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The United Way turning teens’ lives around E-mail
The United Way of Dane County has begun to plan to help their troubled teenagers through projects which will ultimately aim to lower the rate of high school dropouts and control teen violence. The United Way’s objective is to “turn their lives around.”
In the 2005-2006 school year, 9 percent of students in Wisconsin schools became high school dropouts. An evident increase in violence among teenagers was also noted that year, making officials come to the conclusion that the issue needs to be given proper notice before it rises uncontrollably.
A United Way delegation for the improvement of the future Dane County youth was co-chaired by Corey Chambas.  He agreed that action must be taken. "We want to help these kids. We see kids falling by the wayside, and there are ways to help," said Chambas.

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In order to figure out the most effective manner to reach Dane County’s troubled teens, a nine-month study was conducted which included parents, teens, teachers, community leaders, and law officials. It was important that the study involved not only the teens themselves but also their parents, teachers, and those in the community.  By involving others surrounding them, and studying their environment, the most appropriate way to take action was considered.
Chambas said, "It's not just a school issue, it's not just an education issue, it's not just a law enforcement kind of issue -- it's very broad based."
After revealing the results of its study the committee will then have gone through its main action plan as an answer to these results. The pilot program starts head-on with leaders facing issues in 2 communities.
The committee is relying on the concept of a direct, “all-front approach” in order to reverse the trend of bad behavior in their teens. Instead of beating around the bush, the committee is confident in diving straight to the point in order to tackle the increase in negative behavior of their teens.
"If you have kids dropping out of school, they're not going to be productive members of society. We need those kids from an economic perspective," said Chambas.
The entire plan is entitled the “Achievement Connections Mobilization Plan.”  If positive feedback is observed from the pilot program, in the next two years the officials of the area will plan a countywide launch.

 
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