Comprehensive Health Education Foundation Launches "Act On It!" to Recognize Washingtons Youth

Comprehensive Health Education Foundation (C.H.E.F.), one of the nations leaders in health promotion and prevention education, announced the introduction of Act On It!, a collaborative effort with the Washington State Partnership for Youth (WSPY) to recognize the strengths and contributions of youth throughout the state.

SEATTLE, WA November 9, 2004--Comprehensive Health Education Foundation (C.H.E.F.), one of the nations leaders in health promotion and prevention education, announced the introduction of Act On It!, a collaborative effort with the Washington State Partnership for Youth (WSPY) to recognize the strengths and contributions of youth throughout the state.

Act On It!, which officially launches this week, will seek written nominations from youth, aged eleven to eighteen, who have made a difference in their communities within Washington State. Available online at www.chef.org, the downloadable nomination form provides an opportunity for young people to write about any contributions they have made as individuals or in groups to help others or their communities in meaningful ways. All submitted nomination forms will be recognized with a certificate of appreciation, and will also be entered into a prize drawing. In addition, stories from the nomination forms will be published in the Washington Healthy Youth Plan that is currently being developed by the Washington State Partnership for Youth.

According to Lori Stern, Director of School-Aged Youth at C.H.E.F., as a member of the steering committee for the Washington State Partnership for Youth, we are delighted to be a part of this new program to acknowledge and reward the many wonderful contributions that are made by young people throughout our state. We at Comprehensive Health Education Foundation, a non-profit organization focused on the health and well-being of people of all ages, fully support the mission of the Washington State Partnership for Youth which envisions a Washington where all youth are nurtured, supported and empowered to realize their full individual potential.

The Washington State Partnership for Youth came into existence as a result of a summit of leaders across Washington supporting the need to create a state plan for healthy adolescents. This group of agencies, organizations, schools, policy makers and individuals (including youth) share a belief in the importance of youth for Washingtons future.

Founded in 1974 and celebrating its 30th Anniversary year, Seattle-based Comprehensive Health Education Foundation (C.H.E.F.) is dedicated to promoting health and quality of life through education, addressing such important topics as substance abuse, violence, HIV / AIDS, smoking, obesity, and other unhealthy behaviors. As a nationally-known non-profit organization, C.H.E.F. develops numerous programs which have been proven effective by the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP), and is also the developer of the Heres Looking at You curriculum, the most widely used K-12 drug prevention curriculum in the country, the Youth Matters curriculum, and the Social Beginnings early childhood program.

For more information about C.H.E.F., call 1.800.323.2433, or visit www.chef.org.

###