Getting Started in Iowa 4 H Afterschool Rollout

Getting Started in Iowa 4 -H Afterschool Rollout Conference Newton, Iowa October 22 – 23, 2003

Iowa In-Service Objectives · · To increase your knowledge of the need for and benefits of afterschool programs To increase your knowledge of the role Cooperative Extension can play in the afterschool market To increase your knowledge of the objectives of the National 4 -H Afterschool Initiative To increase your knowledge of the resources available from 4 -H Afterschool to support the work of states and counties conducting afterschool programming.

Special Thanks to our Funders · J. C. Penney Foundation · John Deere Foundation · Iowa State 4 -H and Youth Program

It’s a new ballgame!

Play Ball!

Everyone Wins!

After-School Programs: What’s the Buzz? Have “exploded into the nation’s consciousness. ” n The hours between 3: 00 and 6: 00 p. m. are the “prime time for crime or youth enrichment and achievement. ” n Interest is “unprecedented. ” n There is an “explosion” of programs. n Such programs are the “cornerstone” of the goal to reduce crime. n

Rationale: Why After-School Programs? n Changing family situations n Time of risk or opportunity n Research support for benefits of participation

Key Findings 2002 Afterschool Alliance Poll Respondents: 800 Adults, 18 years or older, who are registered voters Location: Nationwide Date of Poll: August 13 -21, 2002 Polling Firm: Lake Snell Perry & Associates and the Tarrance Group Source: Afterschool Alliance Web Page http: //www. afterschoolalliance. org

90% believe there is a need for after-school programs. 93% agree that after-school programs are needed, even in states with budget deficits. 77% feel after-school programs are an absolute necessity for their community.

90% of parents who are not at home in afternoon when their children get home believe after-school programs are a necessity. 70% say after-school programs are important to them personally.

95% of parents with children in after-school programs say their children are safer and less likely to be involved with juvenile crime than children not in programs. 92% of these parents indicated that their children do better in reading, writing, and math as a result of their participation in afterschool programs.

Some significant negative consequences: • Youth are at greater risk of being victims of violent crime. • Juvenile crime triples at 3 p. m. • Greater risk of substance abuse and sexual activity • Anti-social behavior • School dropout

• • Low academic performance and poor grades Over exposure to television Truancy Accidents

Some significant benefits include: • • Improved academic performance Reduction in youth crime and risky behavior Reduction in sexual activity Reduction in drug use Increased school success and high school graduation Improved social skills Improved school attendance

• • • Reduction in school dropout Increased homework completion and quality Improved self-confidence Improved interpersonal skills Increased life skills

Required Elements of Quality Child Care, School-Age Care, and Out -of-School Programs for Older Youth and Teens Experiences to Promote Physical, Cognitive, Social, Emotional Development of Children/Youth and Strengthen Family Relationships D n io ev e at lo pm uc Ed en t Educational Experiences to Promote Learning Caregiving Experiences that: - Nurture - Guide - Protect - Meet Basic Needs Care Quality Child Care, School-Age Care, and Out-of-School Programs for Older Youth and Teens Source: Cooperative Extension System Extension “Cares” for America’s Children and Youth Initiative March, 2001

Rationale: Extension Involvement in After-School Programs n Reach audiences not otherwise reached n Opportunity to take a leadership role in addressing community needs

Extension’s Niche Remains close to local needs. n Creates customized programs. n Connects with land-grant university research base. n Employs high quality faculty and staff with expertise in youth development and a connection to a national network. n

Objectives • • • Increase the quality and availability of afterschool programs Increase numbers of 4 -H members and volunteers Increase usage of 4 -H curricula among youth in after-school programs Increase skills and knowledge of after-school staff Increase awareness of 4 -H program Increase the skills and knowledge of Extension professionals in after-school programming

For more information: http: //www. 4 hafterschool. org http: //www. reeusda. gov/extensioncares/ (click evaluation button) http: //www. cyfernet. org/ http: //www. nncc. org/ http: //www. jcpenney. net/company/ afterschool/index. htm (click national partners) http: //www. national 4 -hheadquarters. gov/

National 4 -H Afterschool Initiative Objectives ØIncrease the quality and availability of after-school programs ØIncrease numbers of 4 -H members and volunteers ØIncrease usage of 4 -H curricula among youth in afterschool programs ØIncrease skills and knowledge of after-school staff ØIncrease awareness of 4 -H programs ØIncrease the skills and knowledge of Extension professionals in after-school programming