The program focuses on positive youth development and life skills development as an approach to preparing young people to make healthy lifestyle choices. The overall program focuses on community action. The critical goal is to reduce youth smoking and use of other tobacco products by youth. Philip Morris USA underwrites the program through National 4-H Council.

The program/curriculum emphasizes the development of life skills that promote healthy lifestyle choices, targeting youth ages 8-12. This is an experiential-based train-the-trainer curriculum that focuses on decision making. The design focuses on application in out-of-school environments such as youth groups, clubs, camps, day camps and after-school programs.

Objective: Mississippi State University Extension Service (MSUES), a land grant university located in Starkville, MS, is seeking proposals to identify demonstration sites comprised of youth and adults in partnership. Mississippi State University Extension Service 4-H seeks nationwide and diverse geographical representation. Demonstration Sites will implement the nationally developed Health Rocks! Program from July 29, 2004 through December 10, 2004. Each Demonstration Site will be trained and supported by MSU-ES 4-H.

Funding: Demonstration Sites will be provided funding of up to $1,000. This includes up to $500 for supplies and $500 awarded upon delivery of 6 lessons and submission of the final report. Training costs include travel, meals, and lodging for one adult leader and two teen leaders per Demonstration Site. These costs will be paid by MSUES. All Demonstration Sites must attend the training workshop and must have Internet access for the purpose of reporting. Indirect (overhead) expenses will not be funded.

Please keep in mind the following when constructing your proposal:

--Leadership and Management:
-Staffing
-Development and marketing of programs

--Implementation
-Plan of Action

ALL PROGRAM CURRICULA AND INCENTIVE ITEMS WILL BE PROVIDED AT NO CHARGE TO DEMONSTRATION SITES.

General Conditions: Acceptance of a proposal neither commits Mississippi State University Extension Service 4-H to award a contract, even if all requirements stated in the RFP are met, nor limits our right to negotiate in our best interests.

EXPECTATIONS AND CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF DEMONSTRATION SITES

In your narrative please address the following:

1. The ability to initiate Health Rocks! within your area during the upcoming year of the program July 29, 2004 through December 10, 2004. Please clearly define the target area.

2. The ability to establish and maintain effective channels of communication with Mississippi State University Extension Service 4-H and any other entities deemed responsible for facilitating the flow of information between MSUES 4-H and demonstration sties. Such entities might include, but are not limited to Tufts University or evaluation teams groups established by MSUES 4-H.

3. Each Demonstration Site will be required to send three people (two teen mentors between the ages of 14-18 and one adult) to a training workshop with Mississippi State University Extension Service 4-H on July 29-31, 2004. This training will cover marketing and training of the program/curriculum. Mississippi State University Extension Service 4-H will provide travel expenses of participating in the training workshop. Additional training workshop information may be obtained at http://msucares.com/4h_Youth/health_rocks/index.html

Overview of website at National Council is: http://www.healthrocks.org

4. Each Demonstration Site will be responsible for maintaining web internet access for the purpose of submitting monthly reports via an established web-based reporting system.

Please respond specifically to the following criteria:

1. Demographic information

2. Describe experience in:

a. Program delivery to youth populations.

b. Programs implementing youth-adult partnerships.

3. Design an Implementation plan that includes:

a. Description of the planned demonstration site(s).

b. Timeline

c. Number of youth who will be reached

d. Number of adults, and organizations that will be involved.

e. Provide detailed information on how teen mentors will partner with adults in the development and management of the demonstration site.

If you are a 4-H program (club, county, district or state), then include a message from your County Extension Director and/or State 4-H Leader confirming their knowledge that the proposal is being submitted.

4. A budget narrative. Demonstration Sites may include expenses materials and supplies. Indirect expenses (overhead) will not be funded. All program curricula, incentive items, and training expenses for national workshop will be provided at no additional cost.

How to Submit Information: Submit original of all proposal materials in this order on or before 5:00 p.m. CST, June 29, 2004 to:

Dr. Susan Holder, State Program Leader
4-H Youth Development
Box 9601
204 Bost Extension Center
Extension Drive
Mississippi State, MS 39762
Phone: 662.325.3352
E-mail: susanh@ext.msstate.edu

E-mail or hardcopies are acceptable. (Please be advised that we do have server challenges this month, and we will be acknowledging all proposals with an e-mail message.)

Format Requirements

--Maximum of six (6) pages
--12-point font
--1? margins
--Double-spaced

1. Summary overview of your approached to this project.

2. Outline of Action Plan

3. Short Vita of key implementation leader.

4. Budget and budget narrative.

5. If you are a 4-H program (club, county, district or state), then include a message from your County Extension Director and/or State 4-H Leader confirming their knowledge that the proposal is being submitted.

6. Any other information you think would be beneficial to our review of your information.

Proposals Due: June 29, 2004

Questions regarding the Request for Proposal are encouraged and should be submitted in writing to Dr. Susan Holder (susanh@ext.msstate.edu) or by fax 662.325.8407.