Getting Started in Iowa 4-H Afterschool Rollout Conference Newton, Iowa October 22 – 23, 2003

Iowa In-Service Objectives  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? Have “exploded into the nation’s consciousness.” 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.” The hours between 3:00 and 6:00 p.m. are the “prime time for crime or youth enrichment and achievement.” Interest is “unprecedented.” Interest is “unprecedented.” There is an “explosion” of programs. There is an “explosion” of programs. Such programs are the “cornerstone” of the goal to reduce crime. Such programs are the “cornerstone” of the goal to reduce crime.

Rationale: Why After-School Programs? Changing family situations Changing family situations Time of risk or opportunity Time of risk or opportunity Research support for benefits of participation Research support for benefits of participation

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

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 after- school programs.

Some significant negative consequences: Youth are at greater risk of being victims of violent crime. Youth are at greater risk of being victims of violent crime. Juvenile crime triples at 3 p.m. Juvenile crime triples at 3 p.m. Greater risk of substance abuse and sexual activity Greater risk of substance abuse and sexual activity Anti-social behavior Anti-social behavior School dropout School dropout

Low academic performance and poor grades Low academic performance and poor grades Over exposure to television Over exposure to television Truancy Truancy Accidents Accidents

Some significant benefits include: Improved academic performanceImproved academic performance Reduction in youth crime and risky behaviorReduction in youth crime and risky behavior Reduction in sexual activityReduction in sexual activity Reduction in drug useReduction in drug use Increased school success and high school graduationIncreased school success and high school graduation Improved social skillsImproved social skills Improved school attendanceImproved school attendance

Reduction in school dropout Reduction in school dropout Increased homework completion and quality Increased homework completion and quality Improved self-confidence Improved self-confidence Improved interpersonal skills Improved interpersonal skills Increased life 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 Educational Experiences to Promote Learning Caregiving Experiences that: - Nurture - Guide - Protect - Meet Basic Needs Quality Child Care, School-Age Care, and Out-of-School Programs for Older Youth and Teens Care Development Education 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 Reach audiences not otherwise reached Opportunity to take a leadership role in addressing community needs Opportunity to take a leadership role in addressing community needs

Extension’s Niche Remains close to local needs. Remains close to local needs. Creates customized programs. Creates customized programs. Connects with land-grant university research base. 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. Employs high quality faculty and staff with expertise in youth development and a connection to a national network.

Increase the quality and availability of after- school programs Increase the quality and availability of after- school programs Increase numbers of 4-H members and volunteers Increase numbers of 4-H members and volunteers Increase usage of 4-H curricula among youth in after-school programs Increase usage of 4-H curricula among youth in after-school programs Increase skills and knowledge of after-school staff Increase skills and knowledge of after-school staff Increase awareness of 4-H program Increase awareness of 4-H program Increase the skills and knowledge of Extension professionals in after-school programming Increase the skills and knowledge of Extension professionals in after-school programming Objectives

For more information: (click evaluation button) afterschool/index.htm (click national partners)

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 after- school 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