Getting Started in Iowa
4-H Afterschool Rollout Conference
Newton, Iowa
October 22 – 23, 2003
Iowa
In-Service Objectives
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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?
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Have “exploded into the nation’s
consciousness.”
The hours between 3:00 and 6:00 p.m. are
the “prime time for crime or youth
enrichment and achievement.”
Interest is “unprecedented.”
There is an “explosion” of programs.
Such programs are the “cornerstone” of the
goal to reduce crime.
Rationale:
Why After-School Programs?
Changing family situations
 Time of risk or opportunity
 Research support for benefits
of participation
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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
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Low academic performance and
poor grades
Over exposure to television
Truancy
Accidents
Some significant benefits include:
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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
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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
Caregiving Experiences
that:
- Nurture
- Guide
- Protect
- Meet Basic Needs
Care
Educational
Experiences to
Promote Learning
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
Reach audiences not otherwise
reached
 Opportunity to take a leadership role in
addressing community needs
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Extension’s Niche
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Remains close to local needs.
Creates customized programs.
Connects with land-grant university
research base.
Employs high quality faculty and staff
with expertise in youth development
and a connection to a national
network.
Objectives
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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.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 Objectives
Increase
the quality and availability of after-school
programs
Increase numbers of 4-H members and volunteers
Increase usage of 4-H curricula among youth in afterschool programs
Increase skills and knowledge of after-school staff
Increase awareness of 4-H programs
Increase the skills and knowledge of Extension
professionals in after-school programming