>>Female Speake ave you ever seen a ripple effect? Communities across the country are becoming a part of one. Young person by young person we're creating a new norm for the next generation. A generation that experiences respectful, safe, and healthy relationships. Communities are teaming with local health departments and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to empower youth to have healthy relationships before they start dating. Because if we start teaching the basics to youth now, we lay the ground work for healthy relationships as adults. A healthy relationships is built on respect and free of violence. When approximately 10 percent of students nationwide reported being physically hurt by a boyfriend or a girlfriend during the past year, we know that something needs to be done to stop teen dating violence before it starts. Dating Matter trategies to help promote healthy teen relationships, is one way urban communities are working together to promote respectful non-violent dating relationships among youth. Developed by experts and scientists, Dating Matters uses health programs that have proven successful with youth and takes an all around approach to engage the whole community in helping youth embrace and build healthy relationships now and in the future. Dating Matters reaches youth in the many settings where relationships take place. Engaging youth at school and through peers, we reach them where they learn and play using voices they know and trust. Engaging families, we provide parents with the skills to talk about dating relationships with their kids and practice healthy relationships themselves. Engaging schools, we empower our teachers to know warning signs and work with their students to understand the value of healthy relationships. And engaging the community we create an environment where healthy relationships grow and dating violence is not okay. Engaging youth, family, schools, and the community, we build a surround sound effect that strengthens our message and serves as a foundation for youth before they start dating. Dating Matters is designed to evolve as the worlds of youth change, communities transform, and opportunities are identified to build on the positive values of each community. Youth and safe healthy relationships are more likely to do well in school, and are less likely to be involved in other risky behaviors like youth violence and substance use. By bringing the community together to build a foundation for healthy relationships, dating Matters will create a ripple effect throughout their lives and the community. Together we can create a healthy and safe future for our youth. Join in with your community, visit CDC.gov/violenceprevention/datingmatters.