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 (Valencia County)

Plan Goal

This plan deals with youth programming which include Project Work, Special Interest, School Enrichment, Competition, Clinics, Workshops, Outreach Efforts, Record Books, and Camps.

Situation Statement

Youth development research emphasizes the importance of meeting the four basic human needs of belonging, generosity, independence and mastery. Studies indicate that youth whose needs are met in positive ways are likely to develop into active citizens and contributing members of their families and communities. The New Mexico 4-H Youth Development Program strives to ensure that every youth involved will have the opportunity to participate in 4-H experiences that strengthen a young person’s sense of belonging, generosity, independence and mastery.

Over 22% of New Mexico’s population is age 15-19 (NM Kids Count Data Book 2005). Current 4-H Programming reaches 20% of youth under 18 in New Mexico. The total population of Valencia County in 2006 was estimated to be70,389 (U.S. Census Bureau’s 2006 estimates). Children between the ages of 5 and 18 years old account for 26.6% of the total population, or 18,723 persons. The 2006-2007 Annual Extension Youth Enrollment Report for Valencia County reported that 335 youth were enrolled as members of organized 4-H community clubs with an additional 1,176 youth participating in youth programs.

The Valencia County Cooperative Extension Office and 4-H staff provides current, research-based educational tools and related learning experiences for youth in clubs, school enrichment programs, and special interest groups. Work in this area includes 4-H and other youth programs and activities that promote positive youth development. These educational activities 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. 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

Audience:
Youth ages 5 to 19 are targeted to learn life, leadership and citizenship skills in the Valencia County 4-H program.

Actions:
Life, leadership and citizenship skills are developed through: club work, project work, special interest groups, school enrichment, competitive events, fairs, clinics, workshops, record books, camps, community service, public speaking, and elected or appointed offices at the county, state and national levels.

Short-Term Objectives

1. During the 4-H program year, 98% of youth involved in 4-H programming will learn subject matter concepts through hands-on experiences.
2. During the 4-H program year, 98% of youth involved 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, 75% of youth enrolled in 4-H will gain public speaking skills, strengthening communication and organization abilities and self-concept, through speaking at club, school enrichment and special interest events.
4. During the 4-H program year, 75% of youth in club, school enrichment, special interest and county 4-H events will develop cognitive skills, teamwork, leadership and citizenship potential.
5. During the 4-H program year, 65% 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 community members, organizations and projects, and provide primary leadership to countywide events.
6. By October 31 of the current 4-H program year, Record Book completion will increase by 15 youth.

Medium-Term Objectives

7. 98% of youth with 2-3 years of experience in 4-H programming will learn subject matter concepts through hands-on experiences such as camps, clinics, workshops, etc.
8. 98% 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.
9. 90% of youth with 2-3 years of experience in 4-H will gain public speaking skills, strengthening communication and organization abilities and self-concept, through speaking at club, school enrichment and special interest events.
10. 75% of youth with 2-3 years of experience in 4-H club, school enrichment, special interest and county 4-H events will develop cognitive skills, teamwork, leadership and citizenship potential.
11. 85% of Agents and staff with 2-3 years of experience will increase professional and personal skills related to life skills and youth development by receiving quality training through theory, contest training, subject matter training, policy training and evaluation training.

Long-Term Objectives

12. 98% of youth with at least 4 years of experience in 4-H programming will learn subject matter concepts through hands-on experiences such as camps, clinics, workshops, etc.
13. 98% 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.
14. 100% of youth with at least 4 years of experience in 4-H will gain public speaking skills, strengthening communication and organization abilities and self-concept, through speaking at club, school enrichment and special interest events.
15. 75% of youth with at least 4 years of experience in 4-H club, school enrichment, special interest and county 4-H events will develop cognitive skills, teamwork, leadership and citizenship potential.
16. 65% of youth with at least 4 years of experience 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 community members, organizations and projects, and provide primary leadership to statewide events.

Evaluation Plan

1. Event and workshop evaluations will be conducted through surveys of at least 50% of workshops and 75% of major events. These surveys will be used to measure effectiveness of program, life & leadership skills learned and self-concept of youth participants.
2. Various Curriculum Kits contain evaluation instruments specifically designed for that curriculum. Evaluations will be conducted at 25% of all workshops or major events utilizing curriculum kits.
3. Qualitative data collected through 4-H Record Books submitted by 4-H youth in Valencia County. These books will provide tools for evaluating 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.
4. Annual 4-H Enrollment Reports will be evaluated on a yearly basis to measure increases in enrollment and involvement for current youth programming.
5. The Valencia County 4-H advisory committee will assist in the evaluation of the overall 4-H program each year at the advisory committee meetings.