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." - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman