History

In 1995, Omaha was selected as one of five demonstration sites in the country to attempt to replicate a program out of the Washington, DC, area. Our community was selected by the National Association of Governors' Highway Safety Representatives (now the Governors' Highway Safety Association) in collaboration with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

A local community-based coalition was organized in the Omaha metro area early in the process, with individuals and organizations added to the coalition on an ongoing basis. Project Extra Mile became a statewide network of community coalitions in June 2001 and lead coalition activities in the following counties: Cedar, Dawson, Dodge, Douglas, Hall, Madison, Sarpy, Saunders, Scotts Bluff, Washington and Wayne. In 2012, the organization transitioned from having coalitions statewide to focusing on its community partnerships and providing technical assistance as these partnerships lead their own underage drinking prevention initiatives. The Omaha metro area coalition continues to meet monthly.