2008 State Grant Health Rocks! Training Workshop March 14 – 16, 2008 Eagle Ridge Conference Center, Raymond, MS

Eagle Ridge Conference Center

What is Health Rocks? Health Rocks! is the leader's curriculum for an ambitious project for 8- to 12- year-olds undertaken by National 4-H Council. The goal of the program is to bring communities across the United States together to reduce youth, tobacco, alcohol and illicit drug usage. 4-H has worked for decades to help youth develop skills that serve them for life. Some of these skills, such as communicating with others and relating to change and dealing with stress, help youth as they seek to develop the internal strength to resist risky behaviors. We feel a prevention program built upon the strong foundations of life-skill development and decision-making results in a program that truly reduces youth tobacco and drug use. Kids who have personal social skills and competencies are more resistant to substance use. Ultimately, we want children who are forming their opinions about tobacco, alcohol and drug use to take healthy control of these choices and not make them because of peer pressure, stress or other emotional factors.

Health Rocks! uses experientially- based activities, with participants learning how to do the following: Understand tobacco and drug use Take control of their choices Make decisions based on solid information Build enduring youth/adult partnerships to address healthy lifestyle choices

The program curriculum is divided into six chapters: Keeping Kids Healthy Oh the Pressure The Media Speak You Choose! STRESS: Strategies to Reduce Every Single Struggle Commitment to Care

Team Building & Implications Activity Rae Addison & Charlie Champagne

Look Who’s Teaching Segment Joe, Health Rocks! Instructor & Professor at Ohio State University

Health Rocks! College Student Instructors Erin Gabriel & Andrea

Youth and Adult Partnerships Activity