PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION

A study of 33 adolescents and young adults, conducted by the Adult Friends For Youth, found that 27 did not have licenses and 22 drove automobiles on a regular basis. Respondents reported 11 accidents that involved unlicensed drivers.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Adult Friends for Youth is a private, non-profit agency that counsels high-risk youth, including gang members and high school dropouts. The mission of the program is to train and license high-risk adolescents and young adults, and thereby, improve road safety for drivers, occupants, and the public.

The program’s goals are to:

• gain access to 20 high-risk drivers through the Adults Friends For Youth’s gang and school rehabilitation programs;

• enroll 20 high-risk drivers in driver education classes; approximately half of the students will be under the age of 18; and

• obtain licenses for 15 of the 20 enrolled drivers.

STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES

The following strategies and activities were developed to support the program goals:

• Enroll those under 18 years old in a school driver education program.

• Use Adult Friends For Youth’s clinical staff to provide teachers and materials for the driver education classes that are geared to those over 18 years old.

• Help students prepare for examinations and road tests, as well as provide a vehicle for training purposes.

• Pay for permits and licenses for students who are unable to afford the fees.

RESULTS

As of the third quarter, the program has reached its goal of 20 enrollees in the high-risk drivers program. There are nine teens under 18; the youngest is 15. There are also 11 over 18; the oldest is 35 years old. One of the young adults recently received a driver’s license, while 15 others have attained permits.

   WINTER 2002