Connecting the Dots; Program Sustainability, Relationships and Building

Capacity with At-Risk Youth Leaders

Linda Marshall, 4-H and WNEP Educator, Rock CountyJoan Wimme, 4-H Community Youth Development Educator,

Douglas CountyCristina Parente, WNEP Coordinator, Walworth County

Program objectives

Introduce results of the Wal-Mart Healthy Living Grant

Explore innovative ways to expand programming and develop and support youth leadership

Find ways to incorporate the healthy living message in our programs

Connections

Youth leadership

Sustainability

Innovation

Collaboration and partnerships

Healthy living

Fun

Diverse and underserved audiences

Wal-Mart Healthy Living Grant

$50,000 Wal-Mart Healthy Living Youth Grant state level 4-H programs

Focused on developing and/or enhancing programs focused on healthy living at the community level.

Three healthy living priorities—nutrition, physical fitness, and safety;

Wal-Mart Healthy Living

Facilitated though existing forums such as State 4-H Ambassadors, Statewide Teen Conferences, 4-H Health Ambassadors, Teen Councils, and Teen Summits.

Used to develop or expand state evidence-based programs/educational content.

Promoted through all delivery modes with a special emphasis on clubs and camps.

Wal-Mart Healthy Living Grant

Actions plans mobilized youth and adult teams in local communities to create sustainable programs.

Participating Counties

Douglas

Fond du Lac

Iron

LaCrosse

Lincoln

Menominee

Pierce

Rock

Walworth

Overall impacts

Over 1300 youth were reached- the majority in an afterschool setting

89.4% youth learned about the importance of exercise and learned different exercises

87.1% learned about numbers of calories they needed in a day

¾ of those tried to match caloric intake to daily needs

Overall Impacts

95.9% of teen leaders learned about the importance of a healthful diet

85.4% made more healthful food choices 79.2 % increased amount of fruits and

vegetables 75% increased time exercising 79% took action by teaching others about

healthy living

The Big Picture

We can make a big impact on youth by encouraging and promoting a healthy living message in our programming.

Douglas County

4-H Healthy Living Project Family Night at Northern Lights Elementary SchoolMarch 10, 2010 “Eat Smart, Get Fit!”

Families enjoy a nutritious supper during Family Night that included low-fat sub sandwiches, pretzels, fruit and milk.

Douglas County

A Teens as Teacher shares his nutrition poster at Family Night.

The Nutrition educator assists by asking questions and prompting

Douglas County

Teens as Teachers leading the warm-up activities! All Teen Teachers received a Healthy Living “Eat Smart, Get Fit” leader t-shirt to help others recognize them as leaders and teachers.

Douglas County

Warm-up activities for youth and adults before they move to various fitness stations. The parent’s participation set the tone for the entire night. They were just great!

Douglas County

Teens as Teachers teaching youth and adult participants how to get a work out with the “nutrition spots” (disks on floor) station!

Walworth County

•Four teens from the Alternative High School hired on as Extension employees.

•Taught nutrition at 3 limited-income school sites

•Taught WNEP- adapted lessons on healthy eating and physical activity

•Reached over 60 students and made over 600 educational contacts

Walworth County

Kayla asks students to name as many yellow fruits and vegetables.

Walworth County

India and Taylor help students prepare a whole grain tortilla veggie roll up

Walworth County

After a lesson on fruit, Ashley hands out different kinds of apples for the students to try.

Rock County

Alternative High School Youth/4-H Jr. Leaders trained to teach physical activity/safety, nutrition and hands- on projects at areas schools     

Rock County

Four After School 4-H sites

Roy Andrews Chapman Academy, Alternative High School

UWEX Nutrition Education Program171 youth served, 9 teen leaders

Rock County

Iron County

Engage Middle

School Youth in

outdoor physical

activities including

biking & hiking tours,

canoe trips, winter

outdoor activities

Iron County

110 youth

served 23 teen

leaders

Iron County

The Big Question

How can we incorporate a healthy living message and use youth as teachers in our regular programming?

World Café

As you answer the questions, please think of the challenges and advantages implied in each area.