt that the focus should be technical training, 12.7% Associates Degree
- Business survey Results
  - 53.2% would utilize a local facility
  - 62.3% though the focus should be technical training, 10.4% Associates Degree
  - 75.3% of the businesses provide monetary support to upgrade skills

Group Members: