Progress 04/15/06 to 04/11/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: With this four-year grant (2006-2009) we achieved our goals and objectives. We held our winter workshops, published an empirical manuscript, made two presentations, and conducted a conference for OT's, PT's, and Extension Agents. We networked with our own Colorado peer supporters and provided peer support training to Nebraska AgrAbility peer supporters. We networked with DVR, OT, and our own Advisory Committee. We continued providing assistance to our 73 clients and received $40,000 in donations. To increase public awareness about the Colorado AgrAbility Project, we prepared PSAs, brochures, newsletters, and continued to provide program accessibility to deaf and hard of hearing people. Significant FY2009 Colorado AgrAbility Project (CAP) accomplishments include the following. EDUCATION. CAP (a conjoint project with Colorado State University Extension and Easter Seals Colorado) offered 10 educational workshops to 32 producers ("Got Multiple Sclerosis on the Farm/Ranch") plus 10 workshops to 75 professionals ("AgrAbility & Utilizing Multiple Sclerosis Resources with Ranchers and Farmers with Disabilities"), published an empirical manuscript on enhancing CAP's effectiveness of outreach efforts targeting farmers and ranchers with disabilities (Christen & Fetsch, 2008), made two presentations on AgrAbility program impacts and critical issues at national meetings (Fetsch, 2009; Fetsch et al., 2009), conducted a conference for OTs/PTs/Extension Agents for 24 participants, utilized a new CAP List Serve to share information with professionals, decreased the number of producers from 1,519 to 1,117 by removing duplicates and decreased the number of professionals from 2,587 to 2,020 who received CAP information. NETWORKING. CAP provided research-based support and networked with our 6 peer supporters, networked with NE on peer support (Fetsch, Collins, & Booker, 2009), provided information and resources to DVR counselors/supervisors, provided two in-service trainings to build service capacity among stakeholders and public and private funding organizations to 20 participants, created OT graduate student internships and employed two interns, and supported the CAP Advisory Committee. ASSISTANCE. CAP delivered 42 site visits and served 73 clients, encouraged Advisory Committee members to promote the workshops and refer clients, worked with the Advisory Committee to set up a grant program available to CAP clients to purchase AT. ESC received $40,000 in donations. MARKETING. To increase project awareness, CAP prepared 4 PSAs, distributed 2,000 brochures, and two 'Baling Wire' Newsletters to 1,575 subscribers, and continued to provide program accessibility to deaf and hard of hearing people. PARTICIPANTS: The total number of client participants for all four years = 252. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience includes CO farm and ranch families with disabilities. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
During the past year, based on surveys completed and returned by 37 farmers/ranchers and 37 professionals immediately after participating in three-hour workshops. 100% (37/37 ranchers) and 100% (36/36 professionals) reported increased knowledge. 100% (37/37 farmers) and 100% (36/36 professionals) reported increased satisfaction levels with AgrAbility. 100% (34/34 ranchers) and 100% (37/37 professionals) plan to use the information. 100% (35/35 farmers) and 97% (36/37 professionals) want their tax dollars to continue supporting AgrAbility. CAP assesses not only immediate results, but also medium-range results 14-19 weeks following the educational workshops. CAP mails out surveys with a Modified Dillman Method to identify enduring changes in attitudes and behaviors. During the past year, based on the surveys completed and returned by 25 ranchers/farmers and 37 professionals 14-19 weeks following the workshops, 92% (23/25 ranchers) and 100% (37/37 professionals) reported increased knowledge. 84% (21/25 farmers) and 100% (36/36 professionals) reported an improved attitude/outlook. 80% (20/25 ranchers) and 83% (29/35 professionals) reported improved behaviors. 88% (21/24 farmers) and 97% (34/35 professionals) reported increased satisfaction levels with AgrAbility. 96% (22/23 ranchers) and 97% (34/35 professionals) want their tax dollars to continue supporting AgrAbility. Funding is crucial to support programs that work, which impact the lives of farmers/ranchers with disabilities. It is an accomplishment to have 96-100% of ranchers/farmers with disabilities and 97% of professionals who work with them and who participate in AgrAbility workshops say, "Yes, I want my tax dollars to continue to support AgrAbility."
Publications
- No publications reported this period
|
Progress 04/15/09 to 04/14/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Significant FY2009 Colorado AgrAbility Project (CAP) accomplishments include the following. EDUCATION. CAP (a conjoint project with Colorado State University Extension and Easter Seals Colorado) offered 10 educational workshops to 32 producers ("Got Multiple Sclerosis on the Farm/Ranch") plus 10 workshops to 75 professionals ("AgrAbility & Utilizing Multiple Sclerosis Resources with Ranchers and Farmers with Disabilities"), published an empirical manuscript on enhancing CAP's effectiveness of outreach efforts targeting farmers and ranchers with disabilities (Christen & Fetsch, 2008), made two presentations on AgrAbility program impacts and critical issues at national meetings (Fetsch, 2009; Fetsch et al., 2009), conducted a conference for OTs/PTs/Extension Agents for 24 participants, utilized a new CAP List Serve to share information with professionals, decreased the number of producers from 1,519 to 1,117 by removing duplicates and decreased the number of professionals from 2,587 to 2,020 who received CAP information. NETWORKING. CAP provided research-based support and networked with our 6 peer supporters, networked with NE on peer support (Fetsch, Collins, & Booker, 2009), provided information and resources to DVR counselors/supervisors, provided two in-service trainings to build service capacity among stakeholders and public and private funding organizations to 20 participants, created OT graduate student internships and employed two interns, and supported the CAP Advisory Committee. ASSISTANCE. CAP delivered 42 site visits and served 73 clients, encouraged Advisory Committee members to promote the workshops and refer clients, worked with the Advisory Committee to set up a grant program available to CAP clients to purchase AT. ESC received $40,000 in donations. MARKETING. To increase project awareness, CAP prepared 4 PSAs, distributed 2,000 brochures, and two 'Baling Wire' Newsletters to 1,575 subscribers, and continued to provide program accessibility to deaf and hard of hearing people. PARTICIPANTS: Colorado farm and ranch families with conditions, illnesses, and disabilities and professionals who work with them. TARGET AUDIENCES: Colorado ranch and farm families with conditions, illnesses, and disabilities and professionals who work with them. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
During the past year, based on surveys completed and returned by 37 farmers/ranchers and 37 professionals immediately after participating in three-hour workshops. 100% (37/37 ranchers) and 100% (36/36 professionals) reported increased knowledge. 100% (37/37 farmers) and 100% (36/36 professionals) reported increased satisfaction levels with AgrAbility. 100% (34/34 ranchers) and 100% (37/37 professionals) plan to use the information. 100% (35/35 farmers) and 97% (36/37 professionals) want their tax dollars to continue supporting AgrAbility. CAP assesses not only immediate results, but also medium-range results 14-19 weeks following the educational workshops. CAP mails out surveys with a Modified Dillman Method to identify enduring changes in attitudes and behaviors. During the past year, based on the surveys completed and returned by 25 ranchers/farmers and 37 professionals 14-19 weeks following the workshops, 92% (23/25 ranchers) and 100% (37/37 professionals) reported increased knowledge. 84% (21/25 farmers) and 100% (36/36 professionals) reported an improved attitude/outlook. 80% (20/25 ranchers) and 83% (29/35 professionals) reported improved behaviors. 88% (21/24 farmers) and 97% (34/35 professionals) reported increased satisfaction levels with AgrAbility. 96% (22/23 ranchers) and 97% (34/35 professionals) want their tax dollars to continue supporting AgrAbility. Funding is crucial to support programs that work, which impact the lives of farmers/ranchers with disabilities. It is an accomplishment to have 96-100% of ranchers/farmers with disabilities and 97% of professionals who work with them and who participate in AgrAbility workshops say, "Yes, I want my tax dollars to continue to support AgrAbility."
Publications
- Christen, C. T., & Fetsch, R. J. (2008). Colorado AgrAbility: Enhancing the effectiveness of outreach efforts targeting farmers and ranchers with disabilities. Journal of Applied Communications, 92(1&2). Available from http://www.aceweb.org/JAC/v92n1-2/co_agrability.html. Note: Although this article was dated 2008, it was published in the new JAC e-journal on 1/30/2010.
- Fetsch, R. J. (2009, October 7). Noticing clients with high stress, anger, depression, and suicidal thinking & knowing what to do next at the AgrAbility National Training workshop, Grand Rapids, MI.
- Fetsch, R. J., Collins, C. L., & Booker, W. L. (2009, February 26-27). Peer support: Train-the-trainer training, Kearney, NE.
- Fetsch, R. J., Schuler, R., Beck, M., Simmons, S., Ballin, K., Aherin, R., Little, T., & Luke, V. (2009, October 6). Evaluating the impacts of direct client services: A four-state report with the McGill Quality of Life Tool at the AgrAbility National Training Workshop, Grand Rapids, MI.
|
Progress 04/15/08 to 04/14/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Significant FY2008 Colorado AgrAbility Project (CAP) accomplishments include the following. Education. CAP (a conjoint project with Colorado State University Extension and Easter Seals Colorado) offered 10 educational workshops to 37 producers ("Got Knee/Hip/Joint Problems on the Farm/Ranch") plus 10 workshops to 54 professionals ("AgrAbility & Utilizing Knee/Hip/Joint Problem Resources with Ranchers and Farmers with Disabilities"), submitted an empirical manuscript on enhancing CAP's effectiveness of outreach efforts targeting farmers and ranchers with disabilities (Christen & Fetsch, 2009), made two presentations on AgrAbility program impacts at national meetings (Fetsch, 2008; Fetsch et al., 2008), conducted a conference for OTs/PTs/Extension Agents for 14 participants, utilized a new CAP List Serve to share information with professionals, decreased the number of producers from 1,917 to 1,519 by removing duplicates and decreased the number of professionals from 2,936 to 2,587 who received CAP information semi-annually. Networking. CAP provided research-based support and networked with our 6 peer supporters, networked with OK, KS, and NE on peer support, provided information and resources to DVR counselors/supervisors, provided 4 in-service trainings to build service capacity among stakeholders and public and private funding organizations to 76 participants, created OT graduate student internships and employed 1 intern, and supported the CAP Advisory Committee. Assistance. CAP delivered 45 site visits and served 57 clients, encouraged Advisory Committee members to promote the workshops and refer clients, worked with the Advisory Committee to set up a low-interest, long-term loan program available to CAP clients to purchase AT. ESC received $42,809 in donations, and $1,175 in fee-for-service. Marketing. To increase project awareness, CAP prepared 4 PSAs, distributed 2,000 brochures, and 1 'Baling Wire' Newsletter to 1,575 subscribers, focused in the northwest quadrant (7/45 clients came from that quadrant), and continued to provide program accessibility to deaf and hard of hearing people. PARTICIPANTS: Not relevant to this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: Not relevant to this project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
During the past year, based on surveys completed and returned by 39 farmers/ranchers and 37 professionals immediately after participating in three-hour workshops. 100% (39/39 ranchers) and 100% (37/37 professionals) reported increased knowledge. 100% (37/37 farmers) and 100% (36/36 professionals) reported increased satisfaction levels with AgrAbility. 100% (38/38 ranchers) and 100% (37/37 professionals) plan to use the information. 100% (38/38 farmers) and 100% (35/35 professionals) want their tax dollars to continue supporting AgrAbility. CAP assesses not only immediate results, but also medium-range results 6-21 weeks following the educational workshops. CAP mails out surveys with a Modified Dillman Method to identify enduring changes in attitudes and behaviors. During the past year, based on the surveys completed and returned by 27 ranchers/farmers and 42 professionals 6-21 weeks following the workshops. 96% (26/27 ranchers) and 98% (41/42 professionals) reported increased knowledge. 100% (27/27 farmers) and 98% (41/42 professionals) reported an improved attitude/outlook. 89% (24/27 ranchers) and 77% (30/39 professionals) reported improved behaviors. 96% (26/27 farmers) and 98% (40/41 professionals) reported increased satisfaction levels with AgrAbility. 100% (27/27 ranchers) and 100% (42/42 professionals) want their tax dollars to continue supporting AgrAbility. Funding is crucial to support programs that work, which impact the lives of farmers/ranchers with disabilities. It is an accomplishment to have 100% of ranchers/farmers with disabilities and 100% of professionals who work with them and who participate in AgrAbility workshops say, "Yes, I want my tax dollars to continue to support AgrAbility."
Publications
- Christen, C. T., & Fetsch, R. J. 2009. Enhancing the effectiveness of outreach efforts targeting farmers and ranchers with disabilities. Journal of Applied Communications.
- Fetsch, R. J. 2008. Future program impact evaluation directions with the McGill Quality of Life instrument. Presentation at the National AgrAbility Training Workshop, Wichita, KS. November 12, 2008.
- Fetsch, R. J., Schuler, R., Beck, M., Ballin, K., Simmons, S., Little, M. C., & Luke, V. 2008. Evaluating the impact of direct client services. Presentation at the AgrAbility National Training Workshop, Wichita, KS. November 11, 2008.
|
Progress 04/15/07 to 04/14/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Significant FY2007 Colorado AgrAbility Project (CAP) accomplishments include the following. Education. CAP (a conjoint project with Colorado State University Extension and Easter Seals Colorado) submitted an empirical manuscript on CAP's program impacts (Fetsch, Hughes, & Gomez, 2007), submitted an empirical article on our statewide survey of farmers and ranchers to identify improved marketing strategies (Christen & Fetsch, 2007), conducted a conference for OTs/PTs for 16 participants, utilized a new CAP List Serve to share information with professionals, decreased the number of producers from 1,933 to 1,917 by removing duplicates and increased the number of professionals from 2,916 to 2,936 who received CAP information semi-annually. Networking. CAP provided research-based support and networked with our 6 peer supporters, submitted a manuscript on the peer support training process (Fetsch & Gomez, 2007), networked with OK, KS, and NE on peer support, provided information and resources to DVR counselors/supervisors, provided 3 in-service trainings to build service capacity among stakeholders and public and private funding organizations to 37 participants, met with UCD Community Prototyping Lab and submitted 3 student projects, created OT graduate student internships and employed 2 interns, employed an OT supervisor, and supported the CAP Advisory Committee. Assistance. CAP delivered 27 site visits with 48 clients, encouraged Advisory Committee members to contact banks to make low-interest, long-term loans available to CAP clients to purchase AT, met with Micro Business Development and developed a framework for low-interest, long-term loans available to CAP clients to purchase AT. ESC received $13,751 in grants, $22,814 in donations, and $7,563 in fee-for-service. Marketing. To increase project awareness, CAP prepared 8 PSAs, distributed 2,000 brochures, and 2 quarterly 'Baling Wire' Newsletters to 650 subscribers per issue, two TV stories, focused in the southeast quadrant (17/48 clients came from that quadrant), and continued to provide program accessibility to no deaf and hard of hearing people. Both the Colorado House and Senate passed resolutions unanimously to recognize CAP and CAP clients. PARTICIPANTS: Farmers and Ranchers with disabilities and the professionals who work with them. TARGET AUDIENCES: Farmers and ranchers with disabilities and the professionals who work with them.
Impacts
Since the FY2006 CRIS Report covered impacts from 4/15/06-4/14/07, since this FY2007 CRIS Report covers impacts from 4/15/07-12/31/07, and since our source of pretest-posttest empirical data is from our winter workshops, we do not yet have completed impact data to report at this time.
Publications
- Christen, C. T., & Fetsch, R. J. 2007. Enhancing the effectiveness of outreach efforts targeting farmers and ranchers with disabilities. Manuscript was conditionally accepted by the Journal of Applied Communications.
- Fetsch, R. J., & Gomez, R. 2007. AgrAbility neighbor-to-neighbor peer support training: A pilot comparison study. Manuscript was submitted for publication.
- Fetsch, R. J., Hughes, L. Y., Gomez, R. 2007. AgrAbility educational workshop program evaluation for farmers, ranchers, and caregivers with disabilities. Manuscript was submitted to Family Relations for publication.
|
Progress 04/15/06 to 04/14/07
Outputs
Significant FY2006 Colorado AgrAbility Project (CAP) accomplishments include the following. Education. CAP (a conjoint project with Colorado State University Cooperative Extension and Easter Seals Colorado) offered 9 educational workshops to 19 producers (Managing Back Problems and Injuries & AgrAbility) plus 7 workshops to 28 professionals (AgrAbility & Utilizing Back Problem and Injury Resources with Farmers and Ranchers with Disabilities), submitted an empirical manuscript on CAP's program impacts (Fetsch, Hughes, & Gomez, 2007), established a new CAP List Serve to share information with professionals, decreased the number of producers from 2,075 to 1,933 and the number of professionals from 2,990 to 2,916 who receive CAP information annually by removing duplicates. Networking. CAP provided research-based support and networked with our 6 peer supporters, submitted one peer support manuscript (Tippett, Jaco, Wilhite, & Fetsch, 2007), is preparing a manuscript on the
peer support training process (Fetsch & Gomez, 2007), provided training to 7 Oklahoma AgrAbility Project peer supporters, networked with OK, KS, and NE on peer support, provided information and resources to DVR counselors/supervisors, negotiated an increase to $1,175 per evaluation for DVR clients, provided 6 in-service trainings to build service capacity among stakeholders and public and private funding organizations to 200 participants, met with CSU School of Engineering and submitted 5 student projects, created OT graduate student internships and employed 2 interns, employed an OT supervisor, formed a CAP Advisory Committee, and networked with the National AgrAbility Project (NAP) to publish a first-of-its kind, 8-state study of NAP program impacts (N = 618) (Meyer & Fetsch, 2006). Assistance. CAP delivered 62 site visits with 58 clients, encouraged Advisory Committee members to contact banks to make low-interest, long-term loans available to CAP clients to purchase AT, wrote 4
grant proposals requesting $199,810 direct funding plus $36,701 indirect funding (total $236,511) especially for farmers/ranchers to purchase AT - none were funded. ESC received $0 in grants plus $20,823 in donations. Marketing. To increase project awareness, CAP prepared 5 PSAs, distributed 2,000 brochures, and 4 quarterly 'Baling Wire' Newsletters to 640 subscribers per issue, partnered with CSU Department of Journalism and Technical Communications (JTC) to improve marketing and to focus in the northeast quadrant (10/19 new clients came from that quadrant), and continued to provide program accessibility to no deaf and hard of hearing people. New clients' success stories were published in Lamar Daily News, Pueblo Chieftain, and Denver Post and were on 9 News TV. Representative Musgrave released a press release in support of CAP. Both the Colorado House and Senate passed resolutions unanimously to recognize CAP and CAP clients. CAP partnered with JTC and completed a modified Dillman
method survey of a random sample (N = 798) of Colorado's 31,361 operators with a 51% response rate (Christen & Fetsch, 2007). JTC efforts resulted in 2 new clients plus 6 information requests.
Impacts
During the past year, based on surveys completed and returned by 19 farmers/ranchers (F/R) and 7 professionals (P) immediately after participating in three-hour educational workshops: 95% (18/19) of F/R and 100% of P reported increased knowledge; 95% (18/19) of F/R and 100% of P reported increased satisfaction levels with AgrAbility; 84% (16/19) of F/R and 100% of P plan to use the information; 74% (14/19) of F/R and 100% of P want their tax dollars to continue supporting AgrAbility. CAP assesses not only immediate results, but also medium-range results 3-14 weeks following the workshops. CAP mails out surveys with a Modified Dillman Method to identify enduring changes in attitudes and behaviors. Based on the surveys completed and returned by 11 farmers/ranchers (F/R) and 19 professionals (P) 3-14 weeks following the workshops: 73% (8/11) of F/R and 100% of P reported increased knowledge; 91% (10/11) of F/R and 95% (18/19) of P reported improved attitude/outlook; 64%
(7/11) of F/R and 84% (16/19) of P reported improved behaviors; 91% (10/11) of F/R and 95% (18/19) of P reported increased satisfaction levels with AgrAbility; and 91% (10/11) of F/R and 90% (17/19) of P want their tax dollars to continue supporting AgrAbility. Funding is crucial to support programs of high value, which impact the lives of farmers/ranchers with disabilities. It is an accomplishment to have 74-91% of ranchers/farmers with disabilities and 90-100% of professionals who work with them and who participate in AgrAbility workshops say, "Yes, I want my tax dollars to continue to support AgrAbility."
Publications
- Christen, C., & Fetsch, R. J. (2007). Colorado AgrAbility: Enhancing the effectiveness of outreach efforts targeting farmers and ranchers with disabilities. Manuscript submitted for publication to the Journal of Rural Health.
- Fetsch, R. J., Hughes, L. Y., Gomez, R. (2007). AgrAbility educational workshop program evaluation for farmers, ranchers, and caregivers with disabilities. Manuscript submitted for publication to the Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities.
- Fetsch, R. J., & Gomez, R. (2007). AgrAbility neighbor-to-neighbor peer support training: A pilot comparison study. Manuscript in preparation.
- Meyer, R. H., & Fetsch, R. J. (2006). National AgrAbility Project impact on farmers and ranchers with disabilities. Journal of Agricultural Safety and Health, 12(4), 275-291.
- Tippett, S. R., Jaco, L. M., Wilhite, C., & Fetsch, R. J. (2007). The effectiveness of peer support as an intervention: Implications for the development of a program for farmers with disabilities in Oklahoma. Manuscript submitted for publication to the Journal of Rural Health.
|
|