- Author: Mike Hsu
Free downloadable curriculum recognizes diverse family circumstances
Not all young people are on an expressway to a four-year college, and a new publication from University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources acknowledges their many circumstances and possibilities. The “Pathways to Your Future” curriculum invites high school-aged youth – and their families – to map their unique situations and passions before embarking on their own road.
Whereas similar guides might convey advice on a one-way street, this free download outlines a “hands-on” experience – in school settings or out-of-school programs – to help young people steer toward their best post-high-school education, training and career options.
“We wanted to make a youth-centered publication,” said co-author Claudia Diaz Carrasco, UC Cooperative Extension 4-H youth development advisor in Riverside and San Bernardino counties. “A lot of the content out there is based on delivering content to kids – just like information on college and careers; with ‘Pathways to Your Future', it's actually a skill-building curriculum so that youth are doing research and having critical discussions and making comparisons.”
In a pilot program that engaged 228 high schoolers across California (primarily 9th graders recruited from local 4-H programs), many participants said they appreciated that the curriculum presented a variety of pathways, including vocational education, non-degree certificate programs, community college, on-the-job training or entering the workforce – as well as four-year institutions of higher education.
“They have been liking that it doesn't start with ‘pick a college and get there,'” Diaz Carrasco said. “But really it's a self-reflection approach, where they start going back to what they're passionate about and what they think they're good at – and how much money they want to make in the future – and really just having that opportunity to know themselves before jumping into college or a career.”
To help them attain that clear-eyed perspective, the modules in the curriculum also debunk myths about the college experience and incorporate budgeting activities.
“This program gives youth the opportunity to constantly reflect on their learning as they get more data,” said another publication co-author, Lynn Schmitt-McQuitty, UC ANR's statewide 4-H director. “In the beginning, youth may have a very rigid or glamorized view of their future; the ‘Pathways' program grounds things and brings reality into the picture.”
Parents of the pilot-program participants – who predominantly identify as Latino – were also thankful for opportunities to engage in “real talk” with other parents about the wide array of options. Acknowledging the diversity of families across California, “Pathways to Your Future” also includes several sections in Spanish to make essential information more accessible.
“The parents need as much – or more – education on the processes, opportunities and expectations to support post-high school life,” Schmitt-McQuitty explained.
In addition to integrating families into discussions about their future, the curriculum also provides spaces for the high schoolers to participate in panel discussions with their slightly older peers, who recently went through their own decision-making journeys.
“The youth really appreciate seeing someone like themselves talking about what they went through, how they overcame obstacles,” said Diaz Carrasco. “They feel really inspired that there is a pathway for themselves.”
For assistance and support in bringing the “Pathways” curriculum to your community, contact your county's Cooperative Extension office, reach out to the local 4-H program, or email Claudia Diaz Carrasco at cpdiaz@ucanr.edu.
The other authors of the publication are Shannon Horrillo (College of Agriculture, Biotechnology, and Natural Resources, University of Nevada, Reno Extension), Darlene McIntyre and Nathaniel Caeton (UC ANR), and Martin Smith (University of California, Davis).
/h2>- Author: Russell D. Hill
- Author: Fe Moncloa
- Author: Liliana Vega
- Contributor: Roshan Nyak
After attending first ever California 4-H virtual summer camps, 62% of youth participants reported they feel more connected to other youth, which is especially important for health given this time of COVID-19 isolation.
The Issue
Shelter in Place restrictions due to COVID-19 prevented in-person overnight and day camp opportunities for California's youth. A national survey of adolescents indicates, “School closures and sheltering at home in the COVID-19 pandemic isolate children and adolescents from peers, teachers, extended family, and community...fully one-third of adolescents reported high levels of loneliness.” (Loades ME et al., 2020)
How UC Delivered
In response to these restrictions, a team of UC ANR academics and staff united to provide engaging summer activities to provide virtual spaces for youth peer interactions and foster youth-adult partnerships. A partnership among eight UC ANR academics, including one from UC Davis, 31 staff, volunteers and youth representing 20 counties, four Research and Extension Centers, and the California 4-H Youth Development Program Statewide Office, developed, planned, and delivered the first-ever 4-H virtual camps in California: Our Wild California and 4-H Grown at Home.
Planning for these virtual camp opportunities began on April 23, 2020, with a launch date of June 13 for the first camp. During this period, we “learned by doing” and developed two week long day camps offered virtually using the Zoom platform. Each camp included three activity options in the morning and three options in the afternoon. Activity sessions were hosted by 4-H staff, academics, certified 4-H volunteers and teens. 4-H County Ambassador teams were recruited to lead ice breakers and team building activities during morning and afternoon sessions.
Our Wild California virtual camp, held during the week of July 13, 2020, offered 108 youth campers from 18 counties the opportunity to learn about the natural environment. The week long camp is comprised of various activities designed to grow youths' appreciation for nature. 4-H Grown at Home, held during the week of August 3, 2020, offered 105 youth campers from 22 counties the opportunity to explore the natural world from their home.
The Impact
More than 70% (n=69) of youth campers agreed virtual camps provided them opportunities to explore something they really care about, and 62% reported their camp participation helped them feel more connected to other youth. Research shows that lack of social connection can have negative impacts on health. Thus, these outcomes contribute to improved health and the public value of promoting healthy people and communities.
“I think that most everyone communicated really well, and the events ran really smoothly. Everyone was so nice and friendly, and I felt really welcome to participate as a teen volunteer.”- Teen Volunteer
“…there are more friendly people in the world than you think.” – Youth Camper
Source: Loades ME et al. 2020).Rapid systematic review: The impact of social isolation and loneliness on the mental health of children and adolescents in the context of COVID-19. Journal American Academy Child & Adolescent Psychiatry,Jun 3; [e-pub]. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2020.05.009)
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- Author: Christine Davidson
This week we are celebrating National Volunteer Week by highlighting the volunteers and partners who are a vital part to the success of UCCE programs. On February 24, 2020 UCCE San Bernardino hosted an appreciation dinner to recognize the invaluable volunteers and partners.
The celebration started with a welcome by County Directors Janet Hartin and Chris McDonald followed by dinner and finally the recognition. Honorees received a certificate of appreciation from UCCE and Board of Supervisor Chairman Curt Hagman. Seven San Bernardino County departments were recognized for their valuable partnerships needed to implement programs. The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program recognized teachers, school administrators, and parent liaisons who are key in reaching families to provide them with education to live healthier lives. The Master Gardener and Master Food Preserver Programs recognized their indispensable volunteers who are the heartbeat of the program and provide outreach to the community. 4-H recognized leaders who are empowering today's youth to be leaders of tomorrow. To top off the dinner, the Master Gardener Coordinator, Maggie O'Neill, made a delicious cake decorated to represent all programs.
- Author: Steven M. Worker
Through qualitative questionnaires and focus group interviews, we analyzed experiences of 6 new bilingual and bicultural program staff, hired specifically to implement youth development programming to reach Latino youth. Staff reported a steep learning curve, with competing demands to build relationships, engage youth, and show results. Lessons learned may help shape activities that other youth development programs may consider in similar efforts.
"Staff emphasized that getting to know the community and building relationships were the most important parts of starting a new 4-H program. Staff identified several 4-H program models they utilized to engage Latino youth in 4-H; these included after-school clubs, SPIN clubs, in-school clubs, day camps, and short-term/special interest programs."
Sonoma County offers After School Clubs and Day Camps when schools are out. These clubs are in Santa Rosa and Windsor. To learn more about these clubs, contact Diego dmariscal@ucanr.edu
To learn more about this report, contact Steven smworker@ucanr.edu
- Author: Christine Davidson
The National School Lunch Program provides nutritionally balanced free and reduced price lunches to children of low income families in need. The summer time can be difficult for those families as children are not provided a healthy meal when school is out. The summer meal program helps to alleviate the stress of feeding children during the summer break.
Hesperia Unified School District is one of many districts in San Bernardino county that provides meals during the summer. The district Food and Nutrition Services started the summer with an exciting kick off lunch at Topaz Elementary, one of the meal sites. Over 300 children were served a nutritious meal and were provided enrichment activities for the whole family to enjoy.
All four UCCE programs were represented at the kick off providing information and activities for families. EFNEP distributed recipe cards, cutting boards and calendars for parents and signed parents up for the UCCE Connects to You distance learning pilot program. Children were given gardening gloves from the Happy Healthy Me curriculum to start growing vegetables at home. Master Gardeners had a small space herb garden and vermicomposting demonstration as well as promoted the MG hotline and volunteer program. 4-H brought a live rabbit for children to pet, the living desert sensory station and the signs of animals present in the forest. Master Food Preservers promoted their public classes and had a tropical freezer jam tasting, it was a hit!