USDA-Other Grant, UVM Extension. Becoming successful students and productive citizens. The school dropout rate is alarming. Middle-school students will connect to their school and community by completing a community-service project relating to the environment. With the assistance of school and town officials, teachers, and parent volunteers, the students became a team that planned and will carry out the development of a trail system on town property including the design and building of nine water bars. The results of this three-year project will be used to decrease the school drop-out rate and to develop productive youth citizens. (P. Ainsworth, D. Fajans)
UVM Extension. 4-H Camping Program. A short-term, camping experience in a safe environment, away from home, can contribute to a youngster's growth. 4-H camps provide an extensive variety of program offerings to help youngsters develop life skills and gain confidence while learning in new environments. They give young people an opportunity to learn and practice leadership skills as camp counselors. The 2004 Vermont 4-H camping season served 1,877 young people between the ages of 5 and 16 and provided employment for 96 staff, including 31 youths, ages 16 to 18. $81,290 in scholarships supported youths at Vermont's 4-H camps. (M. Baege)
UVM Extension. Coping with Separation and Divorce: A Parenting Seminar. Parting parents' conflict can harm children. VT Family Court mandates parents to focus on children's needs. Extension helps parents learn skills for family restructuring. Extension-trained pairs (9M/8F)facilitated 99 seminars serving all VT counties. Exit responses of 2,158 parents completing 4 hours,show 83% agree the class will help them; 87% intend to use something learned; 59% do not resent (20% no response; 19% resent) the mandate to attend; 34% would attend class without mandate. Since 1993, over 26,000 parents completed the class to help their children cope with family change. (J. Branch, L. Shelton)
USDA-Special Grant, ES-USDA. Farm Safety. Agriculture is one of the nation's most hazardous occupations. Through seminars, demonstrations, exhibits, and mini-courses, the UVM Extension Farm Safety Program teaches and encourages agricultural clientele of all ages to adopt safe management and production practices. Participants gain a greater awareness of the importance of safety in the rural, farm, and forest workplace. Adopting safer practices will lead to a reduction in the number and severity of agricultural injuries and illnesses, enhancing the overall viability of the agricultural enterprise. (G. Cook)
UVM Extension, Vermont State 4-H Foundation, County 4-H Foundations. 4-H Teen Congress. Participation in constructive programs can help engage youth in community activities and take on responsibilities. This project helps youths learn and practice leadership, social, and workforce preparation skills as well as participating in healthy lifestyle activities. In addition, the youths meet other youths from across the state, engaging in new friendships and relationships in a safe environment. A total of 105 teens and 18 adults attended the annual Vermont 4-H Teen Congress in July on the UVM campus. 15 teens served on the planning committee for the three-day event. Youngsters will use the information and experience gained when making everyday and career decisions. (S. Kleinman)
UVM Extension. Day at the Capitol. Vermont young people seek a greater understanding of the legislative process at the state level. This program provides an opportunity for youths and their adult mentors to experience the Vermont Legislature in session and see, firsthand, how it operates. This year 25 youths and 15 adults participated. They gained a better understanding of the legislative process and its relationship to the success of a democracy. As a result, youths will become more involved with the democratic process in 4-H, their communities, and their schools. (S. Kleinman)
UVM Extension. 4-H Club Program. Youths in Vermont need a number of opportunities to experience success, accept responsibility, and share their success with other youths and adults. 4-H clubs provide adult volunteers and youths with an opportunity to share interest in a wide range of knowledge areas that enhance the life skills of the youths involved. 10,400 youths, ages 7-19, participated in 4-H programming; 2,900 participated in the camping program; 4,300 learned in the school-enrichment programs such as embryology; and 2,400 were involved in the traditional club programs. 559 adult volunteers gave their time and skills. Friendships are formed, mentors gained, knowledge in subject matter and life skills increased. (S. Kleinman, 4-H educators, 4-H youth development faculty)
Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Community Service, Job Opportunities for Low Income Individuals Grants. The Childcare Business Initiative. Vermont communities need quality jobs and more qality childcare. This project evaluates the Childcare Business Initiative, a statewide project through the Vermont Community Action Agencies, which provides training to low-income Vermonters to start a childcare business. The evaluation report was used to make program improvements and ensure funding for the grant. This evaluation documents how this project enhances community economic development and makes recommendation to improve the quality of childcare training in Vermont. (J. Kolodinsky, M. Cranwell)
Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Community Service, Job Opportunities for Low Income Individuals Grants. The Lead Paint Safety Project: LeadSafe. Low-income, rural Vermonters need employment and Vermont needs Certified lead abatement workers. This project evaluates the LeadSafe project through Central Vermont Community Action. This provides training to low-income Vermonters for lead paint safety and abatement. The evaluation report was used to make program improvements and ensure continued funding. This evaluation documents how this project enhances commnnity economic development and makes recommendations to improve lead paint safety training in Vermont. (J. Kolodinsky, M. Cranwell)
Northwest State Correctional Facility. Developing computer and entomological skills. Incarcerated persons need motivation and job skills to enhance their ability to return to a stable, productive existence. This project serves both to train these persons and generate data for entomological research purposes. Several individuals received advanced training in computer skills and entomological techniques. In two greenhouses, plants for research, vegetable production on-site, and community use will was started in early February '04. Inmates will be trained in all aspects of production. Participants provide valuable assistance with local and regional research. They will be more able to be integrated into the community. (B. Parker, D. Tobi, M. Skinner)
Vermont Department of Education. Migrant Education Recruitment Program. Children of migrant employees in agriculture and logging can fall behind in school because of frequent relocation. This program identifies children in migrant families and introduces them to appropriate services in the school and community. 158 children were identified eligible to receive educational services. There are a total of 391 migrant youngsters in Vermont. Age-appropriate books in English and Spanish were distributed to the youngsters and familes were oriented to the supplemental services available to them. Schools and families are provided information on services available to help children of migrant farmworkers succeed academically. (M. Peabody, M. Tarryk)
Vermont Division of Aging and Disabilities, Department of Vocational Rehabilitation. Rural and Agriculture VocRehab Program (RAVRP). Vermont farm and rural residents face dangerous work environments. Accidents result in disabling conditions that prevent them from working and contributing to the economy. RAVRP assists disabled clientele, providing training, placement, equipment and site modifications, financial planning, and job placement consistent with abilities and interests. The program works with 150 participants with disabilities. In FY04 70 individuals were successfully placed in jobs. They now contribute to Vermont's economic welfare and development through gainful employment and by paying taxes. (G. Rogers, B. Chornyak, K. Mason, S. Powers, P. Wolf, A. Hearne, S. Brouillette, M. Gilman, P. Allen, S. Bushey)
USDA-Cooperative Agreement,. Expand Caring Communities. An increasing proportion of American children are at substantially higher risk for negative outcomes due to family, community, social, political, and economic conditions which they have not created. The purpose of the project is to help youth in Brandon, Johnson Village and Newport City acquire adequate attitudes, behaviors and skills. Results are that we reached 1087 youth assisted by 35 parents and other volunteers contributing 4403 hours of volunteer time; 651 youth indicated at least one behavioral change related to Life Skills programming; and $53,028 in-kind (volunteer hours) match was provided by community organizations, agencies, and service groups. Of the 1087 youth reached, 908 were reached for at least 50 contact hours with a caring adult. 29 community organizations, agencies, service groups and/or government officials are working in collaboration with the site projects. . (E. Rowe, K.Zaletta, J.Branch, D.Mincher, W.McMaster, J.Snedeker)
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