“How to Communicate so Teens Listen!” Kathleen Zimmerman-Oster, PhD Event Evaluation

About the Event Thursday August 28, total participants Learning objectives: To enhance the cultural competency skills of prevention professionals. To better understand today’s teens and to learn how to communicate (about underage drinking and drinking and driving) so teens will listen.

The information I learned will help me achieve my professional goals (N=28)

This session was well planned and organized (N=28)

The presenter used methods appropriate to my needs (N=27)

The presenter communicated effectively (N=28)

My time was well spent in this session today (N=28)

Because of today’s session, I have a better understanding of the concepts of prejudice, stereotypes, & discrimination and their impact on working with teens (N=28)

Because of today’s session, I have a better understanding of the diversity in the Metro Detroit area (N=28)

Because of today’s session, I feel more culturally competent (N=28)

Because of today’s session, I have a better understanding of Generation Y and Z (N=28)

Because of today’s session, I have a better understanding of how to improve teen driving (N=28)

Because of today’s session, I have a better understanding of how to reduce teen drinking and driving (N=28)

Because of today’s workshop, I have a better understanding of how to communicate with teens (N=28)

Because of today’s workshop, I feel more comfortable working with teens (N=28)

Because of today’s workshop I have a better understanding of how culture impacts communication with teens (N=28)

Because of today’s workshop, I have a better understanding of teens and technology (N=28)

What were the key learning points for you today? Communication strategies (4 mentions) Statistics (3 mentions) Kids are different nowadays and require a different approach Demographic percentages Tips on talking to teens Gen Y info Empathy Being a good fit Parents are role models and need to understand teens/where they’re coming from

What were the key learning points for you today? (Continued) Tools presented - perception checking, emotional coaching were interesting. All the diversity in our area and how much people gained from moving here and how much they lost or left behind. I learned the most from the CV video and new stats. Just to be more familiar with technology - know their language. I do believe this group could use more information on what this generation is. It was a good overview, but more information would have been better. Brain development in teens. Meet them on an emotional level rather than logical.

How will you use what you learned today to impact your (prevention) work Help to recognize issues and interests with kids. Working with teens in schools can use information learned in Gen Y to help them get the message. Can use communication and all stat info in parenting groups for parents of teens. Respecting, Listening to young adults. Can show teens DVD I received on safe driving. Youth and technology. I will continue to use the same strategies- I was right on target. To better communicate with teens, gain their trust, and use internet resources to better inform me.

How will you use what you learned today to impact your (prevention) work (Continued) I don’t think I will even though I enjoyed the seminar. It’s stuff my group does. Finding the emotional hook to the prevention message. Reinforcing consequences and the law and reminding parents how effective they really are. Find their emotional state and teach to that for impulse control.

What other information of follow up assistance would you like to have? Anything new that you find. This is the population I feel most comfortable with. I would like more of the later presentation- the first half was too long and more like a review- you are a great presenter, and how you present was very effective. Go more in depth of issues teens deal with and better ways for us to talk with them. Cultural competence specific to African Americans.

Is there any information you would like to share with the presenter? I could have done without the first icebreaker/group exercise. You are good! Every time I am with you I feel richer for the experience. Just that I am part of Generation Y and its awesome to see you trying to understand and respect us. There are a lot of great people in Generation Y that really do care and want their parents approval/respect. Personal stories from family were helpful. Focus less on parental info with professional group.

Is there any information you would like to share with the presenter? (Continued) It was very good and really helpful information personally and professionally for work with the youth. Although I enjoyed the presentation, I feel as though teens have been “sugar coated” in your presentation and that some of the “slacker” personality they have is because we allow them to be that way. I understand that we should give or kids more than what we got, but I also feel that they should have to work for it. Please update your info- stats from 1994 are not compelling. Need more time for presentation.