4-H CARTEENS is a traffic safety program conducted by 4-H teen leaders and their program partners for juvenile traffic offenders. 4-H CARTEENS goals include:

• reducing the number of repeat juvenile traffic offenders,
• decreasing the number of teen traffic offenders, and
• increasing teen awareness of traffic/vehicular safety.

4-H CARTEENS Background
Ohio State University faculty and staff located in county Extension offices recruit and engage adult volunteers and teen leaders who provide leadership to educational programs for youth in local communities. Over the years, county needs assessments conducted by OSU Extension have repeatedly identified teen vehicular safety as a priority need in Ohio’s communities.

The 4-H CARTEENS vehicular safety initiative was developed in response to this need. The original CARTEENS Program began in Brown County, Ohio in 1987. The local 4-H educator, volunteer teen leaders, the juvenile probate court, and the Ohio Highway Patrol all collaborated to develop the program. Since 1987, the 4-H CARTEENS program has expanded throughout Ohio and to several other states across the nation.

CARTEENS is offered in Hocking County as a result of a collaborative effort between 4-H Youth Development, Hocking County Juvenile Court, local law enforcement and insurance agencies. Our 4-H members help develop and teach this traffic safety program. CARTEENS sessions are delivered in a two-hour format, six times a year. All teen drivers are encouraged to attend this session for the low cost of $20. For more information about 4-H CARTEENS in Hocking County contact Stephanie Blackford, Program Assistant, 4-H Youth Development at 740-385-3222 or blackford.74@osu.edu.  Additional information can also be found at www.ohio4h.org/4-h-youth/teens/carteens.