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Resources are available to support community educational programs for at-risk children, youth, and families and are based on locally identified needs, and soundly grounded in research. The resources also help local projects to integrate programming into ongoing Extension programs for children, youth, and families—ensuring that at-risk, low-income children, youth, and families continue to be part of Extension and 4-H programs and have access to resources and educational opportunities.

Results

Just in Time Equity Dialogues for Youth

Type
Video

A CYFAR webinar and presentation providing original social justice dialogues for youth as an activity with a facilitator. Presenters demonstrate what an appropriate dialogue activity looks like, and the benefits of having dialogues about social justice and equity. This webinar and presentation aids youth to develop communication skills surrounding social justice topics and provides opportunity for youth to become engaged citizens.

Publication year
Authors

Vernelle Mitchell-Hawkins, MS, University of Maryland Extension; Michelle Cox, PhD, University of Illinois Extension; Jessica Russo, MEd, University of Minnesota Extension; Nicole Webster, PhD, Pennsylvania State University; Dorothy Freeman, PhD, National 4-H Council

An Introduction to Forming Partnerships With Native Communities

Type
Video

This resource is a CYFAR webinar that provides an overview of Native American culture and discusses considerations for forming organizational relationships with Native Americans. The purpose of this webinar is to help community organizations build genuine relationships with Native Americans and seek mutually beneficial outcomes. Recognizing biases and understanding the needs of Native Americans are crucial aspects of building authentic relationships. 

Authors

Jeffery Tibbetts, MEd

Measuring Quality in Youth Development Programs

Type
Video

Program quality is not just outcomes but also a point of service quality, or what’s happening within interactions. Components of good program quality can include youth engagement, supportive relationships, critical thinking, and physical and emotional safety. All of these components can serve as intermediate developmental outcomes.

Publication year
Authors

Nicole Yohalem

What Is a Logic Model?

Type
Video

These models are a blueprint for what you’re doing as a program in order to evaluate if a goal was achieved and why. They can include needs, outcomes, results, indicators, activities, and resources, which should be aligned with both short term and long term goals of the program. Logic models also help provide a framework for everyone involved to help focus on results and get the desired outcome.

Publication year
Authors

Lydia Marek, PhD

Human Subjects and Institutional Review Boards (IRB)

Type
Video

This video explains the importance of a community or school review board in order to protect the people involved in research from harm and experimenters from any legal issues. The review board must know what kind of data will be collected, how information will remain confidential, and how consent will be obtained. Consent can be collected passively or actively and is especially important when working with children.

Publication year
Authors

Daniel Perkins, PhD

Experimental Design

Type
Video

This video explains the advantages and disadvantages of a program using experimental design, with the ultimate advantage of knowing that the program is the only cause of the change. Experimental design can only be achieved when the program is ready and has established protocols for program delivery.

Publication year
Authors

Daniel Perkins, PhD

Youth as Evaluators

Type
Video

Engaging Youth in Program Evaluation

Youth should be involved throughout the entire process in a collaborative relationship with adults. They can engage by helping think of research questions, issues, focus groups, and observation. It is key to make sure youth aren’t just saying what they do and don’t like but actually making decisions. Adults can help in this process by building their youth engagement skills through exposure to youth culture.

Publication year
Authors

Kenneth Jones, PhD

Working With Communities

Type
Video

Conducting Respectful Evaluation

When entering into a new setting the best way to get results is to start with respect, and engagement in the evaluation can be a good way to do this. Key people who know the community can be good people to ask who should be part of the evaluation. People that live and have a commitment to the community know the ways something can be done better than a research team, and they want to feel empowered and part of the process to develop a meaningful outcome and understand its impact.

Publication year
Authors

Maureen Mulroy, PhD, and Francisco Villarruel, PhD

Understanding Evidence-Based Programs

Type
Video

What is Evidence-Based Programming?

When a program is evidence-based, it has been through an experimental design, shown to work, and evaluated at a rigorous level. A research-based program means the incorporated content of a program is supported by current research. Model programs are listed on a website called Blueprints shown with the best evidence of effectiveness, but qualifications can vary by website.

Publication year
Authors

Daniel Perkins, PhD

The Importance of Evaluation

Type
Video

Evaluation is key to knowing, especially for participants, that differences are being made in terms of program quality and outcomes. Funders want to make sure they are putting their money to good use in a sustainable program. Evidence of change being made also helps the program tell its story and get its message across.

Publication year
Authors

Lisa Lauxman, PhD

Reporting Evaluation Results

Type
Video

Communicating Evaluation Results to Your Audiences

When reporting results identify the audience and what they need to know in order to make a decision by using bullet points and putting findings within the context of similar findings. Usually a less biased person that is an advocate for the program that the audience will listen to is a better choice than the researcher who conducted the study. Some general rules when conveying results: simple is always better, pictures help clarify, and use multiple perspectives.

Publication year
Authors

Nicole Yohalem and Peter Witt, PhD

Overview of Process and Outcome Evaluation

Type
Video

Formative and Summative Evaluation

Outcomes can occur at different levels; activities, participants, and system wide outcomes. Process evaluation looks at what went on in the program that is helping achieve the outcomes. Outcome evaluation looks at what is expected to change in the participants when going through the program and why.

Publication year
Authors

Nicole Yohalem, Peter Witt, PhD, Mary Marczak, PhD, & Daniel Perkins, PhD

Grant Writing + You

Type
Video

Slides and recording of the Grant Writing + You virtual training event hosted by CYFAR PDTA in September 2020.

Publication year
Authors

Host - Dr. Stephanie Nunn, CYFAR PDTA Center, UMN; Presenters - Dr. Bonita Williams, USDA–NIFA; Dr. Lynne Borden, UMN; Dr. Daniel F. Perkins, Penn State; Dr. Suzanne van den Hoogenhof, UMN; Mr. Phillip Ealy, Penn State; Mr. Mark Otto, UMN

Build Safe Online Learning Environments for Youth

Type
Video

With the explosion of online learning opportunities, it is important for educators to build safe online learning environments for young people. The aim of this webinar is to teach risk management policies and practices that promote online youth safety. Dr. Skuza will share examples from the Minnesota 4-H Youth Development program. Learning Objectives: Promote online safety for youth. Develop a practical skill set that can be used in most online learning environments with youth. Promote adult and organizational capacity to ensure the safety of youth. Dr.

Publication year
Authors

Dr. Jennifer Skuza, University of Minnesota

2018 CYFAR Annual Report

Type
Research Report

The 2018 CYFAR Annual Report provides an overview of the accomplishments of the Children, Youth, and Families At-Risk community-based programs.

Publication year
Authors

USDA–NIFA

Show Me the Money! Exploring Universities’ Fund Development Policies and Practices

Participants will learn:
(a) tactics used by current CYFAR Sustainable Community Projects (SCP) grantees to secure financial and in-kind support;
(b) four strategies for fund development (Share, Ask, Charge, Earn);
(c) ways to engage their university resource, advancement and development offices in securing project funding; and
(d) the importance of and tools for communicating impact to potential funders.

Publication year
Authors

Autumn Guin and Susan Colby, North Carolina State University; Dorothy Brandon and Ronnie Humphrey II, Alabama A&M University; Kimberly Griffin and Anthony Willey, University of Vermont

Using Fun Activities to Increase Youth Awareness and Appreciation of Cultural Differences

Type
Video

• Think critically about the meaning of diversity. • To value their own cultures as well as other people’s cultures and to reflect on the lives and perspectives of people who are different from themselves. • To become more aware of the stereotypes we have all inadvertently picked up. • To respect the differences and similarities in people. • To become more comfortable discussing cultural differences.

Publication year
Authors

Patreese Ingram, EdD

Assessing Health Behaviors to Impact Program Quality, Policies, and Funding

Type
Video

Data is a powerful tool that can be used to guide program improvement, educate stakeholders, inform decision makers, and motivate funders. This webinar accomplished the following: highlighted online sources of children’s health data; shared resources for promoting good nutrition, physical activity, sleep, and limited screen time; explained tools offered by the CYFAR PDTA Center to assess children’s health behaviors and deliver impactful education and outreach; and demonstrated how to use health statistics to influence local policies and make a case for funding.

Publication year
Authors

Laura Palmer and Terri Rudy

2017 CYFAR Annual Report

Type
Research Report

The 2017 CYFAR Annual Report provides an overview of the accomplishments of the Children, Youth, and Families At-Risk community-based programs.

Publication year
Authors

USDA–NIFA

Engaging Youth in Their Communities: How Adults Can Promote Social Responsibility and Civic Action

Type
Video

Participants learned: (a) Why social responsibility (commitment to others and the greater good) and civic action (e.g., volunteering, community connections) are critical aspects of child and adolescent development; (b) Malleable features of youth-adult relationships and program settings that nurture social responsibility values and civic action; and (c) Concrete activities and practices for leveraging youth-adult relationships to deepen youth’s community connections, voice, and social and civic commitment.

Publication year
Authors

Amy Syvertsen, PhD

Volunteer Development and Engagement: Leveraging Volunteers to Grow and Sustain Your Program

Type
Video

This webinar will explore how to balance volunteer management and development to effectively achieve the mission of your organization. The content will include considerations when tailoring your volunteer delivery system, key concepts to help position your organization to empower and fully utilize volunteers, strategies to engage volunteers and aid in sustaining volunteer commitment, and targeting potential partners as a source for skilled volunteers.

Publication year
Authors

Shane Potter

Tying Your Program Data to Resiliency

Type
Video

This webinar explores how program data can be effectively communicated to stakeholders. The content includes:

Publication year
Authors

Ann Michelle Daniels, PhD

Assessing Health Behaviors to Impact Program Quality, Policies, and Funding

Type
Video

Data is a powerful tool that can be used to guide program improvement, educate stakeholders, inform decision makers, and motivate funders. This webinar will highlight online sources of children’s health data; share resources for promoting good nutrition, physical activity, sleep, and limited screen time; explain tools offered by the CYFAR PDTA Center to assess children’s health behaviors and deliver impactful education and outreach; and demonstrate how to use health statistics to influence local policies and make a case for funding.

Publication year
Authors

Laura Palmer and Terri Rudy

2016 CYFAR Annual Report

Type
Research Report

The 2016 CYFAR Annual Report provides an overview of the accomplishments of the Children, Youth, and Families At-Risk community-based programs.

Publication year
Authors

USDA–NIFA

2016 CYFAR Evaluation Report

Type
Research Report

In 2017, the Children, Youth, and Families At-Risk Initiative (CYFAR) celebrated its 25th Anniversary. CYFAR provides funding for local Sustainable Community Projects (SCPs) that promote positive outcomes among vulnerable populations throughout the United States and Territories. CYFAR also funds the CYFAR Professional Development and Technical Assistance (CYFAR PDTA) Center, which provides professional development, technical assistance, and evaluation support for CYFAR SCPs.

Publication year
Authors

CYFAR PDTA Center