Note: This site is for reviewing legacy plan of work data from 2007-2011. If you are looking for the current plan of work interface, visit pow.nmsu.edu.

Youth Development (Lea County)

Plan Goal

This plan deals with Project Work; Special Interest; School Enrichment: Competition, Clinics; Workshops; Record Books; Lea County 4-H Council: Officer Trainings: Senior Leadership Membership; and all related to youth in Lea County.

Situation Statement

Youth development understands the importance of four basic needs of 1) belonging, 2) generosity, 3) independence, and 4) mastery. Studies indicate that youth whose needs are met in positive ways are likely to develop into active citizens and contributing members to their families and to their communities. The New Mexico 4-H Youth Development Program and teh Lea County 4-H Program strive for every youth involved will have the opportunity to participate in a 4-H experience that will strengthen a young person's sense of human needs. Lea County 4-H programs are committed to delivering curriculum and related learning experiences for youth in club, school enrichment, and special interest. Through projects and activities in 4-H, youth have many opportunities to develop life and leadership skills that include responsibility, self-confidence, self-esteem, communication skills, teamwork and decision making. These skill are introduced, developed and expanded throughout a lifetime.

Target Audience and Actions

Youth ages 5 to 19 in Lea County are targeted to learn life, leadership, and citizenship skills through: Project work, Special Interest, School Enrichment, Competitive Events, Fairs, Clinics, Workshops, Record Books, Community Service, Public Speaking, and serving in Elected/Appointed Offices. The Lea Coiunty 4-H Extension Agents will serve youth audience in the county situations.

Short-Term Objectives

1. During the 4-H program year, 40% of youth involved in 4-H programming will learn subject matter concepts through hands-on experiences such as clinics, project meetings, workshops, etc. 2) During the 4-H program year 40% of youth inlved in 4-H programming will develop life skills through project work, competitive events, real-life situations and career exploration opportunities. 3) During the 4-H program year, 30% of youth enrolled in 4-H will gain public speaking skills, strenghtening communication and organization abilities and self-concept, through speaking at club, school enrichment, and special interest events. 4) During the 4-H program year, 50% of youth in club, school enrichment, special interest and county events will develop cognitive skills, teamwork, leadership and citizenship potential. 5) During the 4-H program year, 40% of youth in the 4-H club program will gain leadership and teamwork skills through leadership opportunities at the club, county and state levels and demonstrate effective leadership and teamwork skills to local and community members, organizations and projects, and provide primary leadership to statewide events. 6) During the 4-H program year, 20% of youth in the 4-H club program will begin establishing partnerships with local administrators and community leaders, effectivelymanaging programs and facilitating change through youth/adult partnerships.

Medium-Term Objectives

1) 50% of youth with 2-3 years of experience in 4-H programming will learn subject matter concepts through hands-on ecperiences such as camps, clinics, workshops, etc. 2) 50% of youth with 2-3 years of experience in 4-H programming will develop life skills through project work, competitive events, real-life situations and career exploration opportunities. 3) 40% of youth with 2-3 years experience in 4-H will gain public speaking skills, strengthening communication and organization abilities and self-concept, through spaking at club, school enrichment and special interest events. 4) 50% of youth with 2-3 years of experience in 4-H club program, school enrichment, special interest and county 4-H events will develop cognitive skills, teamwork, leadership and citizenship potential. 5) 50% of youth with 2-3 years of experience in the 4-H club program will gain leadership and demonstrate effective leadership and teamwork skills to local community members, organizations and projects, and provide primary leadership to statewide evnets. 6) 50% of youth with 2-3 years of experience in the 4-H club program will establish partnerships with local administrators and community leaders, effectively managing programs and facilitating change through youth/adult partnerships.

Long-Term Objectives

1) 50% of youth with at least 4 years of experience in 4-H programming will learn subject matter concepts through hands-on ecperiences such as camps, clinics, workshops, etc. 2) 50% of youth with at least 4 years of experience in 4-H programming will develop life skills through project work, competitive events, real-life situations and career exploration opportunities. 3) 50% of youth with at least 4 years experience in 4-H will gain public speaking skills, strengthening communication and organization abilities and self-concept, through spaking at club, school enrichment and special interest events. 4) 50% of youth with at least 4 years of experience in 4-H club program, school enrichment, special interest and county 4-H events will develop cognitive skills, teamwork, leadership and citizenship potential. 5) 50% of youth with at least 4 years of experience in the 4-H club program will gain leadership and demonstrate effective leadership and teamwork skills to local community members, organizations and projects, and provide primary leadership to statewide evnets. 6) 50% of youth with at least 4 years of experience in the 4-H club program will establish partnerships with local administrators and community leaders, effectively managing programs and facilitating change through youth/adult partnerships.

Evaluation Plan

Event/Workshop Evaluations: Evaluations will be conducted through sruveys conducted for at least 50% of workshops and 60% of major events in Lea County. Surveys are designed to measure effectiveness of program, life and leadership skills learned and self-concept of youth participants. Appropriate Curriculum Evaluation Instruments: Various Curriculum will contain evaluation instruments specifically designed for that curriculum. Evaulations will be conducted at 50
5 of all workshops or major events utilizing curriculum. Qualitative data collected through 4-H Record Books: REview of County REcord Books submitted by 4-H youth will providetools forEvaluating the long term effects of programming on life skills, public speaking, leadership and citizenship, as well as future and career plans of 4-H members. Life Skills Evaluation System: designed to measure life skills related to decision making, wise use of resources, communication, accepting differences, leadership, useful/marketable skills, healthy life style schoices and self-responsibility, this tool allows staff to tailor surveys to the appropriate topic and receive feedbackon life skills learned through in-depth jprogramming for members in 6th grade and above with at least six hours of contact time.