Youth in Action

Great partnerships are the foundation for MADD Central Florida’s growing success with Youth In Action. Because of this MADD affiliate’s strong ties to local law enforcement, YIA Coordinator Kelli Davis has been able to strengthen and grow the collaborative relationship with the state’s Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco office. In fact, one of her first calls on the job was to the nearby captain, introducing herself and the Youth In Action program and asking for his involvement in the program. A year later, this captain often calls her requesting the YIA team’s involvement in projects his office hopes to schedule.

Numerous local police departments in the Central Florida area remain vital partners to Youth In Action, not only helping coordinate projects but brokering relationships with the media and ensuring coverage for important enforcement-related activities.

Because of a good relationship with the University of Central Florida’s police department, Ms. Davis has been able to connect law enforcement officials with the UMADD students at the university. Their successful enforcement efforts have not only created a strong UMADD team but have had a trickle-down effect: UMADD leaders are now volunteering to become coordinators for local Youth In Action teams.

In Central Florida, identifying mutual goals, creating partnerships and sharing ownership have become the tactics to pave the way to real change in underage drinking prevention.