Power of Parents, It’s Your Influence
By
MADD
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March 4, 2012
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Filed in:
Power of Parents
,
Underage Drinking
![](https://secure2.convio.net/madd/images/content/pagebuilder/MADDPOParents.gif?t=1330965977931")
Parental influence is the most important factor in helping keep teens safe. That’s why MADD launched the Power of Parents, It’s Your Influence® program. The goal of this program is to educate parents about the dangers of underage drinking and give them the tools they need to start talking with their kids about alcohol. The program has two major parts:
- A website for parents that includes information and tips based on the best available research, along with access to a free parent handbook.
- Free parent workshops to equip parents with strategies for having these potentially life-saving conversations.
The Power of Parents program can reach parents across the country with its proven strategies to help reduce underage drinking by as much as 30 percent. In fact, in 2011, MADD reached one parent every thirty minutes to help them talk with their teen about alcohol.
April 21, PowerTalk 21® day, is the national day for parents to start talking with their kids about alcohol. Each year, we focus on reaching as many parents as possible, with the vision that April 21st will become widely known as the day to talk about kids and alcohol. In preparation for PowerTalk21, parents can get tips and conversation starters, download the parent handbook and find a free 30-minute parent workshop at www.madd.org/powertalk21.
MADD knows that informed, caring parents can make a difference, and we’re here to help. Together, we can save lives that might otherwise be lost as a result of underage drinking.
MADD Appoints Debbie Weir as Chief Executive Officer
By
MADD
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March 2, 2012
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Filed in:
General
We are excited to announce that Debbie Weir has been named MADD's new Chief Executive Officer. Debbie joined MADD in 2002 as the Vice President of Victims Services, providing support and guidance to the MADD field and to drunk driving victims. Under her leadership, the number of victims MADD serves each year has more than doubled—now serving one victim every nine minutes. Debbie also created and launched the 1-877-MADD-HELP victim support line where specialists are available 24-hours-a-day to answer calls and provide emotional support.
In 2005, Debbie was promoted to Chief Operating Officer where she oversaw field operations, fundraising, volunteer and program development, in addition to victim advocacy and support.
"I am honored by the opportunity to lead MADD, which has achieved so much in changing the way our country looks at traffic fatality and injury prevention by showing that there are real people behind the statistics,” Debbie said. "With a focus on advocating for proven data-based countermeasures, our staff and volunteers, some of whom are victims and survivors of drunk driving crashes, have helped save hundreds of thousands of lives, and our ongoing Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving and underage drinking prevention programs will help us save even more lives."
"Debbie knows the heart and soul of what makes MADD work," said MADD National President Jan Withers, who lost a 15-year-old daughter in a drunk driving/underage drinking crash and serves as the organization's principal spokesperson. "Her compassion and dedication to victims and to the pursuit of eliminating drunk driving fatalities are a perfect fit."
For more information you can read the full press release or Debbie’s bio.
Jan Harp Domene
By
MADD
|
March 1, 2012
|
Filed in:
General
It is with a heavy heart that we inform you of the sudden and unexpected passing of MADD National Board Member Jan Harp Domene, on Tuesday, February 28, 2012. Jan was a tireless advocate for children as well as a great champion for MADD, and the school district and city of Anaheim.
A veteran advocate for parent involvement in youth education and safety, Jan served as National PTA (Parent Teacher Association) President from 2007 to 2009. She lived in Anaheim, Calif., where she owned and operated Domene's Consulting, an event and party planning company.
During her years with PTA, Jan facilitated collaborative partnerships with many education, health, safety and child advocacy groups. As a mother and grandmother, Jan championed meaningful parent and family involvement as the most effective way to raise healthy, successful children.
Jan is survived by her husband, Greg, her three married children, five grandchildren and three foster grandchildren. We offer the Domene family our deepest and most heartfelt condolences. She will be greatly missed.
