CYFAR 2021 Event Day 1
The welcome session introduces participants to the CYFAR Professional Development and Technical Assistance Center team, coaches, and the USDA-NIFA sponsor.
The video includes the keynote presentation by Dr. Torie Weiston-Seridan discussing Critical Mentoring.
Breakout 1 includes presentations on critical mentoring, how projects sustained after CYFAR grant funding ended, and lessons gathered by evaluating 4-H STEM programs.
Critical Mentoring
Breakout room discussing the keynote speech.
Where are they now?
Past grantees from Alabama A&M University, West Virginia, and Rutgers present on their work during their CYFAR grants and where that work has gone in the last 2-3 years (or longer). The panel will respond to questions about sustainability and evaluation that helped them along the way, as well as sources of funding they have identified moving forward.
STEM Program Staff Training: Lessons from evaluation of 4-H STEM Programs
Authors Joseph Donaldson and Karen Franck present on their evaluation of 4-H STEM Program Quality, which found areas of need in program staff training and competence. They share information about the report as well as their suggestions on best practices for preparing staff for STEM programs.
Breakout 2 includes presentations on equity guided dialogues, creative approaches to sharing program information, and working with youth experiencing poverty and homelessness.
Just in Time Dialogue
The Equity Guided Dialogues are a series of lessons designed to bring youth together to deliberate, reflect, and take action on social justice issues. Each dialogue focuses on issues that investigate systematic and structural injustices using multiple perspectives that lead to critical awareness, deep reflection, and self-awareness. Lessons are written to guide participants through timely topics and helps them make connections to their own lives. Part I was offered as a webinar in May. This session is Part II and allows participants an opportunity to experience a Guided Dialogue using the tools provided.
Creative Dissemination: Getting your program's story out there
Dr. Joe Armstrong from University of Minnesota will discuss the process he follows to identify ways to disseminate information to their audience, and the considerations of each dissemination platform. Phillip Lawrence from the PDTA Center describes ways that past programs have used infographics as one way to share their story.
Working with youth experiencing poverty and homelessness
The Youth Experiencing Homelessness and the Youth Experiencing Poverty AEBC (Access, Equity and Belonging Committee) subcommittees highlight the work they have done in all states represented with an emphasis on partner development, the importance of communicating public value, and building a volunteer and resource base.
CYFAR 2021 Event Day 2
Breakout 3 includes presentations for CYFAR grantees on how to use their first year of funding strategically, how to form meaningful partnerships with vulnerable groups, and how to transform their logic model into a structural equation model.
A Year of Planning: How to Use Year 1 Effectively
Coaches and current grantees from South Carolina, Ohio, and North Carolina share how they used their first year of funding to set themselves up for success, focusing on important tasks (partnerships, IRB approval, recruitment planning, evaluation tasks, hiring).
Forming Meaningful Partnerships with Vulnerable Groups
Current grantees discuss how they formed partnerships with sensitive populations, including racial and ethnic minorities, youth in detention centers, and Native tribes. Discuss ways to authentically involve stakeholders, champions, and investors from these groups, important milestones and stages in forming your partnership (Getting started, maintaining, expanding), and how to sustain your partnership for the long-term.
Transforming Logic Models to Structural Equation Models: A Gentle Introduction
This presentation provides an illustrative example of how evaluators can test the relationships among tiers of program outcomes outlined in program logic models. While literature abounds on ‘‘how to” develop logic models for programs, there is little to no guidance on how to use actual program data to verify or test critical assumptions about the nature of programs and the relationships among outcomes outlined in logic models. This presentation addresses this gap by providing a simple example of how evaluators can specify and estimate the logical and sequential relationships depicted in program logic models
Breakout 4 features a presentation by CYFAR PDTA Evaluation Specialists, a novel approach to nutrition programs, and a look at the 4-H Thriving Model with an Equity Lens.
Evaluation Specialists Panel
Evaluation Specialists briefly present common pitfalls and problems in evaluation, then respond to submitted and live questions from participants.
From Seed to Soil: Novel directions in nutrition programs
Dr. Amy Saxe-Custack discusses how Flint Kids Cook kept their nutrition-focused program relevant and accessible to their community during the Flint Water Crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. Susan Chen from VaTech discusses how nutrition programs might invigorate their content with a focus on food waste.
4-H Thriving Model through an Equity Lens
4-H has affirmed that one of the organization's goals should be to help close the opportunity gap for marginalized youth and communities so that they can fully thrive. To make good on this promise, 4-H must critically analyze current programs and design and implement 4-H programs through an equity lens. In this session presenters explored the national 4-H theoretical model—the 4-H Thriving Model—through an equity lens.
Breakout 5 features a responsive discussion with Dr. Williams the USDA-NIFA National Program Leader with responsibility for CYFAR, a presentation by CYFAR grantees who maintained connection with participants during the COVID-19 pandemic, and a panel discussion with CYFAR Coaches.
Coffee and Conversation with Dr. Bonita Williams
In lieu of a traditional Listening Session, the PDTA Center facilitates Dr. Williams responding to SCP feedback (from pre-event survey) on a variety of topics including evaluation, the future of CYFAR, and program successes.
Connection during the pandemic: Maintaining engagement and relationships (now and in the future)
Current grantees share what worked in transitioning CYFAR programming from in-person to online, and how relationships and engagement were a key factor in that. Grantees will also share lessons learned, what didn't work, and will look to the future of CYFAR programming and what participants might need in terms of support when they return to in-person.
CYFAR Coaches Panel
CYFAR Coaches briefly present common pitfalls and problems grantees may have with programming, then respond to submitted and live questions from participants.
CYFAR 2021 Event Day 3
José R. Rosario is a speaker, author and above all, an advocate. As a member of many diverse identity groups, José recognizes that there are common experiences that can bring people together and that taking stock of who we are gives us power. As a mental health professional, José understands that this empowerment and the creation of a space to be vulnerable can lead to individual and group growth, awakening agents for change. Currently, José is a Clinical Psychology Ph.D. student at Clark University where his work focuses on disparities in effective mental health care after violent events that target specific identity groups. In addition, he is the founder of The Phoenix Empowered, where he shares his story to inspire others to acknowledge their identities, share their stories, and empower those who are underrepresented to rise.
Breakout 6 includes a presentation by the capnote speaker to further the discussion about identity and empowerment, a discussion about how out-of-school programs can be the bridge to workforce participation, and a look at how current grantees are using social media to advertise programs, recruit participants, and execute their programs.
Capnote Breakout
Jose Rosario continues the discussion about how the identity and empowerment are intertwined.
Workforce Development: Out of school programs as a bridge to youth workforce preparation
Martha Ross from the Brookings Institution presents on a policy proposal for youth programs to serve as a bridge toward youth workforce preparation, leadership development, and ultimately youth workforce participation.
Extremely Online: Novel ways to use technology for your program
Current grantees share ways they have used social media to advertise their programming, recruit CYF, and execute their programs.
Breakout 7 concludes the CYFAR 2021 virtual event. This breakout includes presentations by a group of youth from Youth Collabortory discussing their perspective on authentic adult - youth relationships, another on designing inclusive programs, and a session on how to aligning youth program to evidence .
Youth Speak on Collaboration
Youth Catalyst Team from Youth Collaboratory present youth perspectives on building authentic relationships with youth, and their insights on recruiting and engaging youth in 2021.
Inclusive Design: Building your program to reach all participants
Dr. Jennifer Taylor-Winney and Dr. Kerri Vanderborn present work from the AEBC Youth with Disabilities Working Group. They discuss proactive vs. reactive approaches to inclusion, as well as the TREE model for inclusive design.
Presentation
Video - no recording of this presentation
Core Components of Youth Programs (youth.gov)
Presentation on the importance of aligning youth programs to evidence.
