Performing Department
Family Studies & Human Service
Non Technical Summary
Military connected youth and families experience a number of challenges in their daily lives. Such factors as frequent relocation, repeated and lengthy deployment, issues associated with reunion and reintegration, single parent households, lower income, and family members returning home wounded or not at all put these youth and families at risk. It is important for youth to have opportunities to develop self-confidence, build resiliency, and experience personal growth supported by people and their environment. 4-H supports the development of life skills that help youth and families tackle these issues with meaning and purpose. This program will provide quality, experientially delivered, age appropriate, positive youth development programming to meet the changing needs of military youth and families. Sub-awards to states/territories will support 4-H youth development programs for military connected youth that include 4-H clubs, camps, special projects, after school programs, and other 4-H opportunities. Air Force/4-H Youth Camps will provide opportunities for Air Force youth to develop leadership, communication and teamwork skills. Navy/4-H residential camps with a science, technology, engineering, art, and math focus will provide Navy teen youth an opportunity to build life skills in leadership, communication, and teamwork. Program evaluations, impact statements, and report data from the consortium of Land Grant Universities will be summarized in an annual report. Navy Child and Youth Programs staff will participate in professional development trainings on 4-H positive youth development. Army Child, Youth and School Services foodservice staff will participate in training for the Healthy Menu Initiative. Army child and youth programs will provide opportunities for learning about food preparation and nutrition. The overall goal of this program is to create environments and offer experiences that promote positive growth and development for military connected children and youth. This partnership allows military programs access to Extension services that support the military goal of consistent, predictable services for youth across all installations.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
4-H Military Partnerships/Air Force Camps/Navy Camps Goal: A consortium of Land Grant University 4-H programs will create environments and offer experiences that promote positive growth and development for military connected youth and opportunities to gain new knowledge and skills in Citizenship, Healthy Living, and Science.Objective 1: To expand 4-H opportunities (4-H clubs, camps, special projects) for military connected youth on installations worldwide and geographically dispersed youth of National Guard and Reserve service members.Army Outreach Support Goal: To support the Army Child, Youth and School Services Healthy Lifestyle Initiative through foodservice staff training, assistance with menu implementation, and the development of food preparation activities for children and youth. Foodservice staff will increase their skills in healthy cooking techniques, cost efficient food production, food safety, and kitchen management. Children and youth will be provided opportunities for learning about food preparation and nutrition.Objective 1: To provide two one-week training sessions for Army Child, Youth and School Services foodservice staff. Trainings will include developing skills in culinary techniques, nutrition, cost efficient food production, food safety, and kitchen management.Objective 2: To develop a food preparation program/curriculum for Army Child, Youth and School Services that meets and builds on the developmental needs of all children and youth in the Army child and youth programs.Navy Outreach Support Goal: Navy Child and Youth Programs staff will gain knowledge and skills in 4-H positive youth development and experiential learning.Objective 1: To provide 4-H trainings for Navy Child and Youth Programs staff members.
Project Methods
There are four major components to the 4-H Military Partnerships and Outreach Support Program.1. 4-H Military Partnerships: The Project Plan will encompass a process for developing a Request for Applications (RFA) for Land Grant Universities to provide 4-H programs and opportunities for military connected youth on installations worldwide and within communities. The RFA will include a scope of work to include requirements related to 4-H clubs and programs on installations, training for military staff and volunteers, and 4-H opportunities for geographically dispersed military connected youth. The scope of work for the sub-awards is developed by the Land Grant University Extension 4-H faculty in collaboration with the military child and youth staff on the installation(s) in their state. Reporting requirements are described in the RFA and include data collection and impact statements. Budget narratives will follow USDA budget guidelines and must support the goals and objectives of the sub-award proposal. Technical assistance and support to the states with sub-awards for the 4-H Military Partnership Grants will be provided by Project staff. Sub-awardees will be required to report against their identified outputs and outcomes in the mid-year and final report.2. Army Outreach Support: a) Additional training sessions for Army Child, Youth and School Services foodservice staff will include culinary techniques, nutrition, cost efficient food production, food safety, and kitchen management. In developing the training sessions for the foodservice staff, evaluation feedback from the initial training sessions will be reviewed and used to modify the training as appropriate. b) A standardized evaluation tool will be developed to assist with the implementation of the new menus at the pilot sites. Project personnel will visit the menu test sites and asses food quality and child acceptance of the new menu items. Project personnel will meet with parents and facility directors to gather additional data. Project personnel will also meet with the foodservice staff to gather information on issues related to implementation, cost, supply, and food quality. c) In developing a food preparation program/curriculum for Army Child, Youth and School Services, separate curriculum will be developed for each of the following approximate age categories: 3-5 year olds; 5-7 year olds; 8-11 year olds; 12-15 year olds; and those 16 years and older. Activities for the older children and adolescents will include, meal planning, recipe use, using a peeler and a grater, and safely using an oven and stovetop. Nutrition and food safety will be included throughout the curriculum for all children. Lessons will be piloted at nearby military installations and evaluation feedback will be used to improve the overall project.3. Air Force Outreach Support: Kansas State University will request applications from Land Grant Universities to support Air Force Child and Youth Programs youth/teen 4-H camping experiences for Air Force Active Duty, Air National Guard and/or Air Force Reserve dependents. Camps may include residential or day camps that provide safe camping opportunities and offer a variety of activities that help develop leadership skills, build resiliency, enhance communication skills, introduce STEM initiatives, foster teamwork, prepare students for college, and introduces content based in traditional 4-H youth development programming. A Camp Outcome Report is required within 10 days of the completion of each camp experience.4. Navy Outreach Support: Kansas State University will sub-award five Navy Specialty Camps to Land Grant Universities as part of the Navy/4-H Military Partnership. All camps focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) in environments specific to the states in which the camps are held. The Project Director will announce the availability of funds to support the Specialty Camps to Land Grant University 4-H Programs. Universities will submit a letter of interest and complete a Navy Teen Summer Camp Program Requirements and Host Site Request Form that includes specific information about the overall goal of the camp, extra-curricular activities, pre-requisites, physical limitations, safety, lodging, meals, arrival and departure dates, and airport/city closest to the camp. A review team will select 5 camps for funding after which the states will submit a scope of work and budget narrative. At the conclusion of camp, the camp point of contact provides a final impact report, camp data, and pictures of youth participating in activities at camp.