Spotlight on the National Organizations for Youth Safety
The National Organizations for Youth Safety (NOYS) is a collaborative network of federal agencies and national organizations that serve youth and focus on youth safety and health. The mission of NOYS is to promote youth empowerment and leadership and build partnerships that will save lives, prevent injuries, and promote safe and healthy lifestyles among all youth. Created in 1994, NOYS is now the longest operating coalition of youth-serving and youth membership organizations that focus on youth safety and health in America.
NOYS draws its membership from the full spectrum of national youth organizations in the United States that share the NOYS commitment to youth safety and health. From the federal government, NOYS receives support and technical assistance from the Health Resources and Services Administration and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, both part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation; and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, part of the U.S. Department of Justice. National organization members include MADD, the BACCHUS Network, Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America, the Aspira Association, Students Against Destructive Decisions, and the March of Dimes. This diversity of membership, which also includes active youth representation, ensures that NOYS programs and events reach a range of youth populations that vary by race/ethnicity, income, gender, ability, and geographic location. In fact, NOYS reaches more than 80 million young people ages 5 to 24 and adult advisors and supervisors.[1]
NOYS members have participated in numerous collaborative efforts and activities to address critical health and safety issues. Some of these include the following:
- Replicable mentoring programs from member organizations. Examples include zero tolerance for underage drinking and driving, bullying prevention, and Internet safety.
- National events that focus on issues such as violence prevention, safe and sober New Year’s Eve activities, and campus/community speak outs.
- Mechanisms for federal agencies and nongovernment health and safety organizations to promote their health and safety initiatives and resources. Examples include the following:
- HBO/RADD documentary, "SMASHED: Toxic Tales of Teens and Alcohol" video and leaders’ guide.
- Stop Bullying Now! Campaign
- STOP the Violence.
- Over the Limit Under Arrest.
- Safe Spring Break.
- Safe Tribal Communities.
NOYS products include "Speak Out and Make NOYS," a health and safety awareness project planning kit, and "Make Your Parties Rock," a guide to safe and sober event planning. NOYS has also organized National Youth Traffic Safety Month, which will be observed in May 2007 and will launch a variety of youth-led campaigns to empower youth to support enforcement and traffic safety measures to save the lives of their peers. To promote this campaign, NOYS has unveiled a traffic safety toolkit, which includes key messages, project ideas, media templates, and more for interested communities to adapt to meet their particular interests and circumstances. For more information about NOYS, including links to these products and membership opportunities, visit http://www.noys.org/.
1 Spavone S. National Organizations for Youth Safety [personal communication] 2007 Mar 28.