Why 4-H Afterschool?

Eddie Locklear4-H Afterschool Director

National 4-H Council

What Are After-School What Are After-School Programs?Programs?

• Offered when children and youth are not in Offered when children and youth are not in school and parents need care for themschool and parents need care for them

• Provide safe, healthy, caring, and Provide safe, healthy, caring, and enrichment environmentsenrichment environments

• Include before- and after-school hours, Include before- and after-school hours, teacher workdays, school holidays, teacher workdays, school holidays, summer, and may include weekendssummer, and may include weekends

(continued) (continued)

⇨⇨

What Are After-School What Are After-School Programs?Programs?

• Long-term, structured, sequentially planned Long-term, structured, sequentially planned learning experiences in partnership with learning experiences in partnership with adultsadults

• Are offered every day or several days of the Are offered every day or several days of the week for extended periods of time, may week for extended periods of time, may include weekends tooinclude weekends too

• Sponsored by schools or community groups Sponsored by schools or community groups (Schools, BGCA, YMCA, Faith-based, etc.)(Schools, BGCA, YMCA, Faith-based, etc.)

After-School Programs: After-School Programs: What’s the Buzz?What’s the Buzz?

• Have “exploded into the nation’s Have “exploded into the nation’s consciousness.” consciousness.”

• The hours between 3:00 and 6:00 p.m. are the The hours between 3:00 and 6:00 p.m. are the “prime time for crime “prime time for crime oror youth enrichment and youth enrichment and achievement.” achievement.”

• Interest is “unprecedented.”Interest is “unprecedented.”• There is an “explosion” of programs. There is an “explosion” of programs. • Such programs are the “cornerstone” of the Such programs are the “cornerstone” of the

goal to reduce crime. goal to reduce crime.

Rationale: Rationale: Why After-School Programs?Why After-School Programs?

• Changing family situationsChanging family situations• Time of risk or opportunity Time of risk or opportunity • Research support for benefits of Research support for benefits of

participationparticipation

Key FindingsKey Findings

2002 Afterschool Alliance Poll2002 Afterschool Alliance PollRespondents:Respondents: 800 Adults, 18 years or older, 800 Adults, 18 years or older, who are registered voterswho are registered voters

Location:Location: Nationwide Nationwide

Date of Poll:Date of Poll: August 13-21, 2002 August 13-21, 2002

Polling Firm:Polling Firm: Lake Snell Perry & Associates Lake Snell Perry & Associates and the Tarrance Groupand the Tarrance Group

Source: Afterschool Alliance Web Page

http://www.afterschoolalliance.org

90%90% believe there is a need for after-school believe there is a need for after-school programs.programs.

93% 93% agree that after-school programs are agree that after-school programs are needed, even in states with budget deficits.needed, even in states with budget deficits.

77% 77% feel after-school programs are an absolute feel after-school programs are an absolute necessity for their community.necessity for their community.

90%90% of parents who are not at home in of parents who are not at home in afternoon when their children get home believe afternoon when their children get home believe after-school programs are a necessity.after-school programs are a necessity.

70% 70% say after-school programs are important to say after-school programs are important to them personally.them personally.

95% 95% of parents with children in after-school of parents with children in after-school programs say their children are safer and programs say their children are safer and less likely to be involved with juvenile crime less likely to be involved with juvenile crime than children not in programs.than children not in programs.

92% 92% of these parents indicated that their of these parents indicated that their children do better in reading, writing, and children do better in reading, writing, and math as a result of their participation in after-math as a result of their participation in after-school programs.school programs.

Some significant negative consequences:Some significant negative consequences:• Youth are at greater risk of being victims Youth are at greater risk of being victims

of violent crime.of violent crime.• Juvenile crime triples at 3 p.m.Juvenile crime triples at 3 p.m.• Greater risk of substance abuse and Greater risk of substance abuse and

sexual activitysexual activity• Anti-social behaviorAnti-social behavior• School dropoutSchool dropout (continued) (continued) ⇨⇨

• Low academic performance and poor Low academic performance and poor gradesgrades

• Over exposure to televisionOver exposure to television• TruancyTruancy• AccidentsAccidents

Some significant benefits include:Some significant benefits include:• Improved academic performanceImproved academic performance• Reduction in youth crime and risky Reduction in youth crime and risky

behaviorbehavior• Reduction in sexual activityReduction in sexual activity• Reduction in drug useReduction in drug use• Increased school success and high Increased school success and high

school graduationschool graduation (continued) (continued) ⇨⇨

• Improved social skillsImproved social skills• Improved school attendanceImproved school attendance• Reduction in school dropoutReduction in school dropout• Increased homework completion and Increased homework completion and

qualityquality• Improved self-confidenceImproved self-confidence• Improved interpersonal skillsImproved interpersonal skills• Increased life skillsIncreased life skills

Rationale: Extension Involvement Rationale: Extension Involvement in After-School Programsin After-School Programs

• Reach audiences not otherwise Reach audiences not otherwise reachedreached

• Opportunity to take a leadership role Opportunity to take a leadership role in addressing community needsin addressing community needs

Extension’s NicheExtension’s Niche

• Remains close to local needs.Remains close to local needs.• Creates customized programs.Creates customized programs.• Connects with land-grant university Connects with land-grant university

research base. research base. • Employs high quality faculty and staff with Employs high quality faculty and staff with

expertise in youth development and a expertise in youth development and a connection to a national network.connection to a national network.

4-H Afterschool 4-H Afterschool DefinedDefined

1.1. Are offered during the times children and Are offered during the times children and youth are not in school and their parents are youth are not in school and their parents are in need of safe, healthy, caring, and enriching in need of safe, healthy, caring, and enriching environments for their children. They include environments for their children. They include before- and after-school hours, teacher before- and after-school hours, teacher workdays, school holidays, summer months, workdays, school holidays, summer months, and in some cases, weekends.and in some cases, weekends.

(continued) (continued) ⇨⇨

4-H Afterschool 4-H Afterschool DefinedDefined

2.2. May reach children and youth from May reach children and youth from kindergarten to 12kindergarten to 12thth grades (although not grades (although not necessarily in the same program). necessarily in the same program).

(continued) (continued) ⇨⇨

4-H Afterschool 4-H Afterschool DefinedDefined

3.3. Engage children and youth in long-term, Engage children and youth in long-term, structured, and sequentially planned learning structured, and sequentially planned learning experiences in partnerships with adults. Programs experiences in partnerships with adults. Programs may include those that are offered every day or may include those that are offered every day or several days of the week, every weekend for several days of the week, every weekend for multiple months, in concentrated times such as multiple months, in concentrated times such as resident and day camps, or a combination of these resident and day camps, or a combination of these formats.formats.

(continued) (continued) ⇨⇨

4-H Afterschool 4-H Afterschool DefinedDefined

4.4. Are designed on principles of youth Are designed on principles of youth development to address the interests of development to address the interests of children and youth and their physical, children and youth and their physical, cognitive, social, and emotional needs.cognitive, social, and emotional needs.

• Provide professional development opportunities to Provide professional development opportunities to Cooperative Extension staff and 4-H VolunteersCooperative Extension staff and 4-H Volunteers

• Provide training to after-school staff in a variety of Provide training to after-school staff in a variety of topics including youth development and curricula topics including youth development and curricula deliverydelivery

• Offer 4-H and Cooperative Extension System Offer 4-H and Cooperative Extension System curricula to youth in after-school programscurricula to youth in after-school programs

• Organize 4-H Clubs in after-school programsOrganize 4-H Clubs in after-school programs

Goals of 4-H Goals of 4-H AfterschoolAfterschool

• Increase the quality and availability of after-school Increase the quality and availability of after-school programsprograms

• Increase numbers of 4-H members and volunteersIncrease numbers of 4-H members and volunteers• Increase usage of 4-H curricula among youth in Increase usage of 4-H curricula among youth in

after-school programsafter-school programs• Increase skills and knowledge of after-school staffIncrease skills and knowledge of after-school staff• Increase awareness of 4-H programIncrease awareness of 4-H program• Increase the skills and knowledge of Extension Increase the skills and knowledge of Extension

professionals in after-school programmingprofessionals in after-school programming

ObjectivesObjectives

Required Elements of Required Elements of Quality Child Care, Quality Child Care, School-Age Care, and School-Age Care, and Out-of-School Programs Out-of-School Programs for Older Youth and for Older Youth and TeensTeens

Experiences to PromotePhysical, Cognitive, Social, EmotionalDevelopment of Children/Youth andStrengthen Family Relationships

Educational Experiences to Promote Learning

Caregiving Experiencesthat:- Nurture- Guide- Protect- Meet Basic Needs

Quality Child Care, School-Age Care, and Out-of-School Programs for Older Youth and Teens

Care

Develo

pmen

t Education

Source: Cooperative Extension System Extension “Cares” for America’s Children and Youth Initiative March, 2001

Eight Essential Eight Essential Elements of 4-HElements of 4-H

• A positive relationship with a caring A positive relationship with a caring adultadult

• A safe environmentA safe environment• An inclusive environmentAn inclusive environment• Engagement in learningEngagement in learning

From Dr. Cathann Kress, Essential Elements of 4-H Youth Development From Dr. Cathann Kress, Essential Elements of 4-H Youth Development (2004)(2004) (continued) (continued) ⇨⇨

Eight Essential Eight Essential Elements of 4-HElements of 4-H

• Opportunity for masteryOpportunity for mastery• Opportunity to see oneself as an active Opportunity to see oneself as an active

participant in the futureparticipant in the future• Opportunity for self-determinationOpportunity for self-determination• Opportunity to value and practice service Opportunity to value and practice service

to othersto others

From Dr. Cathann Kress, Essential Elements of 4-H Youth Development (2004)From Dr. Cathann Kress, Essential Elements of 4-H Youth Development (2004)

8 Elements 8 Elements 4 Concepts4 Concepts

• BelongingBelonging• Positive relationship with a caring adultPositive relationship with a caring adult• An inclusive environmentAn inclusive environment• A safe environmentA safe environment

• MasteryMastery• Engagement in learningEngagement in learning• Opportunity for masteryOpportunity for mastery

From Dr. Cathann Kress, Essential Elements of 4-H Youth Development From Dr. Cathann Kress, Essential Elements of 4-H Youth Development (2004)(2004) (continued) (continued) ⇨⇨

8 Elements 8 Elements 4 Concepts4 Concepts

• IndependenceIndependence• Opportunity to see oneself as an active Opportunity to see oneself as an active

participant in the futureparticipant in the future• Opportunity for self-determinationOpportunity for self-determination

• GenerosityGenerosity• Opportunity to value and practice service Opportunity to value and practice service

for othersfor others

From Dr. Cathann Kress, Essential Elements of 4-H Youth Development From Dr. Cathann Kress, Essential Elements of 4-H Youth Development (2004)(2004)

JCPenney JCPenney Afterschool Fund Afterschool Fund

GrantsGrants

• 20042004• 15 $10,000 grants to states15 $10,000 grants to states

• 57 counties57 counties• Over 13,800 youth reachedOver 13,800 youth reached• 226 Extension staff trained226 Extension staff trained

(continued) (continued) ⇨⇨

JCPenney JCPenney Afterschool Fund Afterschool Fund

GrantsGrants

• 20042004• 441 4-H Volunteers441 4-H Volunteers• 934 After-school staff934 After-school staff• 134 New 4-H Clubs134 New 4-H Clubs• 209 Collaborations (141 New ones)209 Collaborations (141 New ones)

Partnerships Partnerships DevelopedDeveloped

• Memoranda of Agreements Memoranda of Agreements (MOA)(MOA)• Boys and Girls Clubs of AmericaBoys and Girls Clubs of America• YMCAYMCA• Junior AchievementJunior Achievement• Afterschool AllianceAfterschool Alliance

System Wide System Wide Impact Impact

• 300,000 Youth reached300,000 Youth reached• 20,000 After-school staff trained20,000 After-school staff trained• 1,500 4-H Clubs in after-school 1,500 4-H Clubs in after-school

programsprograms• 1,400 4-H Staff trained1,400 4-H Staff trained• Over $20 million to 4-H Afterschool Over $20 million to 4-H Afterschool

programming (Cash and In-Kind)programming (Cash and In-Kind)

Where we are Where we are going in 2005 going in 2005

• JCPenney Afterschool Grant ($600,000)JCPenney Afterschool Grant ($600,000)• NFL Charities Grant ($376,500)NFL Charities Grant ($376,500)• 10 Grants to States ($30,000 each)10 Grants to States ($30,000 each)• 25 mini-grants to 4-H Volunteers for after-25 mini-grants to 4-H Volunteers for after-

school workschool work• More Partnerships More Partnerships • Extensive MarketingExtensive Marketing (continued) (continued) ⇨⇨

Where we are Where we are going in 2005 going in 2005

• Two New Resource GuidesTwo New Resource Guides• How to start after-school programsHow to start after-school programs• Recruiting and Training Teen TeamsRecruiting and Training Teen Teams

• Success Stories HighlightedSuccess Stories Highlighted• Web-based Evaluation and ReportingWeb-based Evaluation and Reporting• Enhanced Web site Enhanced Web site • 8 4-H Afterschool Award of Excellence8 4-H Afterschool Award of Excellence

• $500 awards and plaque$500 awards and plaque

4-H Afterschool4-H AfterschoolVisionVision

• All children & youth are in safe, healthy, caring, All children & youth are in safe, healthy, caring, & enriching environments when they are away & enriching environments when they are away from their parents.from their parents.

• 4-H training available to all after-school staff in 4-H training available to all after-school staff in AmericaAmerica

• 4-H curricula available to all youth in after-4-H curricula available to all youth in after-school programs in America school programs in America (continued) (continued) ⇨⇨

4-H Afterschool4-H AfterschoolVisionVision

• Increased numbers of 4-H volunteers and 4-H Increased numbers of 4-H volunteers and 4-H members.members.

• Increased support to States and County 4-H Increased support to States and County 4-H AfterschoolAfterschool

FinancialFinancial Educational ResourcesEducational Resources Marketing MaterialsMarketing Materials Other support as funding allowsOther support as funding allows

For more information:

http://www.4hafterschool.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.national4-hheadquarters.gov/