The PHASTjv Youth Council is dedicated to fostering greater public awareness of the dangers of tobacco use while also providing an opportunity for members to participate in school and community activities designed to promote healthy lifestyles. The program's goal is to aggressively educate students through peer presentations, campus activities and various tobacco-use prevention campaigns such as Red Ribbon Week. There are 25 active junior high youth councils in Stanislaus County. Through these councils, youths will acquire and apply valuable leadership skills, interact with experts in the areas of community service and tobacco education and establish relationships with a diverse group of peers.