University of New Hampshire University of New Hampshire

Cooperative ExtensionCooperative Extension

Presentation for the

Maynard and Audrey Heckel Maynard and Audrey Heckel Extension Educator FellowshipExtension Educator Fellowship

Paula J. Gregory

May 19, 2008

““CYFAR” CYFAR” meansmeans

Children, Youth and Children, Youth and Families At-RiskFamilies At-Risk

CYFAR Inspires HOPE ““My neighbors are always My neighbors are always

telling me I’m no good…telling me I’m no good…

… …that I’ll end up in jail - that I’ll end up in jail - just like my brothers. just like my brothers.

I learned that I can be I learned that I can be somebody different. somebody different. It’s really up to me.”It’s really up to me.” - Boy, Age 15

CYFAR Provides OPPORTUNITYOPPORTUNITY…

““I used to be real nasty to I used to be real nasty to everyone. everyone.

There are 8 kids in my house… There are 8 kids in my house… we never go anywhere… there’s we never go anywhere… there’s no money. no money.

The program opened up the The program opened up the world for me. I like myself world for me. I like myself better.”better.” - G- Girl, Age 14

CYFAR Raises EXPECTATIONS…

““My daughter thought she was My daughter thought she was stupid. YOU changed that! stupid. YOU changed that!

The 4-H staff and scientists The 4-H staff and scientists proved she was good at proved she was good at science. science.

Now she has A’s in math! She Now she has A’s in math! She made the honor roll!”made the honor roll!”

- Parent

Defining “At-Risk”…Defining “At-Risk”…

PovertyNo high school

diploma or GEDAbuse / neglectDelinquency

CYFAR MissionCYFAR Mission

Land Grant and Cooperative Extension systems “marshall resources” in collaboration with other organizations to develop and deliver educational programs that equip youth - who are at risk for not meeting basic human needs - with the knowledge and skills to help them lead positive, productive contributing lives.

Educational & Technical SupportEducational & Technical SupportAmong the many faculty and staff who have assisted CYFAR projects:

Cathy Apfel, M.EdInstitute on Disability, UNH

Kristine Baber, Ph.D.Center on Adolescence, UNH

Mary Banach, D.S.W.Dept. of Social Work, UNH

Elizabeth Dolan, Ph.D.Dept. of Family Studies, UNH

David Finkelhor, Ph.D.Family Research Laboratory, UNH

Stephanie HalterDept. of Justice Studies, PSU

Scott Meyer, Ph.D.Dept of Social Work, PSU

Barrett N. Rock, Ph.D.Institute for Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space, UNH

Sharyn Zunz, Ph.D.Dept. of Social Work, UNH

From this…From this… To this…To this…

CYFAR helps move youth…CYFAR helps move youth…

Youth At -Risk Youth with Promise

The NH CYFAR Journey…The NH CYFAR Journey…1991-20081991-2008

6 communities

$2.03 million in grants

1,487 children & youth

830 families

250 collaborators

70 program staff

Attributes of Effective Attributes of Effective CYFAR ProgramsCYFAR Programs

Safe environmentsSafe environments

Positive youth developmentPositive youth development

Family involvementFamily involvement

Quality programsQuality programs

Celebration of cultureCelebration of culture

Collaboration Collaboration

Multiple strategiesMultiple strategies

Youth Opportunities Unlimited Manchester 1991 – 1996

• 80% of youth say Y.O.U. 80% of youth say Y.O.U. helped them in school helped them in school

• 79% of parents see 79% of parents see improved problem solvingimproved problem solving

• City saved $72,692 in City saved $72,692 in special special education budgeteducation budget

Extension Project Teams - 1998-2003Extension Project Teams - 1998-2003B.E.S.T. After-school Enrichment Boscawen

Deborah CheeverNancy EvansKathleen JaworskiMarilyn Sullivan

CREEPY - Haverhill Middle SchoolDeborah MaesKathleen Jablonski

It’s Your Future! Claremont Middle School

Nancy BerryGail KennedyRobin Luther

B.E.S.T. Afterschool Program Boscawen 1998-2003

Children learn Children learn from teen from teen mentorsmentors..

Citizen scientists Citizen scientists monitor nesting monitor nesting boxes… and boxes… and explore marine explore marine habitat.habitat.

230 youth improved grades, 230 youth improved grades, aspirations and hope for the aspirations and hope for the future.future.

““The program has changed The program has changed perceptions and that is half perceptions and that is half the battle”.the battle”. School administrator

It’s Your Future!It’s Your Future!

Claremont 1998-2003Claremont 1998-2003

Haverhill C.R.E.E.P.Y. After-school Program - 1998-2003

75% said 75% said homework time homework time helped them in helped them in

schoolschool

87% made new 87% made new friends in the programfriends in the program

71% of teachers 71% of teachers saw improved saw improved

sharing, sharing, respect, and respect, and social skillssocial skills

Extension Project Teams – 2004-09Extension Project Teams – 2004-09

Hillsboro Area After-school ProgramsHeidi Bennett Julia Steed Mawson

Jolee Chase Jonathan NuteSharon Cowen Daniel ReidyGeorge Hamilton Penny TurnerMichael Koski

Seacoast Youth Leadership Project Lower Seacoast Region

Rick AllevaKaryn Blass Claudia Boozer-BlascoLynn GarlandTerri Schoppmeyer

Hillsboro Area Hillsboro Area Afterschool Programs Afterschool Programs

2004-20092004-2009

• 78% get along better with 78% get along better with peers and familypeers and family

• 93% get their homework 93% get their homework done with program help done with program help

•70% of teachers see 70% of teachers see increased parent involvementincreased parent involvement

Youth said they would like Youth said they would like EVEN MORE TIMEEVEN MORE TIME to to work on their homework!work on their homework! - Project Evaluator

Seacoast Youth Leadership Seacoast Youth Leadership Project 2004-2009Project 2004-2009

We are learning to We are learning to find our way thanks find our way thanks to CYFAR!!to CYFAR!!

• 92% of parents see 92% of parents see improved self confidenceimproved self confidence

• 2/3 say they learned to 2/3 say they learned to help othershelp others

• 50% learned to make 50% learned to make better decisionsbetter decisions

CYFAR Answers Many NEEDSCYFAR Answers Many NEEDS ““I don’t do drugs, guns and gangs. This I don’t do drugs, guns and gangs. This

gives me something better. I wish my old gives me something better. I wish my old friends would join.”friends would join.” - Age 14

““I like coming because I don’t have I like coming because I don’t have any crayons or paper at home.”any crayons or paper at home.”

- Age 7

Educational, Technical & Educational, Technical & Adminstrative SupportAdminstrative Support

Karen BennettShane BradtElizabeth BrinkPeg BoylesTom BuobChris ConlonFaye CraginSiobhan CraigCharlotte CrossBenjamin DavisGinny DiFrancescoAnn DolloffAlan EatonPeter EricksonPaul FisherTimothy FleuryDavid FooteMichele GagneMargaret Hagen

George HamiltonStephen Judd Suzann E. KnightNancy LambertValerie LongDebbie LuppoldSharon MeekerFrank MitchellAlice MullenJonathan NuteNortham ParrRobin PetersJohn PorterJeffrey SchlossTrent SchrieferJudi StraussMary TeboMary TemkeMichael Toepfer

Lisa TownsonSteven WoodBarbara WrightHolly Young

AdministrativePeter HorneJohn PikeJim GradyHugh ChristianEd McAllisterCharlene BaxterGwen BrownWendy BrockTracey AllenSusan BellTim FredetteJanelle GeorgeLynn Harrison

Judie HarveySharon BlakeCheryl CarterSiobhan CraigFaye CraginJan ForbushJeanne HusseyKim JohnsonShirley LeBlancHolly McKinneyDonna MittonNancy OakleyLynn RoySandy RumrillDeborah RussellJulie SabolJulie Simpson

And many others….

CYFAR - helping

to build stronger communities

for our children, youth and families.

May 2008