Progress 09/15/24 to 09/14/25
Outputs
Target Audience:This project is specifically tasked with providing technical assistance and professional development to ensure availablity of Land Grant University resources and 4-H youth development programming for military-connected audiences. To accomplish this work, the target audiences for this project include program managers and policy directors for the military service components, Joint Services Program Managers, School Age Care and Youth Program Center Directors, National Guard State Program Directors and State Program Coordinators, Army Youth Programs Coordinators and Directors, Boys and Girls Clubs of America program staff who partner with 4-H programming, and State 4-H Military Liaisons. Individuals at these levels influence and direct the work of the front-line staff who implement programming. Changes/Problems:There are no major changes to the plan of work. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Presentations to Marine Corps school age and youth program directors on 4-H Military Partnership, integrating 4-H into programming and 4-H resources. In absence of Army 4-H Specialist, supported Army with technical assistance and presentations to Army youth program directors and Army Youth Programs in Your Neighborhood coordinators on 4-H Military Partnership, integrating 4-H into programming and 4-H resources. Presented virtual training for Boys and Girls Club of America Military Leadership Institute on "Using 4-H and BGCA resources to support military-connected youth". Presented at Army National Guard Professional Development Conference for state Program Directors and State Program Coordinators to collaborate and build the capacity of the partnership. Presented on 4-H resources, programming and partnership potential. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Complete accountability reports for USDA on progress of goals and objectives. Write articles for OSD MC&FP Weekly Activity Report Regularly contribute to monthly 4-H MP newsletter Developed executive summary on Joint Service Teen Council Summit to share with DoD leadership. Completed NCSU Extension reporting requirements. Regularly communicate and update to Child and Youth Program policy team updates, monthly Child and Youth Program Managers Meeting, joint services program managers work group meetings, NCSU 4-H MP and DoD and 4-H Military Work Group. Sync meetings twice a week with DoD Youth Programs analyst. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Continue developing relationships with OSD and the Services to assess program needs for resources, training and technical support. Provide professional development for additional components of child and youth programs including family child care providers, school liaisons and additional Services of Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Army, Guard and Reserves. Communicate with Services on attending national 4-H leadership events and support attendance at National 4-H Conference and Ignite by 4-H. Increase support and recognition of 4-H Positive Youth Development Program and resources to Services from headquarters to installation level. Continue looking for ways to develop relationship among OSD, USDA, National 4-H Council and the Services.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Goal 1: To create strategies for communication and capacity-building that will better support and link military-connected audiences to existing and expanded resources Hold two 4-H Military Partnership Specialists meetings per month (Navy, DAF). The team meets to communicate, discuss updates, needs of services, collaborate on joint projects/support, and provide consistency across the services. Developed 4-H Information Papers (long version and short version of document) to be used within DoD. Collaborated with National 4-H Council in developing a relationship between OSD and Council. Facilitated meeting with OSD and Council. Hosted Council introductory briefing for Service Program Managers. Several virtual meetings with Council to discuss OSD working with USDA and Council to deepen and strengthen the 4-H relationship. Developed a calendar for Services to de-conflict 4-H events, BGCA events and training. Serve on 4-H Military Partnership Working Group that meets six times per year, to plan professional development, communicate among extension regions and identify ways to sustain and expand the partnership. Attended and presented at Army National Guard Professional Development Conference for state Program Directors and State Program Coordinators to collaborate and build the capacity of the partnership. Presented on 4-H resources, programming and partnership potential. Goal 2: To further develop and implement programming that promotes participation of military-connected children, youth, and teens National 4-H STEM Challenge - Food For Thought. Developed and disseminated materials promote to the Services. Created a PowerPoint presentation on how to integrate the National 4-H STEM Challenge in to military school-age and youth programs. Hosted a two virtual STEM Challenge events, with guest presenter (dietician) from DoD on food security. As part of 4-H Military Specialist team, developed campaign for National 4-H Week to share with state 4-H partners as well as military partners at the installations. Developed marketing tools, including ideas how installations can participate in the week, Social Media Posts and Flyers. Led two free virtual 4-H Hands on programs for 7-13 year old military-connected youth. Briefed Child and Youth Program Mangers and the Joint Service Youth Program Managers on National 4-H Week. Developed an internal 4-H Week campaign for Military Community and Family Policy child and youth programs leadership and Military Community and Family Policy Director. Lead much of the planning, organization and logistical facilitation of the Joint Services Teen Council Summit for 17 military-connected teens to research, discuss and prioritize issues. Teens presented issues to senior DoD leaders at the Pentagon. Led the OSD participation in National 4-H Conference. Led the team that developed DoD "Challenge Question" relating to youth mental health. Organized panel of senior DoD leaders to receive briefing at the Pentagon. Coordinated and facilitated youth delegates visit to the Pentagon to present briefing. Recruited DoD partners to participate in Career Expo. As part of 4-H Military Specialist team, planned and collaborated on 4-H events and resources to support Month of the Military Child (MOMC). Collaborate with National 4-H Council in their developing a unique logo. Hosted two virtual MOMC events for youth and families. Developed social media posts and resources for local 4-H programs to utilize to support MOMC. Coordinated registration and attendance for Ignite by 4-H, National 4-H Conference and 4-H Citizenship Washington Focus for Department of Air Force, Army and Marine Corps. Due to DoD travel ban, youth were not able to attend some of the events. Collaborated with Purdue University on communication and support of Military Teen Adventure Camp. Liaised with Purdue and DoD on obtaining updates, reports and advertising. Presentations to Marine Corps school age and youth program directors on 4-H Military Partnership, integrating 4-H into programming and 4-H resources. In absence of Army 4-H Specialist, supported Army with technical assistance and presentations to Army youth program directors and Army Youth Programs in Your Neighborhood coordinators on 4-H Military Partnership, integrating 4-H into programming and 4-H resources. Goal 3: To enhance opportunities for professional development and technical assistance for DoD youth development professionals via existing and expanding opportunities Began hosting and restructuring the 4-H MP Bimonthly virtual meeting for Liaisons and Service HQ partners. Meetings were previously hosted by the university that held the Outreach and Support grant funds. The transition realigned the meetings to include all states and all Services, regardless of whether they received 4-HMPOS grants. Meetings now have a "focus area/topic" each month to better educate all partners. Created an information sheet listing 4-H resources, social media addresses, and website addresses for service program managers to share with installations. Participated in DoD work group with Ohio State University in the development of Virtual Lab School professional development courses for child and youth staff. Reviewed eight Virtual Lab School courses and made written comments and suggestions regarding inclusion of PYD methodology, Trauma Informed Practices, inclusion of youth with varying abilities, developmental and appropriate teaching, experiential learning, 4-H models, etc. Led a new partnership between the DoD child and youth programs and the NASA Astro Camp program. Resulted in NASA training 170 Department of Defense facilitators from 55 locations. Presented virtual training for Boys and Girls Club of America Military Leadership Institute on "Using 4-H and BGCA resources to support military-connected youth". Provided regular updates and communication via in-person meetings, virtually, and in writing to child and youth Program Managers and joint service program managers.
Publications
|
Progress 09/15/23 to 08/31/24
Outputs
Target Audience:
Nothing Reported
Changes/Problems:This project's start was delayed due to challenges at multiple points in the process. While this hindered first-year progress, it will not be an issue to move forward at a rapid pace to make up for lost time at the initial phase. The delay requires that we reconfigure the timeline, but otherwise, we expect to keep on track for success. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
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?With the project fully staffed, we anticipate significant progress on all of the stated goals and objectives. The person in this position has already established connections with stakeholders to make progress on existing project goals, and has also identified additional opportunities to reach relevant audiences in support of the project. This team member will also be working with the National 4-H Military Partnership Working Group and with the youth development specialists from the Army, Air Force, and Navy to make progress on stated goals.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
A delayed beginning for the project limited early activities related to this program. Progress was achieved in Goal 3, Objective 3 with the planning and implementation of the National 4-H Military Partnership Conference.
Publications
|