Effingham, Il (Via Clay County) – The University of Illinois Extension will be offering the award winning youth preparedness and educational outreach program known as MyPI (My Preparedness Initiative) Illinois to youth ages 13 – 19 in Clay County.
The MyPI program will start Monday, February 26 and run every Monday through April 23 from 5:00 – 7:30 p.m.
In addition to the nine week program there will be one required Saturday, April 14, so attendees can get certified in CPR and AED training.
All programming will take place at Washington School, 114 East Washington, Flora, IL. University of Illinois Extension, is replicating the model created and delivered in Mississippi known as MyPI National.
In 2014, the Mississippi Youth Preparedness Initiative was named FEMA’s national award winner for Outstanding Youth Preparedness program.
It also received an Honorable Mention recognition for “Preparing the Whole Community.”
In 2015, MyPI Mississippi was named one of the first entities to be named an official Affirmer of the new National Strategy for Youth Preparedness Education.
As such, MyPI is an engaged and recognized component of a nationally supported, progressive approach to preparing youth for emergencies and disasters.
The MyPI National is also recognized as an Affirmer of the national strategy.
For students in Clay County, MyPI offers a flexible nine week, three component program.
In Component A, teenagers will complete the United States Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency-certified Teen CERT training and corresponding modules focusing on Disaster Preparedness, Fire Safety and Utility Control, Disaster Medical Operations, Light Search and Rescue, CERT Organization, Disaster Psychology, and Terrorism and CERT.
In Component B, the Add-On Catalog features certification in CPR and AED usage, along with a technology track comprised of awareness programs focusing on HAM Radio, NOAA Weather Radio, Smoke Alarm Maintenance, and Smart Phone App and Social Media in Emergency Preparedness.
The Add-On Catalog also includes a Disaster simulation, and a Career Track that focuses on public safety, fire service, and emergency management careers.
The final element of the program, Component C, includes a comprehensive family and community service project entitled & Prep + & in which each participant helps develop emergency supply kits and emergency communication plans for their family AND 6 additional families or households.
This component allows for significant enhancement in individual, family, and community preparedness and resilience.
To graduate from the program, students must complete all components.
“Teens involved with the MyPI program have the opportunity to make positive impacts in the lives of their families, friends, and neighbors.”
“It is a chance to develop their skills and use their talents to improve the community.” — Aaron S.
For additional information regarding MyPI Illinois visit http://mypiillinois.org or contact Carl Baker at cdbaker@illinois.edu or Dana Homann at dhomann@illinois.edu or by phone at 217-347- 7773. To register for the MyPI Illinois program go to http://web.extension.illinois.edu/cefj.
The program is limited to 25 youth on a first come basis.
If you require reasonable accommodations please contact the Clay County Extension Office at 618-662- 3124.
Press Release courtesy of U of I Extension