Pubdate: Sun, 13 Aug 2006
Source: Des Moines Register (IA)
Copyright: 2006 The Des Moines Register.
Contact:  http://desmoinesregister.com/index.html
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/123

AWARD CONTRACTS FAIRLY

What Is SMART Moves?

SMART Moves (for Skills Mastery and Resistance Training) is a 
research-based program that teaches youngsters skills to avoid 
high-risk behaviors, such as drug use, said Sam Carrell, executive 
director of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Iowa.

A Boys & Girls Clubs of America Web page describes SMART Moves this way:

"More than simply emphasizing a 'Say No' message, the program teaches 
young people ages 6-15 how to say no by involving them in discussion 
and role-playing, practicing resistance and refusal skills, 
developing assertiveness, strengthening decision-making skills and 
analyzing media and peer influence. The ultimate goal: to promote 
abstinence from substance abuse and adolescent sexual involvement 
through the practice of responsible behavior."

To implement the program, the Legislature gave the Iowa Alliance of 
Boys & Girls Clubs $188,699 for the budget year that ended June 30.

The money helped pay to train staff in Iowa's nine clubs to conduct 
the program, but did not cover the program's entire cost, Carrell 
said. The clubs are in Adair, Ames, Carter Lake, Cedar Rapids, 
Davenport, Des Moines, Dubuque, Sioux City and Waterloo.

Dave Klinkenborg, director of operations for Boys & Girls Clubs of 
Central Iowa, said the curriculum typically is presented in 12 
one-hour classes. Some clubs presented the program during school. 
Others met after school.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa served as administrator for the 
contract, receiving $17,000 to do so. The organization had to present 
a detailed program proposal for approval to the Iowa Department of 
Public Health, and the program was monitored and evaluated, Carrell said.

Mark Messenbaugh, director of government relations for Boys & Girls 
Clubs of America, said other groups could have approached the 
Legislature for funding.

"It [the SMART Moves legislation] was written with us in mind, but 
anybody could have applied for that money just as we did. I really do 
believe that was the case," said Messenbaugh, who added that SMART 
Moves is a high-quality program proven to work.

His organization did not want to prevent competition; it just wanted 
to win the dollars based on proper objectives, he said.

The bill "set some difficult hurdles, but we are not the only group 
that can meet some of those hurdles," Messenbaugh said. "I really do 
support competition."
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman