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Carroll County Teen Health Councils Celebrate Successes

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Teen Health Councils (THC) and Advisers from Carroll County’s five special school districts gathered February 26, 2019, at the Carroll County Civic Center for a time of sharing, networking, motivation, and celebration. Teen Health Councils provide peer-to-peer education and motivation for safe and healthy lifestyle choices for students in grades Pre-K through 12. In addition, they promote policy changes in their schools and communities.
Barbara Kelly, Carroll County Health Department, welcomed everyone and reviewed the day’s agenda. To kick off the meeting, members of the Clarksburg Teen Health Council performed the Dover Youth2Youth Samantha Skunk Loves Her O’s skit addressing the health risks associated with secondhand smoke exposure the group performed for six of the county’s mayors in January. The Dover Youth2Youth toolkit contains costumes, skits, PSAs, curriculums, and activities teens can utilize to educate children, teens, and adults. Consequently, seven of the county’s eight city mayors have signed resolutions designating city-owned and operated parks and playgrounds as smoke-free areas. In addition, two of the county’s five special school districts, Huntingdon and South Carroll, have passed 100 percent tobacco and smoke-free campus and property policies. The teens will continue to promote 100 percent tobacco and smoke-free campus and property policies in the remaining three school districts.
Students and adults introduced themselves by using an adjective with the same first letter as their first name to tell others a little about themselves. Carroll County Superintendent of Education Johnny McAdams praised the Councils’ accomplishments and gave the Invocation.
After a healthy lunch, Carroll County Health Council Chair Rita Foster and Carroll County Prevention Coalition Khrystian Bynam spoke to the group regarding the continuing health challenges in the county.
Carroll County Coordinated School Health Director Mandy Drewry and Assistant Jennifer Medford provided an overview of Tennessee Teen Institute, which is held for one week in June every year.
Braggin’ Time was a chance for students from each of the five school districts to report on their activities and successes since the beginning of the school and their plans for the remainder of the year.
To close the meeting, Coordinated School Health presented each Teen Health Council member with a certificate. The also honored the following with plaques:

Outstanding Advisor: Patsy Smith, Clarksburg THC
Most Improved Advisor:  Beverly Keymon, West Carroll THC
Outstanding Service: Barbara Kelly, Carroll County Health Department, and Rita Foster, Carroll County Health Council Chair.
The THC’s were honored to have the following members of the Carroll County Health Council join them for the meeting: 
Carroll County Mayor Joseph Butler, Carroll County Sheriff’s Department Public Information Officer Becky Keith, Carroll Academy Director John Roberts, Carroll County UT Extension Agent Lacy Yeley, South Carroll Director of Schools Dr. Tony Tucker, and Carroll County Health Department Director Emily Rushing.  
Carroll County Health Department’s Tobacco, Alcohol and Drug Prevention Team members Jennifer Williams, Michelle Martin, and Robin Luther assisted with the annual event which was sponsored by the Carroll County Health Department, Carroll County Coordinated School Health, Carroll County Board of Education, and Carroll County Government.
The Teen Health Councils were established in 2012 by the Carroll County Health Council. Each year, they develop action plans to address Tennessee’s Big 4 Health Risks as determined by the Tennessee Department of Health. The Big 4 are Healthy Weight, Physical Activity, Nicotine Use, and Substance Misuse. In addition, they may address additional health risks as determined by the teens.

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