Progress 09/01/14 to 08/31/18
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience is Colorado farmers and ranchers with disabilities and the professionals who address their needs. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?CAP provided nine workshops and four refereed journal articles and a regional workshop with 35 attendees in Ft. Collins. CAP hosted the 2016 National Training Workshop in Fort Collins. Colorado's own Dusty Franklin was included in NAP's "25 Years, 25 Stories." CAP provided professional development on our QOL and ILW level program evaluation results with 191 new AgrAbility clients in 10 SRAPs at NTW in Rochester, NY and at the NAP Advisory Committee meeting in Indianapolis. CAP also provided behavioral health professional development to National Association for Rural Mental Health in Honolulu, HI. CAP provided professional development on our QOL and ILW level AgrAbility treatment-no-treatment comparison group differences with 225 new AgrAbility clients from 12 SRAPs at NTW in Knoxville, TN on March 21, 2017 (Fetsch & NAPEC, 2017). CAP also involved 27 colleagues at NTW in Knoxville, TN on March 21, 2017 in brainstorming telephone interview questions for a new case studies project to drill down and discover who gains the most and least from AgrAbility and what works best to enhance our clients' QOL and ILW levels (Fetsch, Tidwell, & Jinnah, 2017). CAP provided professional development on our most recent QOL and ILW behavioral health level AgrAbility treatment versus no-treatment comparison group differences with 269 AgrAbility participants in 14 states. AgrAbility participants' mental/behavioral health levels improved significantly (p < .001) as compared with no change in a no-treatment comparison group (n = 99) (Fetsch & Collins, 2018). How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?CAP disseminated these results locally and across Colorado through education, networking, and marketing. Fetsch presented these results in five workshops at NAP National Training Workshops, two with the NAP Advisory Team, and one at the National Association for Rural Mental Health. Jim Craig provided training at NTW for national staff on legal aspects, legacy planning, and farming as big business. Colleagues and Fetsch published four AgrAbility articles in the Journal of Extension, the Disability and Health Journal, and Medical Research Archives, and have two more in preparation. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Between September 1, 2014 and August 31, 2018 CAP accomplished the following. Through education, CAP offered 32 and provided 26 three-four-hour winter workshops on business and financial planning to 139 agricultural producers and 112 professionals. CAP participated in eXtension professional development activities and coursework. In 2015-2018, of participants who completed and returned evaluations immediately following the workshops (N = 105 producers and 84 professionals), 98.1% (103/105) producers and 100% (84/84) professionals reported increased knowledge. 100% producers and professionals planned to use the information. 98.1% (103/105) producers and 100% professionals reported increased satisfaction levels with AgrAbility. 90.5% (95/105) producers and 97.6% (82/84) professionals wanted their tax dollars to continue supporting AgrAbility. CAP also assessed medium-range results by mailing initial letters and surveys plus reminders to non-respondents with a modified Dillman method to identify enduring change in attitudes and behaviors. In 2015-2018, based on surveys completed and returned by 71 ranchers and farmers with a 67.6% response rate (71/105) 113-365 days following (M = 204.4) the workshops and 61 professionals with a 72.6% response rate (61/84)110-350 days following (M = 208.11) the workshops, 95.8% (68/71) producers and 98.4% (60/61) professionals reported increased knowledge. 90.1% (64/71) producers and 95.1% (58/61) professionals reported improved attitude/outlook. 87.3% (62/71) producers and 83.6% (51/61) professionals reported improved behaviors. 90.1% (64/71) producers and 91.8% (56/61) professionals reported increased satisfaction levels with AgrAbility. 95.8% (68/71) producers and 98.4% (60/61) professionals wanted their tax dollars to continue supporting AgrAbility. Continued funding is crucial to support Extension AgrAbility programs that work. 91-96% of producers with disabilities and 98% of professionals who participated in AgrAbility educational workshops reported, "Yes, I want my tax dollars to continue to support AgrAbility." CAP worked with 548 Colorado families during the past 20 years (1999-2018). They often report, "If not for AgrAbility, I would not still be farming!" Through networking, CAP initiated a major new objective to reach veterans in new ways by networking with county veteran service officers, 20 veteran agencies, 12 veterans' offices, Colorado Department of Veterans of Foreign Wars, Veterans' Administration, United Veterans Committee of Colorado, National Guard Association, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), American Legion of Colorado, Paralyzed Vets of America, Department of Military and Veteran Affairs (DMVA), Rehabilitation and Re-employment Department, Deputy Director of the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E), Veterans Integrated Service Network, and Vet-Met Rehabilitation and Employment group. GID provided an electronic newsletter to 440,000 Colorado veterans and two newsletters to the American Observer Magazine reaching 40,000 veterans. CAP networked with the Colorado FSA and national leaders, National Conservation and Resource Services, Colorado Rural Health Expo and Training, Farm Bureau, and sat on the Colorado Ag Council. CAP networked with Mental/Behavioral Health Centers statewide and outreached to University of Colorado Behavioral Health Department, Rural Track, School of Medicine, Colorado AHEC, and Anschutz Behavioral Health Science. CAP made seven outreach visits to Craig Rehabilitation Hospital, and provided consultation with CO, ID, KS, MT, NE, NM, and UT consumers. CAP strengthened its relationship with Colorado DVR by providing self-employment training, including six counselors on site visits, and working with new counselors. GID provided DVR with 30 Farm/Ranch Assessments and 11 Business Consultations and billed DVR for 8 AT Farm or Ranch Assessments @ $61/hour and 4 Business Consultations @ $65/hour for a total of $5,855 in Year 3 = $23,938. DVR Self Employment Specialist, Mary Chacho, remains active on our CAP Advisory Committee. CSUE enhanced relationships between CSUE Agents, 4-H coordinators, especially new agents with an electronic newsletter, and other agricultural providers by providing winter workshops in several new locations. CAP also networked with NRCS, FFA, and Young Farmers, Colorado rural health workers, farmers, and service providers. GID communicated with CSU's OT department to create rehabilitation internships and practica for graduate students. We provided two Level I internships. CSUE and GID engaged Advisory Committee members on 4/18/17 and 8/28/17 in promoting and marketing CAP to other agencies and organizations to increase the number of referrals and to find financial resources in order to employ more professional team members to serve clients' needs. Fetsch measured CAP's success at enhancing new clients' Quality of Life (QOL) levels and ability to remain in their homes and operate their farms/ranches with the McGill QOL survey and assisted 16 other SRAPs to do the same. The NAP Evaluation Committee (NAPEC) provided 8 workshop presentations at national meetings and 5 published articles in refereed journals. Fetsch and NAPEC are providing empirical evidence of AgrAbility's effectiveness in 14 states. Through assistance, CAP provided information, education, service, technical assistance, and individual consultation. Between September 1, 2014 and August 31, 2018, CAP provided direct services to 424 clients and completed 342 on-site visits with Colorado farmers/ranchers including 62 veterans, >94 new clients, and 7 re-opened clients. The total number of AgrAbility clients served was 273 during years 3 and 4. GID continued to operate its successful financial program with corporate and individual donations that works with CAP clients, called PARTNERS (Persons in Agriculture Receive Technology Needs, Education, and Resource Solutions) by awarding up to $2,000/client. CAP enhanced its sustainability. CAP received $40,000 from DMVA to assist veteran clients plus $40,000 a second year. CAP received $9,000 supplement from NIFA. CAP received $14,000 from the Dana and Christopher Reeves Foundation to educate 75 people with SCI and to establish three peer support groups, $17,000 from the DAV, plus $20,000 from the Spaulding Foundation. CSU's Alpha Gamma Rho donated $4,170. Dalsted worked with CSUE Extension Director, Dr. Lou Swanson, and three Regional Directors who pledged $40,000/year support for 2019-2022. CAP developed and strengthened its relationship with USDA, NIFA, and CAP by participating annually in National Training Workshops. Through marketing CAP increased targeted audiences' awareness of CAP and referrals with its CSU College of Agriculture website, public appearances with displays, program awareness materials, press releases, public service announcements, brochures, news releases, enhanced Web pages of CAP and its initiatives, an online newsletter to 450,000 Colorado veterans, CSUE agents, NCRS, DVR, FSA Rural Health contacts, electronic notices, and direct mailings. CAP marketed CAP in the Rural Health Newsletter. The Denver Post interviewed and published an article on a client. During the past 4 years, CAP distributed three newsletters and seven press releases. Denver Channel 7 TV aired a story on one of our northeast Colorado clients, and Channel 9 News aired a story on a client's use of drones.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Fetsch, R. J. & National AgrAbility Project Evaluation Committee. (2015, April 15). AgrAbility intervention effects with new clients quality of life and independent living and working levels. Workshop presented at the AgrAbility National Training Workshop, Rochester, NY.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Fetsch, R. J. & National AgrAbility Project Evaluation Committee. (2015, May 14). What can we learn from our 191 new clients with McGill quality of life pre-survey data? Workshop presented at the national meeting of the National AgrAbility Project Advisory Committee, Indianapolis, IN.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Fetsch, R. J., & National AgrAbility Project Evaluation Committee. (2017, March 21). Two studies: AgrAbility treatment and no-treatment comparison group differences and AgrAbility demographic findings. Workshop presented at the AgrAbility National Training Workshop, Knoxville, TN.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Fetsch, R. J., Tidwell, P., & Jinnah, H. (2017, March 21). Who gains the most from AgrAbility? What works best to enhance our clients quality of life and independent living and working levels? Workshop presented at the AgrAbility National Training Workshop, Knoxville, TN.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Fetsch, R. J., & National AgrAbility Project Evaluation Committee. (2017, December 6). What has AgrAbility achieved? What can we show for it? Workshop presented at the NAP Advisory Team Meeting, Little Rock, AR.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Fetsch, R. J., Jinnah, H., & National AgrAbility Project Evaluation Committee. (2018, March 21). AgrAbility Quality of Life: Our latest findings and future directions. Workshop presented at the AgrAbility National Training Workshop, Portland, ME.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Fetsch, R. J., & Jackman, D. M. (2015, December). Colorados AgrAbility Projects effects on KASA and practice changes with agricultural producers and professionals. Journal of Extension, 53(6), Article #6FEA6. Available from http://www.joe.org/joe/2015december/a6.php
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Fetsch, R. J. & National AgrAbility Project Evaluation Committee. (2015, July 31). What can we learn about behavioral health changes from our 191 new clients with McGill QOL data from 10 states? Workshop presented at the National Association for Rural Mental Health, Honolulu, HI.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Fetsch, R. J. & National AgrAbility Project Evaluation Committee. (2016, April 13). McGill QOL and ILW levels: Preliminary experimental-control group differences. Workshop presented at the AgrAbility National Training Workshop, Ft. Collins, CO.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Jackman, D. M., Fetsch, R. J., & Collins, C. L. (2016). Quality of life and independent living and working levels of farmers and ranchers with disabilities. Disability and Health Journal, 9, 226-233, doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.dhjo.2015.09.002
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Fetsch, R. J., & Collins, C. L. (2018). The effects of AgrAbility on the mental/behavioral health of farmers and ranchers with functional limitations: A comparison study. Medical Research Archives, 6(2). http://www.journals.ke-i.org/index.php/mra/article/view/1691/1762
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Fetsch, R. J., Jackman, D. M., & Collins, C. L. (2018). Assessing changes in quality of life and independent living and working levels among AgrAbility farmers and ranchers with disabilities. Disability and Health Journal, 11(2), 230-236. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dhjo.2017.08.001
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Fetsch, R. J., & Turk, P. (2018). A quantitative assessment of the effectiveness of USDA's AgrAbility project. Disability and Health Journal, 11(2), 249-255. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dhjo.2017.10.004
|
Progress 09/01/16 to 08/31/17
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience is Colorado farmers and ranchers with disabilities and the professionals who address their needs. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?CAP provided professional development on our most recent QOL and ILW level AgrAbility treatment-no-treatment comparison group differences with 225 new AgrAbility clients from 12 SRAPs at NTW in Knoxville, TN on March 21, 2017 (Fetsch & NAPEC, 2017). CAP also involved 27 colleagues at NTW in Knoxville, TN on March 21, 2017 in brainstorming telephone interview questions for a proposed new case studies project to drill down and discover who gains the most from AgrAbility and what works best to enhance our clients' QOL and ILW levels (Fetsch, Tidwell, & Jinnah, 2017). How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?CAP disseminated these results locally and across Colorado through education, networking, and marketing. We presented these results at NAP National Training Workshops, the NAP Advisory Committee, and the National Association for Rural Mental Health. We also published two AgrAbility manuscripts in the Journal of Extension and the Disability and Health Journal and have two more in progress. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We plan to continue our outreach to rural Colorado and intensify our outstanding working relationship with DVR, CSU, CU and DU with programs that serve our clients and their families and professionals who serve them. We will begin planning our 2017-18 Winter Workshops. We plan to provide our three Reeves SCI workshops, provide outreach to Veterans in four workshops to this special population.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Between September 1, 2015 and August 31, 2016 CAP accomplished the following. Through education, CAP offered eight and provided six four-hour winter workshops on "AgrAbility, Estate Planning, and Linking Elder Couples and Returning Veterans and Beginning Farmers/Ranchers" to 31 agricultural producers and 20 professionals. Of participants who completed and returned evaluations immediately following the workshops (N = 26 producers and 18 professionals), 100% (26/26) producers and 100% (18/18) professionals reported increased knowledge and satisfaction levels with AgrAbility and planned to use the information. 88.5% (23/26) producers and 100% (18/18) professionals wanted their tax dollars to continue supporting AgrAbility. CAP also assessed medium-range results by mailing initial letters and surveys plus reminders to non-respondents with a modified Dillman method to identify enduring change in attitudes and behaviors. In 2015-2016, based on surveys completed and returned by 12 ranchers and farmers and 12 professionals 126-266 days following the workshops, 100% (12/12) producers and 100% (12/12) professionals reported increased knowledge. 92% (11/12) producers and 92% (11/12) professionals reported improved attitude/outlook. 83% (10/12) producers and 83% (10/12) professionals reported improved behaviors. 83% (10/12) producers and 92% (11/12) professionals reported increased satisfaction levels with AgrAbility. 92% (11/12) producers and 100% (12/12) professionals wanted their tax dollars to continue supporting AgrAbility. Continued funding is crucial to support Extension AgrAbility programs that work. 89-92% of producers with disabilities and 100% of professionals who participated in AgrAbility educational workshops reported, "Yes, I want my tax dollars to continue to support AgrAbility." CAP worked with 509 Colorado families during the past 19 years. They often report, "If not for AgrAblity, I would not still be farming!" Also through education, CAP increased health, farm and government service providers' knowledge and awareness of the culture of ranch and farm families with disabilities and conditions via CAP's Annual Professionals' Workshop. We provided a workshop for the University of Colorado's Rural Health Rounds seminar to 35 medical students. Between September 1, 2016 and March 31, 2017 through networking, CAP initiated a major new objective to reach veterans in new ways by partnering with the Colorado Department of VFW, selected County Veteran Service officers, Veterans Affairs offices, National Veterans to Farmers Coalition, Workforce Centers, Self-Employment Counselors, CSU Extension, etc. and test our effectiveness by attending and presenting at the American Vet Forum, CSU Vet Symposium, Ft. Carson Vet Symposium, and the DMVA meetings throughout the year. CSUE and GID outreached and networked with Mental/Behavioral Health Centers statewide to complement their resources and increase their service capacity to agricultural clients, especially veterans and caregivers with PTSD by presenting to 35 medical students and outreaching to all mental health providers near our Winter Workshops. CSUE continued to network and connect our client customers with CAP's trained peer supporters as needed by having available peer support referral contact information upon request. We received a $14,000 Quality of Life Grant from the Employment Program of the Dana and Christopher Reeves Foundation to establish a peer support group in at least three locations for Spinal Cord Injury (SCI). CAP continued to strengthen the working relationship between Colorado DVR and CAP by having two DVR counselors join CAP on assessment site visits and by meeting and training new DVR counselors and offices in Buena Vista, Delta, and Sterling. We continued our quarterly visits at DVR meetings. DVR Self Employment specialist, Mary Chacho, remains active on our CAP Advisory Committee. We consulted with her regularly regarding DVR consumers. GID continued to provide situational assessments/rehabilitation technology evaluations to DVR counselors and supervisors by providing Farm/Ranch Assessments to eight DVR referrals. In addition, we provided four Business Consultations. Our request to increase service fees from $1,700 to $2,800 is in review. CSUE enhanced the relationships between CSUE Agents and CAP by providing Winter Workshops in several new areas this year expanding the number of Extension Agents with whom we worked in Buena Vista and Delta, CO. CAP developed and strengthened the working relationship between the USDA, NIFA, and CAP by having Candy Leathers, Norm Dalsted, and Robert Fetsch participate in the National Training Workshop in Knoxville, TN on March 20-24, 2017. Fetsch presented two workshops (Fetsch & NAPEC, 2017; Fetsch, Tidwell & Jinnah, 2017) and chaired a NAPEC meeting. CAP shared information among, and provided services or funds from stakeholders and public and private funding organizations. We received $40,000 in grant funding for a second year from the Department of Military and Veteran Affairs (DMVA) and submitted a request for third-year funding. We received a $17,000 grant from Disabled American Veterans (DAV) for outreach to Veterans. We also received a $14,000 grant from the Reeves Foundation to work with SCI. GID communicated with university OT department to create rehabilitation internships and practica for graduate students. We gave a presentation at CSU for students looking for internships and interviewed a young woman about a future opportunity with the CAP. We requested an intern from CSU's OT Department for fall of 2017. CSUE and GID engaged their Advisory Committee members in promoting and marketing CAP to other agencies and organizations to increase the number of referrals and to find financial resources in order to employ more professional team members to serve clients' needs. We met with new and old members, introduced them to the project, and repeated our expectations. Through assistance, CAP provided information, education, service, technical assistance, and individual consultation. Since September 1, 2016, CAP provided direct services to 48 clients and completed an additional 59 on-site visits with Colorado farmers/ranchers including 13 veterans, 17 new clients, and 3 re-opened clients. During the past year CAP served 116 clients. GID continued to operate its successful financial program with corporate and individual donations that works with CAP clients, called PARTNERS (Persons in Agriculture Receive Technology Needs, Education, and Resource Solutions). We requested and were approved for $5,881 funding toward the purchase of AT for our clients with a remaining Spalding Foundation grant amount of approximately $24,360. CAP continued to enhance the sustainability of CAP. Jim Craig has been very proactive in outreaching to PVA, Vet Caucus, and the AG Counsel about considering how they might assist us financially. CAP was successful in obtaining $31,000 in grants ($14,000 Dana and Christopher Reeves Foundation and $17,000 DAV). CAP is still utilizing previously funded grants ($40,000 DMVA plus c. $20,000 from the Spalding Foundation). Between September 1, 2016 and March 31, 2017 CAP billed DVR for 10 Farm or Ranch Assessments @ $1,700 for a total of $17,000 and for Business Consultations @ $65 per hour for a total of $3,872. Norm Dalsted sat in on a Farm Bill hearing with Senator Bennet and is awaiting meetings with Senator Gardner and Representative Buck. Through marketing CAP continued to increase targeted audiences' awareness of CAP through public appearances with displays, program awareness materials, press releases, Public Service Announcements (PSAs) or news releases annually, enhanced Web pages of CAP and its initiatives, an online newsletter, and/or electronic notices. During this time period, we did not produce a newsletter, but we sent out four press releases to promote our Winter Workshops.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Fetsch, R. J., Tidwell, P., & Jinnah, H. (2017, March 21). Who gains the most from AgrAbility? What works best to enhance our clients quality of life and independent living and working levels? Workshop presented at the AgrAbility National Training Workshop, Knoxville, TN.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Jackman, D. M., Fetsch, R. J., & Collins, C. L. (2016). Quality of life and independent living and working levels of farmers and ranchers with disabilities. Disability and Health Journal, 9, 226-233, doi:10:1016/j.dhjo.2015.09.002
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Awaiting Publication
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Fetsch, R. J., Jackman, D. M., & Collins, C. L. (2017, March 30). Assessing changes in quality of life and independent living and working levels among AgrAbility farmers and ranchers with disabilities. Manuscript is being revised and re-submitted.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Fetsch, R. J. & National AgrAbility Project Evaluation Committee. (2017, March 21). Two studies: AgrAbility treatment and no-treatment comparison group differences and AgrAbility demographic findings. Workshop presented at the AgrAbility National Training Workshop, Knoxville, TN.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Awaiting Publication
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Fetsch, R. J., & Turk, P. (2017, May 12). A quantitative assessment of the effectiveness of USDAs AgrAbility Project. Manuscript is being revised and resubmitted.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Fetsch, R. J., & Jackman, D. M. (2015, December). Colorados AgrAbility Projects effects on KASA and practice changes with agricultural producers and professionals. Journal of Extension, 53(6), Article #6FEA6. Available from http://www.joe.org/joe/2015december/a6.php
|
Progress 09/01/15 to 08/31/16
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience is Colorado farmers and ranchers with disabilities and the professionals who address their needs. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?CAP provided training for national staff on legal aspects, legacy planning, and farming is big business at NTW and provided a regional workshop in Ft. Collins. CAP provided professional development on our most recent preliminary QOL and ILW level experimental-control group differences with 225 new AgrAbility clients from 12 SRAPs at NTW in Fort Collins, CO. CAP hosted the 2016 NTW in Fort Collins. CAP also provided behavioral health professional development to National Association for Rural Mental Health in Honolulu, HI. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?CAP disseminated these results locally and across Colorado through education, networking, and marketing. We presented these results at NAP National Training Workshops, the NAP Advisory Committee, and the National Association for Rural Mental Health. We also published two AgrAbility manuscripts in the Journal of Extension and the Disability and Health Journal and have another in progress What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We plan to continue our outreach to Veterans' organizations, the State VFW meeting, the National DAV conference, and DVR. CAP will continue planning and developing 2015-2017 materials to increase attendance in and referrals from our upcoming winter workshops. A new focus for us will be to network with CSUE agents with whom we have not worked before to enhance AgrAbility delivery in under-served regions of Colorado. We will outreach to 4-H and FFA to market our 2016-2017 winter workshops. We will have two CSU OT students with us from September through November 2016. We will continue to provide DVR assessments. We will continue to provide agricultural business consultations to DVR and have added this to our vendor codes. To increase CAP's sustainability, the project director plans to visit with Co Bank and one of our U.S. Senators.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Between September 1, 2014 and April 30, 2016 CAP accomplished the following. Through education, CAP offered 8 and provided 7 four-hour winter workshops on "AgrAbility Business and Financial Planning" to 33 agricultural producers and 28 professionals. Of participants who completed and returned evaluations immediately following the workshops, 100% (24/24) producers and 100% (20/20) professionals reported increased knowledge. 100% (24/24) producers and 100% (20/20) professionals reported increased satisfaction levels with AgrAbility. 100% (24/24) producers and 100% (20/20) professionals planned to use the information. 91.7% (22/24) producers and 100% (20/20) professionals wanted their tax dollars to continue supporting AgrAbility. CAP assessed not only immediate results, but also medium-range results. CAP mailed initial letters and surveys plus reminders to non respondents with a modified Dillman method to identify enduring change in attitudes and behaviors. In 2014-2015, based on surveys completed and returned by 20 ranchers and farmers and 16 professionals 36-52 weeks following the workshops, 85% (17/20) producers and 100% (16/16) professionals reported increased knowledge. 75% (15/20) producers and 93.8% (15/16) professionals reported improved attitude/outlook. 75% (15/20) producers and 81.3% (13/16) professionals reported improved behaviors. 75% (15/20) producers and 87.5% (14/16) professionals reported increased satisfaction levels with AgrAbility. 90% (18/20) producers and 100% (16/16) professionals wanted their tax dollars to continue supporting AgrAbility. 10% (2/20) producers did not. Funding is crucial to support Extension AgrAbility programs that work. 90-92% of producers with disabilities and 100% of professionals who participated in AgrAbility educational workshops reported, "Yes, I want my tax dollars to continue to support AgrAbility." Workshop participants also reported the economic value of CAP. 70% (14/20) of producers and 43.8% (7/16) of professionals reported that CAP improved their economic well-being. When asked to put an economic value on their experience with CAP as it related to them and their family business, of the 15 producers who responded to this item, 40% (6/15) said $1,001-$5,000, and 26.7% (4/15) said greater than $5,000. Of the 4 producers who reported that the economic value of CAP to them and their family business was greater than $5,000, the range was $8,000 to $60,000 and the average was $27,000. Of the 13 professionals who responded to the economic value item of the CAP, 30.8% (4/13) said $1,001-$5,000 and 7.7% (1/13) said more than $5,000. A second program evaluation study was conducted in 10 states (AR, CO, KS, NE, NC, OK, TX, VA, WV, and WI) by CSUE, NAP, and the NAP Evaluation Committee to determine whether 191 new AgrAbility clients reported improvements in their quality of life (QOL) and independent living and working (ILW) levels. Using paired samples t tests, we found that the average participant's QOL and ILW levels increased (p< .001) and the effect sizes were large or larger than typical. 82.4% of participant respondents improved QOL levels. 83.3% reported improved ILW levels (Fetsch, Jackman, & Collins, manuscript in preparation). Two manuscripts were published (Fetsch & Jackman, 2015; Jackman, Fetsch, & Collins, 2016), and a third is in preparation. Through networking, CAP initiated a major new objective to reach veterans in new ways with the United Veterans Committee of Colorado, National Guard Association, VFW, DAV, the American Legion of Colorado, Paralyzed Vets of America, and Senator Bennett's Vet Summit. We provided information about CAP to the American Observer Magazine reaching 40,000 veterans with a second newsletter and article and at the VA Mental Health Summit, Jewel VA Center Vision Symposium, Helping Veteran Gala, and Next Objectives. We provided Senator Bennett's office a tour of Goodwill and presentation on AgrAbility. CAP networked with the Veterans Administration, the Rehabilitation and Re-employment Department, the Deputy Secretary of the Veterans Administration, the Deputy Director of the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E), the Veterans Integrated Service Network 19 VR&E manager, local veterans groups, and the Vet-Met Rehabilitation and Employment group. CAP staff continued to meet with Colorado Governor Hickenlooper who is interested in providing support and encouragement for veterans to explore agriculture as a new occupational direction. Staff provided AgrAbility information, resources, and consultation to service providers and veterans in 15 veteran agencies, made three outreach visits to Craig Rehabilitation Hospital, and provided consultation with CO, ID, and MT consumers. CAP networked with the Colorado FSA and national leaders, National Conservation and Resource Services, Colorado Rural Health Expo and Training, Farm Bureau, and was invited to sit on the Colorado Ag Council. CAP outreached to the University of Colorado Behavioral Health Department and networked with 15 DVR counselors and provided two additional DVR assessments. CAP networked with CSU agents by providing an electronic newsletter. CAP networked with CSUE 4-H coordinators and other agricultural providers and with CSU's OT Department by providing internships for two Level I student interns. CAP's Project Director is working to set up and meet with our new Advisory Committee. CAP hosted the 2016 National Training Workshop in Fort Collins. Through assistance, CAP provided information, education, service, technical assistance, and individual consultation to 87 clients and completed 37 on-site visits with Colorado farmers/ranchers including 15 veterans, and 17 new clients. (The amount of time and effort it took CAP to host the 2016 NTW in Fort Collins, CO 4/11-14/16 cost us the time to provide on-site visits to 16-20 new clients, so we have some catching up to do.) CAP continues to use its PARTNERS money to provide producers grants to purchase AT. CAP applied for four additional grants and received $40,000 to assist veteran clients. To enhance CAP's sustainability, CAP wrote and received a $9,000 supplement from NIFA which brought CAP's second year funding to $189,000. CAP applied for grants from the Christopher Reeves Grant Association and the Department of Military and Veteran Affairs of Colorado. While the first was not funded, the later resulted in $40,000 to purchase AT for AgrAbility veteran clients. Staff met with four state legislators about introducing a bill in 2017 to provide state funding for CAP. The Colorado Ag Council also discussed the idea of commodity groups providing some funding for CAP. Through marketing CAP is working with CSU to update our CAP website with IT support. We worked with Goodwill Industries Denver to update literature, brochures, and folders. A new Goodwill face book page was developed with a link to AgrAbility. CAP provided a press release, newsletter, and workshop flyer to market our 8 winter workshops. CAP also provided a second electronic newsletter to 450,000 Colorado veterans, CSUE agents, NCRS, DVR, FSA Rural Health contacts, and 74 AgrAbility clients. Channel 7 TV news created a story on one of our clients in northeast Colorado.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Awaiting Publication
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Fetsch, R. J., & Jackman, D. M. 2016. Colorados AgrAbility Projects effects in KASA and practice changes with agricultural producers and professionals. Journal of Extension, 53(6), Article #6FEA6. http://www.joe.org/joe/2015december/a6.php.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Jackman, D. M., Fetsch, R. J., & Collins, C. L. 2016. Quality of life and independent living and working levels of farmers and ranchers with disabilities. Disability and Health Journal, 9, 226-233, doi:10:1016/j.dhjo.2015.09.002.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Fetsch, R. J. & National AgrAbility Project Evaluation Committee. (2015, April 15). AgrAbility intervention effects with new clients quality of life and independent living and working levels. Workshop presented at the AgrAbility National Training Workshop, Rochester, NY.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Fetsch, R. J. & National AgrAbility Project Evaluation Committee. (2015, May 14). What can we learn from our 191 new clients with McGill quality of life pre-survey data? Workshop presented at the national meeting of the National AgrAbility Project Advisory Committee, Indianapolis, IN.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Fetsch, R. J. & National AgrAbility Project Evaluation Committee. (2015, July 31). What can we learn about behavioral health changes from our 191 new clients with McGill QOL data from 10 states? Workshop presented at the National Association for Rural Mental Health, Honolulu, HI.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Fetsch, R. J. & National AgrAbility Project Evaluation Committee. (2016, April 13). McGill QOL and ILW levels: Preliminary experimental-control group differences. Workshop presented at the AgrAbility National Training Workshop, Ft. Collins, CO.
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Progress 09/01/14 to 08/31/15
Outputs
Target Audience: Colorado farmers and ranchers with disabilities and the professionals who address their needs. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? CAP, which is a conjoint project with Colorado State University Extension (CSUE) and Goodwill Industries Denver, provided 8 three-hour educational winter workshops on "AgrAbility Business and Financial Planning" for 28 professionals who work with Colorado ranchers and farmers with disabilities. As stated above, CAP provided training for national staff on legal aspects at NTW and provided a regional workshop in Ft. Collins, Colorado. As stated below, CAP provided professional development on our most recent quality of life and independent living and working level program evaluation results with 191 new AgrAbility clients in 10 SRAPs at NTW in Rochester, NY and at the NAP Advisory Committee meeting in Indianapolis, IN. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? We plan to continue our outreach to Veterans organizations. A staff member will attend the State VFW meeting in June and the National DAV conference in August. We will continue our work with Colorado DVR. We will represent NAP at the RESNA conference in June 2015, as well as attend workshops and training. CAP will continue planning and developing 2015-2016 workshop materials, as well as continue with communications about the possibility of hosting the NTW in 2016.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
In 2015 (between September 1, 2014 and May 21, 2015), most of the initial goals of this four-year grant (2015-2018) were accomplished. Through education, the Colorado AgrAbility Project (CAP) offered 8 winter workshops on "AgrAbility Business and Financial Planning" for 37 agricultural producers and 28 professionals. CAP also made inquiries to the "ask an eXpert" site on numerous occasions, received guidance and support for both disability-related issues and agricultural needs, and participated in professional development activities and coursework offered by eXtension. Through networking, CAP initiated a major new objective to reach veterans in new ways with memberships in the United Veterans Committee of Colorado, National Guard Association, VFW, DAV and the American Legion of Colorado. We provided information about CAP to the American Observer Magazine reaching 40,000 veterans. CAP held meetings and discussions on the role of CAP with the Veterans Administration and with occupational therapy staff in the Rehabilitation and Re-employment Department and invited referrals. A CAP team member networked with the Deputy Secretary of the Veterans Administration and later met via teleconference with the Deputy Director of the VR&E and the VISN 19 VR&E manager. Project staff initiated contact with numerous local veterans' groups and increased our outreach with our 16 veteran clients. CAP staff met with Colorado Governor Hickenlooper who directed all 64 County Veteran Service Officers to open a new and improved line of communication at the county level regarding agriculture being an occupational direction to be explored. We continue to have representation at the Vet-Met Rehabilitation/Employment group who serves northern Colorado and southern Wyoming. We are a member of the Veterans Advisory group of Larimer County. Staff provided AgrAbility information, resources, and consultation to service providers and veterans in five veteran agencies. Additional networking activities included four outreach visits to Craig Rehabilitation Hospital with educational materials, programming to occupational therapy and recreational therapy staff, and consultation with consumers from Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Utah. CAP met with Dr. Paudel, who is with Colorado State University (CSU) Pueblo, to discuss the possibility of engaging with his engineering students on providing a direct service delivery for AT projects for clients. CAP met with the CEO of Agrabotix, an agricultural-related business for drone development, and consulted with him about a specific client who has limited mobility and the possibility of his incorporating the use of a drone in his agronomy business. CAP supervised a Level I student intern from CSU Occupational Therapy department from September to December 2014. CSU and the National AgrAbility Project conducted a program evaluation study to assess Colorado's and nine additional states' success at enhancing new clients' quality of life (QOL) levels (AR, CO, KS, NE, NC, OK, TX, VA, WV, and WI). Our goal was to determine whether 191 new AgrAbility clients reported improvements in their quality of life and independent living and working levels. Using paired samples t tests, we found that the average participant's quality of life levels rose from 5.63 to 7.11 after completing AgrAbility. Not only was the difference statistically significant (p < .001) but the effect size (d = .90) is larger than typical to much larger than typical using Cohen's (1988) guidelines (Fetsch, Jackman, & Collins, 2015). In addition, ILW levels increased from 16.95 to 21.80 after participating in AgrAbility. Once again, not only was this improvement statistically significant (p < .001), but the effect size (d = .84) is large or larger than typical effect size (Cohen, 1988). Also, age group and independent living and working levels predicted 16.2% of the variance in quality of life levels (Jackman, Fetsch, & Collins, 2015). Two manuscripts are in review and another is in preparation. Through assistance, CAP provided information, education, service, technical assistance, and individual consultation to 93 clients and completed 58 on-site visits to Colorado farmers/ranchers. CAP expanded its PARTNERS program to provide grants to purchase assistive technology by accepting an additional $20,000 grant to provide AT to clients. Staff applied for four additional grants to assist in providing aids and tools to clients, to help with purchasing new demonstration items, and to help with attracting new clients via marketing and outreach. (One grant proposal was rejected; the other three are still in review.) Through marketing CAP increased awareness of AgrAbility and referrals by beginning the process of updating the design and layout of our CAP website and moving it to the Extension and Agricultural site. We are working with Goodwill Industries Denver to update literature, brochures, and folders for upcoming presentations and clients' use. CAP attended the Rural Health Conference in Denver where we had a display table and networked with over 30 Colorado rural health clinics regarding our services. On CSU's Agricultural Day we met with Colorado Governor Hickenlooper and provided a brief presentation on CAP's mission and discussed how our program aligns with the Governor's Rural Employment Initiatives. We attended the Colorado Farm Show where we networked with vendors, farmers, and other service providers. We attended the National Western Stock Show and distributed AgrAbility literature. We accepted an invitation to sit on the Assistive Technology Coalition of Colorado's board. We met with Colorado Division of Rehabilitation (DVR) Director Joelle Brouner twice and worked with Karen Ferrington to keep DVR apprised on service delivery with our mutual clients. Two DVR counselors participated in site visits. We participated in the National Training Workshop (NTW) in Rochester, NY and provided training for national staff on legal aspects. We sponsored a Regional Conference in Ft. Collins, Colorado in late September/October with over 35 attendees. We marketed CAP in an article in the Rural Health Newsletter. We provided an article to eight CSU Extension Agents that they disseminated through newsletters. The Denver Post interviewed one of our clients and published an article on him. CAP staff has an electronic Colorado AgrAbility Newsletter and listserv in development.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Fetsch, R. J., & Jackman, D. M. (2015, March 9). Evaluating knowledge, attitudes, aspirations (KASA) and practice changes among farmers and ranchers with disabilities and professionals in an Extension AgrAbility program.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Fetsch, R. J., Jackman, D. M., & Collins, C. L. (2015, May 19). Quality of life and independent living and working levels among farmers and ranchers with disabilities: Benefits of AgrAbility.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Year Published: 2015
Citation: Jackman, D. M., Fetsch, R. J., & Collins, C. L. (2015, May 6). Quality of life and independent living and working levels of farmers and ranchers with disabilities.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Fetsch, R. J. & National AgrAbility Project Evaluation Committee. (2015, April 15). AgrAbility intervention effects with new clients quality of life and independent living and working levels. Workshop presented at the AgrAbility National Training Workshop, Rochester, NY.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Fetsch, R. J. & National AgrAbility Project Evaluation Committee. (2015, May 14). What can we learn from our 191 new clients with McGill quality of life pre-survey data? Workshop presented at the national meeting of the National AgrAbility Project Advisory Committee, Indianapolis, IN.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Fetsch, R. J. & National AgrAbility Project Evaluation Committee. (2015, July 31). What can we learn about behavioral health changes from our 191 new clients with McGill QOL data from 10 states? Workshop will be presented at the National Association for Rural Mental Health, Honolulu, HI.
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