SOW-_youth_dance_program.pdf

Statement of Work

DEA 360 Strategy - Year 4 - DEA Youth Dance Program and Youth Martial Arts Program

Goal:

To support DEA's 360 Strategy in Year 4 by expanding the DEA Youth Dance Program in the cities of New

Orleans, LA; Los Angeles, CA; Cleveland, OH; South Boston/New Bedford, MA; Tampa, FL; and Flagstaff, AZ and deploy the pilot Youth Martial Arts Program in Los Angeles - all to provide alternative, positive afterschool activities for the cities' youth.

Background:

The DEA Youth Dance Program, a part of the DEA Educational Foundation, was established to empower kids by providing a free and positive afterschool alternative to drugs through the fun, healthy, and expressive art form of dance. By incorporating the DEA Youth Dance Program into the 360 communities listed above, local residents will be exposed to a long-term positive and healthy program for children between the critical hours of 3:00-6:00 pm when children often do not have supervision. In addition, the program also provides community-wide positive messaging about the need to focus on healthy behaviors and avoid drug use in partnership with the local DEA field offices, schools, and local dance companies.

Curriculum:

The DEA Youth Dance Program begins at a participating school with an assembly led by a professional dance company. The professional company demonstrates different styles of dance to appropriate musical choices, speaks to the students as role-models and the importance of staying drug free, and asks student volunteers to try out movements during the performance hour. Students then may elect to register for a free 20-week dance class series led by a professional dance instructor. At the end of the series, students perform in a community or school performance setting, bringing family and other students together. Finally, students are encouraged to apply for scholarships at a local studio for the long-term study in dance. Students targeted to participate in the program are primarily in upper elementary and middle school years.

The program curriculum shall incorporate DEA's anti-drug messages and themes such as: participating in positive alternatives to drugs and gang violence, building self-esteem, teamwork, resisting negative peer pressure, and focusing on positive health and attitudes.

Proposed Period of Performance: November 2018 to November 2019