Applications from teens being accepted for MyPI Mississippi County Program

CHARLESTON, Mo. — For the first time, Mississippi County is offering the “MyPI” program to its teenagers.

MyPI, or Missouri Youth Preparedness Initiative, is a three-time national award-winning youth preparedness, leadership and educational outreach program for teenagers, aged 13-18, across Missouri. Applications from Mississippi County teens are now being accepted.

“This is a great kick-start to a career in public safety, emergency management or in the medical field,” said Amber Childers, Mississippi County engagement specialist in community economic development.

Participants in the program will receive Community Emergency Response Team, or CERT, Training certification, CPR/AED Certification, complete the PREP +6 Community Service Project and gain valuable hands-on experience to prepare them for a successful future, according to Childers.

The University of Missouri Emergency management director received a grant through State Farm to fund instructor training and training supplies for the program, which was developed at Mississippi State and is still run in partnership with them, Childers said.

Childers said MyPI Mississippi County emerges from a partnership between the Mississippi County Sheriff’s Office, Mississippi County Emergency Management, Charleston Department of Public Safety, MU Extension in Mississippi County, Mississippi County Caring Communities, Susanna Wesley Family Learning Center and other local businesses, organizations and agencies. The particular cohort is specific to Mississippi County residents, Childers said.

“This is the second round of grant-funded trainings that the University of Missouri is pushing,” Childers said. “When I learned of the opportunity, I felt that it would be very beneficial to Mississippi County, as well as a great addition to the trauma informed schools initiative.”

The MyPI Program allows us to train initial responders that will be inside the schools, if the need ever arises, to identify and stabilize critical injuries until emergency medical services can reach the schools.  

“This program also allows students to work with community members to expand disaster preparedness awareness and help provide disaster preparedness kits for some families, Childers said.

MU Extension in Mississippi County will also be accepting donations for the disaster preparedness kits, she said.

Individuals and/or businesses can donate monetary donations or the following supplies to help build disaster preparedness kits: water (bottled or gallon); non-perishable food; battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both; flashlight and extra batteries; first aid kit; whistle to signal for help; filter mask or cotton t-shirt, to help filter the air; moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation; wrench or pliers to turn off utilities; manual can opener if kit contains canned food; and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place.

Anyone interested in participating, or sponsoring, this program outside of Mississippi County, contact Childers at 573-683-6129 or by email at achilders@missouri.edu.

For more information, or to apply for the program, students should contact their school counselor or the MU Extension office in Mississippi County. Students can submit an online application at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScTN2Qm1uMS4j5Z7LuLxSfJcNJ_m2eK3Qj4-D649qw2f9DcqQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

For more information about, MyPI, visit https://mypimissouri.org/