Story in Brief
A tremendous number of Georgia teens engage in the high risk behaviors of smoking tobacco, underage drinking and abusing drugs. Georgia 4-H needed a positive youth development program to address these behaviors and impress upon the youth of Georgia the importance of healthy living and making good decisions. The Health Rocks! grant program provided funds and curriculum to address these needs. Health Rocks! is a wellness and life skills curriculum developed by National 4-H Council to reduce youth risk factors. The program focuses on positive youth development and life skills development as an approach to preparing young people to make healthy lifestyle choices. Health Rocks includes life skills such as decision making, critical thinking, and stress management is taught in a youth-adult partnership. The program promotes healthy lifestyle choices, targeting youth ages 8 to 16 To receive these grants, Georgia 4-H agreed to reach 9,000 youth. Although the grant is currently still ongoing, Georgia 4-H has already reached that goal and is moving well beyond that number.