Disaster situations can, and do, affect thousands of individuals every year across the United States. Preparedness levels determine the degree of individual and community response and recovery. Knowing what to do during a disaster is a key factor in remaining safe, (ready.gov, 2012). Since there are situations where adults are not readily available to respond, and because children account for 25 percent of our total population, it is important for youth to understand what to do to prepare for, and survive, an emergency. Over 65 million children are affected by natural disasters each year, therefore it is critcal for youth to have training to care for themselves and others, (CitizenCorp.gov, 2012). The 4-H Teen CERT program not only trains youth what to do and how to respond in a disaster, but also helps youth prepare their community should an emergency occur. This fact sheet will report on a final evaluation of a two-state educational program to train older youth to educate communities about disasters and to train fellow youth in appropriate response efforts once a disaster occurs.
