Advising Local 4-H Programs
Planning for Thriving
Professional development course for CCE Association leadership teams
Cooperative Extension programs are called to understand local needs and participants through stakeholder engagement to develop educational programs.   This course and experience helps us understand the community we serve, the possibilities of what we can create together, and meets the needs assessment requirements for an Association 4-H Youth Development program– whether it be through guiding a formal advisory committee or informal advisory process. It’s an opportunity for collaborative leadership development for your Association staff and advisory committees. The course provides opportunities for us to work together to create opportunities for all youth to realize their strengths, be valued partners, and thrive.
This course is an in-depth program advisory experience for Executive Directors, 4-H professionals, and volunteers who are involved in program planning, evaluation, and advisement.  Participants will strengthen skills related to building:
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program assessment
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diversity, equity & inclusiveness
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evaluation
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stakeholder engagement
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program advisement
At the completion of this course participants will be able to:
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Explain to others the purpose, vision, and research base of the 4-H Thriving Model
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Find and assess current demographic reach data
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Find and assess current evaluation data
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List and connect to other local stakeholders serving youth and families
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Mentor (work and volunteer) colleagues in the program design and assessment process.
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In the end, your Association leadership team will develop a collaborative assessment and suggestions for moving forward to help local youth and families to thrive with the help of the 4-H Youth Development program and will share the suggestions publicly for feedback and consideration.
2024 Course Schedule
Facilitation Team
Suggested Team
At least one 4-H program lead and we suggest at least one person from your CCE advisory committee or board. If the Executive Director and more leaders of your 4-H program can join, that is even better.
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Facilitation Team module activities
Each module includes Facilitation Team learning activities with local applications.
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Pre-work in Moodle (self-guided learning)
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Live Zoom to introduce module concepts and tools
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Facilitate program assessment and design activities with your Local Team
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Office Hours – optional coaching opportunity for facilitations teams
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Schedule
Virtual welcome for everyone
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Thursday, January 4 6 – 7:30 PM: Welcome and overview of the project
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Facilitation team virtual meetings
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Monday, January 22 1 to 2:30 PM: Exploring Youth Thriving
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Monday, February 12 1 to 2:30 PM: Snapshot of Today
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Monday, March 11 1 to 2:30 PM: Opportunity for All
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Monday, April 8 1 to 2:30 PM: A Vision of Tomorrow
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Monday, May 13 1 to 2:30 PM: Charting Your Course
Local Teams
Suggested Team: Consider who is involved with and impacted by your 4-H program. You may want to include local 4-H professionals, volunteers, community collaborators, youth, and families. You may also want to invite community leaders of all ages who champion youth development but haven't yet been involved with 4-H.
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Local Team activities:
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Self-reflection and local team development activities
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Program assessment and design activities
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Schedule
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Meeting times and logistics determined by Facilitation Team with Local Team
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