MAPS (The MAPS Media Institute) Signs A New Client

The MAPS Media Institute http://www.mediarts.org , and its 14 – 18 year old filmmakers, has acquired a new client, the Ravalli County Public Health Department.

MAPS is a unique program that combines education and real business experience for Ravalli County high school students. After the students learn how to create and produce commercials, documentaries and websites, they actually have the opportunity to use their new skills for clients in a professional setting.

Founded in 2004, MAPS is a true public/private partnership. Its parent company, the Florence Prever Rosten Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit and a licensed education agency (LEA) committed to engaging underserved rural, often at-risk, youth with resultant positive academic, behavioral and economic outcomes for those served.

Funding for the program comes from public, private and fee-based sources. For example: the 21st Century Learning Centers awarded MAPS a five year, $575,000 grant. Private foundation support includes: the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation, Scripps-Howard Foundation, Steele-Reese Foundation, Change Happens Foundation et al. Public support, combined with private foundation grants and outside client revenues, enables MAPS to offer its curriculum to students at no cost.

MAPS mission to create jobs for high school youth came to fruition in 2005. Its first client, the Ravalli County DUI Task Force, hired Corvallis high school MAPS students to produce two “Don’t drink and Drive” public service announcements. The spots continued to run on statewide Montana television for three ears. Other clients followed including Marcus Daly Hospital, the Montana Student Assistance Foundation, the Montana Tobacco Prevention program and the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.

“I’m really, really proud of our kids; they are truly talented young filmmakers. Having clients is a unique experience for them and a valuable asset for us. For students, it is an early introduction to the real world of business; for MAPS, it is our eventual pathway to financial self-sustainability.” Said MAPS President, Peter Rosten:

Over the years MAPS, “the little program with big results”, has also received national press in “Fortune Small Business Magazine” and the “American School Board Journal”. This month, the United States Department of Education said: “We enjoyed reading the news article on how the MAPS program has been successful in teaching students the art of filmmaking. The fact that they are performing well in other core subjects as a result of this program is impressive and encouraging.” Edith Harvey, Director, Improvement Programs, D.O.E.

Regarding their latest client: The Ravalli County Public Health Department has admired the professional work of MAPS students for several years and has always wanted to work with them

This new assignment addresses health issues for citizens of Ravalli County and the project will unfold in two phases: Phase One, create a focus group and subsequently survey Ravalli County citizens to determine their opinions concerning immunization, preventative healthcare, family planning etc. And then, based on the data collected, produce a 30 second PSA about these issues and county healthcare services that are readily available.

Phase two is a 10 – 12 minute documentary outlining the health benefits – often for free – offered by the RCDH. “We continue to have declining immunization rates in Ravalli County as well as throughout Montana. Public Health wants to determine specific reasons why parents and adults are not being immunized. The Public Health Department also wants to determine what influences these decisions and whether parents and adults realize the impact of not immunizing.” Said Judy Griffin, RN, Ravalli County Public Health Director

MAPS also announced the addition of its latest team member, Jeremy Sauter. Currently, Jeremy is a marketing and advertising consultant for Paramount pictures; his most recent campaign is “How to Train Your Dragon”. A University of Montana graduate, Jeremy will consult on all current and future MAPS campaign. Says Peter Rosten: “Jeremy’s expertise in market research and analysis adds a huge component to our services. He’s a great guy and our students love him.”

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Contact: Peter Rosten (MAPS)

(406)370-3745

Judy Griffin (RC Dept. of Health)

(406) 375-6675

PHOTOS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST