Youth Dance
The DEAEF 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.
Founded/Pilot Program
The Youth Dance Program, now operated by the DEA Educational Foundation, was originally established in 1999.
In 2012 the DEA Educational Foundation acquired the program and branded it as the DEAEF Youth Dance Program. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and their field offices throughout the country support the program. The DEA Educational Foundation Youth Dance Program has grown to be one of the most successful after-school dance programs in the United States, positively influencing thousands of students each year by providing the healthy outlet of dance. Jill Roberts, founder and director of the DEAEF Youth Dance Program, is a former professional dancer and authority in after-school programs and drug education. She won the President’s Volunteer Service Award from President Obama in 2009, in part, because of the dance program and her commitment to kids.
The DEA Educational Foundation Youth Dance Program was piloted in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. in 2012 with 10 programs and has now reached 58 cities in the United States.
Curriculum
The DEAEF 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 asks student volunteers to try out movement 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 long-term study in dance. Students targeted to participate in the program are primarily in upper elementary and middle school years.
The program curriculum incorporates the DEA Educational Foundation’s anti-drug messages and themes such as: participating in positive alternatives to drugs and gang violence, the building of self-esteem, teamwork, resisting negative peer pressure, and focusing on positive health and attitude.
Program Staff
The YDP and several other DEAEF Youth Programs operating under the same model as the YDP could not be operated and managed without our dedicated staff.
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Jill L. Roberts
President & CEO/Youth Dance Program Founder
Read Full BioJill L. Roberts currently serves as the President and CEO for the DEA Educational Foundation overseeing the day-to-day operation and strategy for the DEAEF. Jill was the founder of the DEAEF Youth Dance Program and youth program model that was brought to the DEAEF in 2012.
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Michèle Morris
Training Director, DEAEF Youth Programs and Regional Manager
Read Full BioMichèle Morris has had the privilege of working with the DEAEF Youth Dance Program since the inception of its predecessor, the D.A.R.E. Dance Program in 2000.
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Christina Ruiz Pastras
Associate Director, DEAEF Youth Programs and Regional Manager
Read Full BioShe advocates for at-risk children and provides them with a safe space, mentors and a feeling of accomplishment through a drug free lifestyle and dance.
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Kiera Anderson
Youth Programs Consultant
Read Full BioShe has always been passionate about access to arts education, and has taught workshops and classes for young people since 2002.
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Meredith Liepelt
Evaluation, Media and Project Consultant
Read Full BioShe is CEO of Rising Star Publicity, has guided thousands of business leaders and entrepreneurs to unearth, execute, and communicate their big ideas.
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Cristine Dhimos
Regional Director
Read Full BioShe began her professional dance career with what was then called the Alvin Ailey Third Company and toured the West Indies performing in such ballets as Revelations and Blues Suite.
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Jodi Obeid
Regional Director
Read Full BioJodi is a dance educator who believes deeply in the mission of the program and that all children should have opportunities for movement and self-expression.
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Allison Tanaka
Regional Manager
Read Full BioShe has dedicated more than 20 years to working with nonprofit organizations and government agencies in multiple capacities ranging from program coordinator to development director.
2023-24 DEAEF YDP Cities
- Albuquerque, NM
- Albany, GA
- Allston, MA
- Ambler, PA
- Anchorage, AK
- Arlington, VA
- Athens, MI*
- Baltimore, MD
- Baton Rouge, LA
- Boston, MA*
- Camden, NJ*
- Carson, CA*
- Cary, NC
- Charleston, WV
- Chattanooga, TN
- Chicago, IL
- Cleveland, OH
- Columbus, OH*
- Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX*
- District Heights, MD
- Dorchester, MA*
- Eagle Rock, CA
- Española, NM
- Garyville, LA
- Harvey, LA
- Henderson, NV
- Houston, TX
- Jersey City, NJ*
- Kalamazoo, MI
- Kansas City, MO
- Kalamazoo, MI
- Kennett Square, PA
- King of Prussia, PA
- Las Vegas, NV
- Lauderdale Lakes, FL
- Lima, OH
- Los Angeles, CA
- Manchester, NH
- Memphis, TN
- Nambe, NM
- New Orleans, LA
- New York, NY
- Philadelphia, PA
- Phoenix, AZ*
- Pomona, CA
- Portland, ME
- Port Richie, FL
- Prescott, AZ
- Queens, NY*
- Quincy, MA
- Raleigh, NC
- Sacramento, CA*
- Salt Lake City, UT
- Santa Monica, CA
- South Dennis, MA*
- Spokane, WA
- Tampa, FL*
- Taos, NM
- Westwego, LA
- Wellpinit, WA
- West Toppenish, WA*
- West Chicago, IL
- Washington, DC
- Wilmington, DE*
* 2024 Projected Cities
2023 Partnered Dance Companies/Instructors
- Artivism Dance
- Ballet Legato
- Culture Shock Chicago
- Culture Shock Los Angeles
- Culture Shock Las Vegas
- Dancing Earth
- EmiArteFlamenco
- Equilibrium Dance
- Fearlyss Journey Movement
- Granite State Dance Company
- Hip Hop ConnXion
- Hip Hop Fundamentals
- Houston Ballet
- Lessons by Lexe
- Lyn’s Dance Academy
- Mosaic Dance
- Move with Joy
- Moving Arts Española
- Maureen Bersuder Dance Company*
- New Ballet Ensemble
- No Easy Props
- Owen Cox
- Pink Slipper Dance Studio
- Polynesian Association of Alaska
- Richmond Urban Dance
- River City Youth Ballet
- Samba Fogo
- New York City teaching artists and many individual professional artists from around the country
Local and National Program Sponsors
The DEA Educational Foundation is thankful to our national and local donors, fundraising platforms and sponsors since the start of the program in 2012. The following donors, whether one-year or multi year have allowed us to initiate and expand the program to reach youth nationwide.
- Ahmanson Foundation
- American Dance Movement
- Anchor Free
- Arts Council of Monterey
- Athleta
- CTBC Anti-Drug Educational Foundation
- DC Pay
- Dizzy Feet Foundation
- Eastern Bank
- Free Space
- Global Giving
- GE Foundation
- Gregory and EJ Milken Foundation
- General Mills Foundation
- Mason Hirst Foundation
- Our Gift of Light (Fancy Feet)
- Ravens Foundation
- Schneebeck Foundation
- Siouxland Community Foundation
- Target
- thalo
- Tulalip Cares
- University of Iowa Dance Club
- Walter and Shirley Wang/JM Eagle
- Wells Fargo Bank
*We also thank our numerous individuals that contribute each year as well as the chairs and participants of the One Step at a Time campaign that ran from 2018-2022.
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Partner
In FY2016, the DEAEF Youth Dance Program was selected as a community partner for the 360 Strategy, a national initiative piloted in four metropolitan areas by the Drug Enforcement Administration. The 360 Strategy was designed to be a holistic approach to combat the heroin and pharmaceutical opioid epidemic, as well as accompanying violence. The DEAEF Youth Dance Program recently fulfilled programs for this initiative, and is now working with DEA Operation Engage in 17 cities across the US, bringing multiple youth programs to communities in need of positive after-school activities for kids.
Your Support Is Needed
The DEAEF YDP is currently seeking funding for expansion to meet a waiting list of schools wanting to implement the Youth Dance Program. If you would like to be a part of our efforts to offer a positive alternative to kids, please contact us.
Nationwide Impact
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60 cities
DEAEF YDP reaches thousands of students throughout the nation
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50,000+
students impacted through assemblies, events, virtual programming and more
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28+
national community partners
