Getting Started in Iowa

4-H Afterschool Rollout Conference

Newton, Iowa

October 22 – 23, 2003

Iowa Iowa In-Service ObjectivesIn-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 Special Thanks to our Fundersto our Funders

J.C. Penney Foundation John Deere Foundation Iowa State 4-H and Youth Program

It’s a new ballgame!It’s a new ballgame!

Play Ball!Play Ball!

Everyone Wins!Everyone Wins!

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

of participationof participation

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

• Low academic performance and Low academic performance and poor gradespoor grades

• 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 behaviorReduction in youth crime and risky behavior• Reduction in sexual activityReduction in sexual activity• Reduction in drug useReduction in drug use• Increased school success and high school Increased school success and high school

graduationgraduation• Improved social skillsImproved social skills• Improved school attendanceImproved school attendance

• Reduction in school dropoutReduction in school dropout• Increased homework Increased homework

completion and qualitycompletion and quality• Improved self-confidenceImproved self-confidence• Improved interpersonal skillsImproved interpersonal skills• Increased life skillsIncreased life skills

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

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 in Opportunity to take a leadership role in addressing community needsaddressing 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 Employs high quality faculty and staff

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

• Increase the quality and availability of after-Increase the quality and availability of after-school programsschool programs

• Increase numbers of 4-H members and Increase numbers of 4-H members and volunteersvolunteers

• Increase usage of 4-H curricula among youth Increase usage of 4-H curricula among youth in after-school programsin after-school programs

• Increase skills and knowledge of after-school Increase skills and knowledge of after-school staffstaff

• 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

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/

National 4-H Afterschool Initiative ObjectivesNational 4-H Afterschool Initiative Objectives

Increase the quality and availability of after-school programsIncrease numbers of 4-H members and volunteersIncrease usage of 4-H curricula among youth in after-school programsIncrease skills and knowledge of after-school staffIncrease awareness of 4-H programsIncrease the skills and knowledge of Extension professionals in after-school programming