CYFAR 2008 Research Posters
Aligning the Preaching and Practice of Program Evaluation
Juanita Johnson, Johnny Morgan, Berteal Rogers and Satish Verma, Louisiana State University, LSU Ag Center
How a program will be evaluated is not usually planned upfront. Getting good evidence to document performance, therefore, is difficult. The recent emphasis in CYFAR programming to include credible evaluations using program logic models is significant. The logic model of the Reading to the Heart (RTTH) Youth Literacy Program in Louisiana, including evaluation planning and benchmark reading behaviors, will be presented.
Fostering Resilience Among Early Adolescents Exposed to Community Violence: Teachers' Challenges, Strategies, and Support Needs
Elisabeth Fost Maring, Sally A. Koblinsky and Suzanne Randolph, University of Maryland, College Park
Despite the potential for teachers to have a major influence on early adolescentsí development in urban communities affected by violence, there is currently a dearth of research exploring how exposure to violence influences teachersí ability to effectively guide students. The current qualitative study addresses a major gap in the literature by exploring three key issues: the challenges, strategies, and support needs of teachers who work to foster resilience in the youth they serve. Findings revealed challenges, strategies, and recommended support needs in the areas of guidance to students and families, structure of school and community support, and teacher mental health.
Engaged Youth: Outcomes of Long-Term Participation in an Urban 4-H Youth Development Program
Theresa M. Ferrari, Nate Arnett and Kristi S. Lekies, Ohio State University Extension
This poster will highlight a study exploring the outcomes of long-term participation in an urban after-school 4-H youth development program. The youthís responses fit the essential elements framework of belonging, mastery, independence, and generosity. More than just showing up, through their involvement these youth had become engaged participants. People, place, and program were all factors that influenced these developmental outcomes.
Impact Evaluation of Interpersonal Problem-solving Skills Program for Preschool and Early Elementary Classrooms
Debbie Richardson and Jennifer Jones, Oklahoma State University
Oklahoma Cooperative Extension educators coached teachers to utilize the "I Can Problem Solve" program (Shure, 2000) with classrooms of preschool and early elementary school children. Program impact and fidelity was evaluated through child interviews, teacher ratings of children’s behavior, and teacher and extension educator assessments. The conceptual framework, methodology, and data from the first year of implementation will be presented.
Necessary Steps Toward Excellence: Creating an Evaluation of an On-line, Multi-state eXtension Parent Education Program
Susan K. Walker, University of Minnesota; Sally Martin, University of Nevada-Reno; Andrew Behnke, University of North Carolina; Aaron Ebata, University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign; Lenna Ontai, University of California-Davis
Just in Time Parenting (JITP) has adapted a traditional method of information delivery through offering parents online access to information. Ensuring that the method is stays true to our learnersí needs, and understanding the effectiveness of our project are key to this multi-State initiative. This poster reviews the collaborative, comprehensive, and learner-focused process of creating evaluation tools and methods.
Action Research Challenges: Extension's Intermediary Role in Community Health Promotion
Elaine Johannes and Carol Fink, Kansas State University
This session features the challenges of conducting health-related, action research in real world communities. Those challenges, however, are invaluable when positive community changes occur due to the unexpected intermediary role of local
Extension professionals. Data from three NCP-funded, community-based programs intended to implement and sustain youth-driven physical activity initiatives reveal that community readiness, mission-drift and content/context fit influence results.
