1. LEARNING (About Health) BY DOING (Fun Stuff) Elaine Bowen, EdD, Extension Specialist - Health Promotion Zona Hutson, MS, Extension Agent-Doddridge County Alicia Cassels, MSW, Extension Specialist - Curriculum

2. Webinar Learning Objectives 1.Gain knowledge of the origins and evolution of the 4-H Health Initiative 2. Pick up new, “tried and true” ideas on how to make the most of health officers and the resources 3. Recommend ways to improve the initiative for greater dissemination and impact

3. Which of these statements would you say, “THAT’S ME!”? 1.Curious: I’m looking for ways to make the best better with Health Officers in my county 2.Competent: I pretty much know everything there is about 4-H Health Officers 3.Clueless: I’m new and need to know everything to get started in the right direction

4. In the beginning…

5. Targeting Life Skills Model

6. The Goal: To increase knowledge about health and motivate 4-H’ers and families to try new health habits and improve others

7. Strategy: Peer-Led Health Officers lead fun activities with 18,000 youths in clubs, classrooms, camps 1,000 4-H Health Officers are chosen and trained each year

8. Strategy: Curriculum helps youths to apply abstract health concepts 4-H Club Health Activity Guide: Officers lead fun club activities 4-H Club Dental Health Planner: Members track health behaviors

9. Strategy: Families work together on targeted health habits Family handouts have monthly health challenges and fun activities to do together

10. Strategy: Leader Support Local leaders assist officers throughout the year

11. Strategy: Provide all the tools that agents and leaders need

12. Strategy: Stakeholder Input Agent surveys (2006) and post-camp online surveys (2008-2013) Focus groups (2007 in 6 counties) Promotion and training: -Volunteer Leader Weekends -Professional Development Days -Camping Kick-offs -Teen Leader Weekends -Video Challenge (2012, 2013, 2014)

13. Strategy: Parent Feedback

14. More Parent Feedback: Safety Figure 2 – Parent Survey Frequencies Related to Safety Habits (N=178)

15. Strategy: Integrated Health Messages

16. Strategy: Sustainability Club Health Officers Curriculum – rotate annual themes Ongoing feedback and evaluation – parent surveys, agent online surveys Funding – grants, donors

17. Strategy: A System to Support a High-Quality Health Initiative 1. Youth health needs/trends 2. Stakeholder input 3. Curriculum development 4. Funding support 5. Program evaluation

18. What Have We Accomplished in Nine Years? The initiative…  builds youth leadership in 900+ officers yearly  involves 17,000 youths and 5,000 adult volunteers in all counties  integrates key health messages into existing 4-H youth development program  low-cost, high-impact, and sustainable  maximizes resources through state and local partnerships

19. What Does the Future Hold? In your county, what snags do you/your leaders/Health Officers run into? How can we “make the best better” for the existing 4-H Club Health Officers? *recognition *training *technology *leadership

20. What Does the Future Hold? Are there additional youth audiences that may benefit from these leadership and health education experiences? *in-school programs *after-school programs *home-schooled youth *other youth groups

21. What Does the Future Hold? Are the 5 health themes still relevant? *Dental *Physical Activity *Eating Healthy *Safety *Healthy Relationships Or are there other important health-related issues that youths need?

22. What are the “Top 3” Improvements You Would Like to See?

23. Open Discussion What additional questions do you have? What support do you and your leaders need? What will your next steps be in your county, to increase the success of Health Officers?