1. The Opportunity to Support & Enhance Through Research, Evaluation, & Professional Development Megan Owens April 6, 2016

2. Discussion Outline ExperienceResearchEvaluation Professional Development

3. Personal Experience  14 years of youth development experience  Out of school time programs: Before/Afterschool, camps, enrichment, cultural arts, sport events, early childhood Staff & program development Evaluation of staff & programs  Continuously engaged in collaborative relationships

4. Appeal of Position  Broadly impact youth development  Opportunity to collaborate with educators  UME and State of Maryland are dynamic settings Impacting urban, suburban, and rural populations Addressing & meeting diverse needs  UME 4-H comprehensive programming

5. UME Research for Positive Youth Development

6. Research  Vision: Source of information & examining impact of 4-H on developmental outcomes

7.  Personal research agenda fits well with the 4-H Life Skills model  Social-emotional learning during out-of- school time programs Relationship skills Social Awareness Self-Management Self-Awareness Responsible Decision-Making Research

8. Research Agenda  Youth Social-Emotional Learning  4-H programs & camps  Youth-adult partnership as a facilitator Club programs  Activity engagement Leadership roles Actual program context

9. Research Dissemination  Peer Reviewed Journals Journal of Extension Journal of Youth Development Journal of Youth & Adolescence  Conferences NAE4-H Conference National ACA Conference  Educator Resources 4-H Blogs & Articles Meetings  Networking

10. UME 4-H Evaluation for Program Enhancement

11. Evaluation  Conducting thoughtful evaluation  What Subject, Outcome  Why Purpose, Benefit  Who User of information Source of information

12. UME 4-H Evaluation  Prioritizing need and developing a plan Explore & assess current evaluation practices Identify evaluative needs  Connecting to program logic models Either National 4-H or UME designed

13. UME 4-H Educator Professional Development & Growth

14. Professional Development

15.  Provide training that is useful & interesting Educator needs & recommendations Bring information on trends, issues, or topics  Understand current practices & develop plan for implementation Form: in-person group, web-based Location: statewide, regional, county-level Frequency: annual, quarterly, as needed Who: educators, volunteers

16. Impacting Positive Youth Development  Comprehensive approach  Building a culture Promoting youth’s abilities Encouraging youth’s interests Recognizing their challenges Helping them develop strategies for success  Recognize & incorporate the similarities & differences of programming

18. Megan Owens April 6, 2016 Questions?