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.

In Erie County, The 4-H CARTEENS program began in 2007. Program partners include: Ohio State University Extension's 4-H Youth Development program, the Erie County Juvenile Court, Sandusky Post of the State Highway Patrol, and Firelands Regional Medical Center. 

For more information about 4-H CARTEENS, visit www.ohio4h.org/4-h-youth/teens/carteens.