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 (Doña Ana County)

Plan Goal

This plan deals with Project Work; Special Interest; School Enrichment; Competition; Clinics; Workshops; Outreach Efforts; Record Books; Camps; County Council; Officer Trainings; Junior/Teen Leaders; Anything related to YOUTH programming.

Situation Statement

In Dona Ana County, 27.6% of the population is made up of youth under the age of 18. Risk factors facing the youth in Dona Ana County include teenage pregnancy, gangs, drug and alcohol abuse, and family violence, among others. Because the 4-H program The New Mexico 4-H Youth Development Program can help facilitate the development of life skills, citizenship and leadership, fostering a sense of belonging and independence, providing opportunities for mastery, and creating a spirit of generosity, the number of youth involved in negative risk-factors such as those listed above can be decreased. 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 skills are introduced, developed and expanded throughout a lifetime.

Target Audience and Actions

Youth ages 5 to 19 in Doña Ana County are targeted to learn life, leadership and citizenship skills through: Project Work, Special Interest Groups, School Enrichment, Competitive Events, Fairs, Clinics, Workshops, Record Books, Camps, Community Service, Public Speaking, Elected/Appointed Offices, etc.

Short-Term Objectives

At least 15% of 4-H youth in Dona Ana County will participate in county, state, or national events/programs that will help them learn valuable lifeskills such as communication, decision-making, self-esteem, etc.

At least 15% of Dona Ana 4-H youth enrolled in home economics projects will enhance their skills in these projects by participating in workshops, clinics and other hands-on experiences.

At least 15% of Dona Ana 4-H youth enrolled in personal growth and development projects will enhance their skills by participating in workshops, clinics and other hands-on experiences.

At least 25% of Dona Ana 4-H youth will increase their citizenship skills by participating in at least one community service project through their club or their county.

Each 4-H year,the County Ambassador team will visit at least three schools and/or youth organizations or groups in the county to educate others of the many positive benefits of the 4-H Youth Development Program.

Medium-Term Objectives

In three years, the number of Dona Ana 4-H youth enrolled in home economics projects will increase by 5%.

In three years, the number of Dona Ana 4-H youth enrolled in personal growth and development projects will increase by 5%.

In three years, the number of youth enrolled in the Dona Ana 4-H Program will increase by 5%.

Long-Term Objectives

In five years, the number of Dona Ana 4-H youth enrolled in personal growth and development projects will have increased by 10%.

In five years, the number of Dona Ana 4-H youth enrolled in home economics projects will have increased by 10%.

In five years, the number of youth enrolled in the Dona Ana 4-H Program will have increased by 10%.

Evaluation Plan

Evaluation tools will be developed and administered in at least 50% of all 4-H youth programs/events to measure knowledge, skill, and attitude gained.

Data will be collected on the number of youth enrolled in 4-H home economics programs in Doña Ana County.

Data will be collected on the number of youth enrolled in 4-H personal growth and development programs in Dona Ana County.

Data will be collected on the total number of youth enrolled in the Dona Ana 4-H Program on a yearly basis.

Data will be collected on the number of youth exposed to 4-H through school enrichment and special interest groups.