Progress 09/01/12 to 08/31/13
Outputs
Target Audience: The proposed "Family Extension and Education Program" builds upon an exisiting collaborative relationship between Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute (SIPI) and surrounding Native American communities. The overall objective of the Family Extension and Education Program is to develop a model extension and community education program while providing training in family and child development, resource management, personal financial management, nutrition, diet, and health at SIPI and via distance education format for Native American communities in remote locations. The workshops and activities offered by FEEP reflect community needs as determined through focus groups, workshop evaluations, and other community source feedback. The program goal is to better meet the educational needs of Native Americans and to reach remote and rural participants to ensure support and assistance to Native American communities. "Pride, Proficiency and Prosperity" promotes the preservation of Traditional Native Craft skills and the formation of Native-owned businesses through Traditional Craft Nights. The program will partner with Native artisans to establish individual small business to sell their own art. Support includes mentorship, business advice, financial support, and networking opportunities. FEEP and "Pride, Proficiency and Prosperity" address the following USDA strategic Goal 2: Support Increased Economic Opportunities and Improved Quality of Life in Rural America and Strategic Goal 4: Improve the Nation's Nutrition and Health. Changes/Problems: Our programmatic evaluation is both formative and summative in nature. Changes are made in program implementation as the need arises. The reduction of funds due to the sequester will necessitate a reduction of some program services. The core effort will be the same, but the number of offerings may be reduced. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? FEEP continues to provide workshops/trainings to strengthen families or parents knowledge in the areas of health, nutrition, and financial education. Traditional craft nights provided to SIPI students, staff and Tribal community members this past year have grown in popularity. An example of some projects are sewing traditional clothing, weaving, beading, sewing in general, or knitting projects. Many of our Tribal communities struggle with continuing these type of skills. Trainers of such activities are SIPI students, or Tribal community members who want to share their skills or experise. Professional Development consists of the 45-Hour Course (State of New Mexico's) mandated course for Head Start, and Childcare program staff, has been provided on-site for two (2) Tribal communities (Jicarilla Early Childhood and Family Education Center, and Laguna Pueblo Early Childhood Center). PI Nancy Garcia, for FEEP holds the State of New Mexico 45-Hour course certification to provide training. Two First Aid/CPR courses for adults and children have been provided to SIPI staff, and to community members who provide homecare to the elderly in tribal communities. FEEP continues to provide monthly Family Night activities to SIPI students, staff, Tribal community families PPP has provided several opportunities for both training and professional development in the areas of eCommerce, Small Business Administration (SBA), How to track and price art, develop Artist Statement and Portfolio. An abstract by PPP coordinator was submitted and accepted to present at FALCON 2012 Annual Conference held here in Albuquerque, New Mexcio. The student panel presentation on "Pride and Proficiency and Prosperity" - A project to preserve Traditional Native Arts and Traditional Foods to empower Native Business was facilitated by working artist from first cohort. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? The FEEP activities are desseminated by word of mouth, through flyers posted here on the SIPI campus, through individual mailing to participants, by emails to SIPI staff and students, by visiting community programs to do face-to-face introduction of our programs and projects. FEEP will provide on-site trainings when requested, or will provide resource information if the request cannot be fulfilled by FEEP personnel. Information about our programs is also shared during SIPI's Student/Family Orientation, either by oral presentation or by setting up an information booth. SIPI's master calendar is also utilized. PPP dissemination of activities include infomational and promotional booths at trade shows such as the 7th Annual New Mexico Native AmericanEconomic Summit, Pueblo Feast Days, Founders Day Fiesta in Albuquerque, traditional arts and craft shows, circulation of flyers for classes and workshops, written information, electronic media, and person-to-person contact have all been utilized to disseminate program information to students and tribal communities. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? The long-term goal of this project is to increase the number of American Indian youth and families with the knowledge and skills to become healthy, productive, financially secure, environmentally responsible members of society and to strengthen family member's ability to serve as role-models at home and within their Tribal communities. Short-term goals are to: 1. Provide culturally appropriate training, resouces and information in the areas of greatest need as determined by Tribal communities, and 2. Assist in developing and maintaining a family and community resource center at each Tribal site and Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute for materials developed through SIPI's Family and Child Development Program and Business Technologies Department. The overall objective of the Family Extension and Education Program is to develop a model extension and community-based program while developing skills and helping Tribal community members strengthen their competencies to become healthy, productive, financially secure through training at SIPI and via a distance education format for Tribal communities at remote locations. FEEP will continue to meet goals and objectives by providing: 1) On-going Family Night activities in all areas and Traditional Craft nights, which reflect the interest of participants, provide opportunity for participant feedback to utilize for continued improvement., and expand on the scope of Traditonal crafts. 2) Increase number of on-site training opportunities to outside Tribal communities. 3) Disseminate three (3) Newsletters within the funded year to stakeholders and Tribal communities. "Pride, Proficiency and Prosperity" is the Special Emphasis Grant associated with this award. It has the following two (2) goals: 1. To promote the preservation of Traditional Native arts and crafts; 2. To help five Native artisans per year establish a small business. The project addresses the welfare of the community, both in cultural preservation and in economic growth. Due to significant new collaborative contact made through economic development meetings, and conferences, such as Native American Economic Summit in May of 2013, and special events such as the Founders Day Festival held in Albuquerque, New Mexico. PPP will continue to meet goals and objectives by providing: 1) Hold two (2) "Business of Art" seminars, providing training for both recruited artists and potential artisans. These seminars will serve as a forum to introduce additional business basics, available resources and technical assistance, as well as provide an opportunity to network, explore barriers and share information about opportunities in the Native arts industry. 2) Hold two (2) workshops in surrounding Tribal communities which will include a general discussion on the arts, state and Federal laws, work on developing marketing materials, how to produce a professional portfolio for artisans who sell to galleries or other retailers. 3) One Native Art Show with the recruited artisans in the program assisting with the organization, development, and mentoring the event. 4) Five new artisans will be recruited for the third (3rd) and final cohort, mentoring will be done by PPP coordinator and current recruitied artisans. 5) Project Coordinator and recurited artisans will attend a 2-day Indianpreneurship Business training in Albuquerque for small business development sponsored by the SBA Office of Native American Affairs.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The Family Extension and Education Program (FFEP) continues to be a model extension and community-based program while developing skills and helping tribal community members strengthen their competencies to become healthy, productive, and financially secure through informal educational opportunities at SIPI and within the communities. The current funding consists of the main Family Extension and Education Program (FEEP) and a Special Emphasis Grant, "Pride, Proficiency and Prosperity" (PPP). We have continued to meet our goals through continued workshops. We have had (5) Family Night activities, and (12) traditional craft night activities a total of (315) individuals from our SIPI students, SIPI staff and Tribal community members and their extended family members have been in attendance. Traditional craft nights have grown in popularity, FEEP and PPP have partnered to provide these activities. FEEP has provided two (2) traditonal craft workshops to one (1) Tribal community (Santa Clara Pueblo) who requested it to be held on site. Our traditional craft nights consist of sewing traditional clothing, moccasin making, beading, etc. and we have a request for traditional baking of pies and cookies. Many of our Native communities are losing some of these traditional activities and the FEEP programs support the communities in keeping these skills alive by providing our younger Native students and outside Native communitiy members the opportunity to learn. FEEP continues supporting SIPI's student clubs' activities such as Health week held here on campus in April 2013. The entire SIPI community of students and staff was involved in the activity. Six artisans have been recruited for the 2nd cohort of PPP. In compliance with grant requirements all have provided workshops in their art mediums. There has been (237) individuals in attendance at the Traditonal Craft Nights workshops since August 2012. These workshops have been well received. The recruited artisans have received instruction or developed skills through workshops using the "Money Matters" curriculum, and short meetings available through collaboration with outside agencies such as the Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Native American Affairs. A financial skills curriculum for Native communities was offered to SIPI students and tribal community members however interested artists were also invited. Artisans have also had the opportunity to sell their wares by attending trade shows, participation in arts and craft fairs or Tribal Community Feast days. Nancy Garcia and Vonne Strobbe spearhead both projects. They both have significant experience in implemenation of community outreach project.s
Publications
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Progress 09/01/11 to 08/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The Family Extension and Education Program (FEEP) is composed of five basic components.Train the Trainer Institute and Professional Development has served as a vehicle for in-service training for communities,and Head Start Centers.Training has been provided in the areas of health, nutrition,early childhood education, parenting, traditional crafts and personal financial management. 45-Hour Course-This course is mandated by the state of New Mexico for all people who work with children in a child care or Head Start setting. Workshops were held at SIPI and within the communities. Head Start Workshops-Relevant in-service training has been provided to Head Start and Child Care Center staff within the communities as well as at conferences throughout the southwest. Thematic Family Nights have provided informal educational activities on a monthly basis to families at SIPI and within outlying communities. Noon workshops, Saturday workshops and evening workshops are held on a regular basis on specific topics requested by community members. Traditional Craft Nights have been a favorite among students and community members. A Native artisan is contracted to teach a traditional craft in which they are proficient. This provides knowledge and at the same time preserves Native culture. The Age-Appropriate Instructional Materials Lending Library houses a variety of hands-on instructional materials,as well as an extensive collection of Native American children's literature that centers and families may borrow. Pride, Proficieny, and Prosperity is a Special Emphasis grant under FEEP.Its goal is to help Native artists establish their own businesses and preserve traditional Native crafts. An advisory Board of Native artists was established. They in turn took material and ideas to other successful Native artists to find out exactly what they thought needed to be included in a program designed to help other artisans market and sell their artwork in today's technological world and to help preserve Native traditional art in its purest form.The program was advertised at pow-wows, Feast Days, craft shows and by word of mouth. Five artisans were selected for the first cohort. They came weekly to complete the first half of the basic business course, as it was determined that the second half and mentoring needed to be more on an individual basis. Each of the artisans has been hired to instruct their art in the Traditional Craft Nights which have been very successful. The artists decided to form a cooperative to sell their wares throughout the country at Native American craft shows. A representative from Washington,DC who saw their work at the Gathering of Nations in Albuquerque was so impressed by the quality and variety of the work that he invited them to display at the upcoming inaugural show in Washington, DC in January.Participation is by invitation only. An effort to increase the number of participants in the business course is one of the goals for the year.Five artists will be selected for the second cohort. These artists will be mentored by the grant staff, but also by the first year cohort.Traditional Craft Nights will continue and will be expanded in scope. PARTICIPANTS: Nancy Garcia and B. Joan Goodman spearheaded both projects. They both have significant experience in implementaation of community outreach project. Native artisans were hired to teach the Traditional Craft Nights. They are community members of Native communities and have all had many years of experience creating traditional art. In addition to New Mexico Natives, we have contracted SIPI students who represent tribal communities from across the nation. This has added depth to the program.In the financial education domain, we have established partnerships with First Nations, Office of Special Trust and USA funds. All of our partners have furnished materials to enrich our program. USA Funds also provided funding to expand the peer education program. Staff and students have received training in the implementation of Building Native Communities for financial education. They,in turn, have provided students and staff with training and development in the areas of financial education, health and early childhood education. TARGET AUDIENCES: The proposed "Family Extension and Education Program" builds upon an existing collaborative relationship between Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute (SIPI) and surrounding Native American communities. The overall objective of the Family Extension and Education Program is to develop a model extension and community education program while providing training in family and child development, resource management, personal financial management, nutrition, diet and health at SIPI and via distance education format for Native American communities in remote locations. The workshops and activities offered by FEEP reflect community needs as determined through focus groups, workshop evaluations, and other community sources of feedback. The ability to better meet the educational needs of Native Americans and to reach remote and rural Tribal communities through distance learning formats is aligned with SIPI's mission and its commitment to develop long-term goals to ensure support and assistance to Native American communities. "Pride, Proficiency and Prosperity" promotes the preservation of Traditional Native Craft skills and the formation of Native-owned businesses through Traditional Craft Nights. The program will partner with Native artisans to establish a small business to sell their own art. Support includes mentorship, business advice, financial support, and networking opportunities. "FEEP" and "Pride, Proficiency and Prosperity" address the following USDA strategic goals: Strategic Goal 2: Support Increased Economic Opportunities and Improved Quality of Life in Rural America and Strategic Goal 4: Improve the Nation's Nutrition and Health. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
FEEP continues to have an impact on the SIPI community, as well as on surrounding tribal communities. The monthly "Family Nights" have been implemented at SIPI. The consistency of format for these evenings has made them easily replicable in the communities. The participants have self-reported an increase in nutrition and health knowledge that they transfer into their daily lives. The children frequently comment on the fact that they eat more fruits and vegetables than before and are more physically active. The parents self-report an increase in the use of healthy meal choices within their homes. Several families have started small gardens and grow some of the food they eat. The college students have assumed personal responsibility for their health.At the request of the students,Student Senate and the recreation department sponsor both individual and team sport activities. The The change in attitude is due in part to increased knowledge gained at FEEP activities. SIPI students will carry the knowledge and habits developed at SIPI back to their home communities. Financial education has been addressed for through workshops and the distribution of printed material.All students who receive financial aid are strongly encouraged to take a three hour workshop on spending plans, savings, and credit.The financial education workshops, tailored to the needs and experiences of the participants,last from three to eight hours. Workshops are well attended by faculty, staff, students and members of surrounding tribal communities. Participants self-report better financial management understanding and the ability to make informed choices. FEEP has provided the state mandated 45-Hour course for Head Start and Childcare workers within the communities. The impact is enormous on the community Head Start and Childcare Programs, as it provides necessary training to meet state requirements. The Traditional Craft Nights have resulted in an increase in the number of people who are skilled in producing Native crafts.SIPI has received funding to expand the program to include instruction and support in establishing a small business featuring traditional art and craft items. This addresses the extensive un-employment rate among Native American by creating fifteen new businesses over the period of the new grant. The Family Extension and Education Program at SIPI has met its objectives as stated in the funded proposal. The program is considered a valuable resource by individuals and by community organizations in the areas of health, education, networking and financial education.The full impact of the Pride, Proficiency, and Prosperity program will not be seen until all three years of activity have been completed. The program has enabled the five artisans to get a wider exposure for their work and to form a Native cooperative. They will continue to receive mentoring and training in setting up Web-sites and marketing techniques. The Traditional Craft Nights are a success and serve as an Indian identity anchor for many of our staff and students. We have met our objective this year of serving over 100 students in the Craft Nights.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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