UF/IFAS G5F1 - Plan of Action

Focus Team G5F1 Plan of Action – 2008 — 2012
Statewide Situation Statement: a. Key Issues: Diverse family structures and underserved groups, such as teenage parents, single parents, dual earner families, stepfamilies, grandparents raising grandchildren, families of military service personnel, aging adults, and caregiving families are increasing in Florida, along with problems such as poverty, social isolation, parental substance abuse and addiction, stress, child abuse, obesity, and domestic violence. Devoting more resources to prevention education could minimize many of these challenges. b. Where we can likely make a difference: Providing programming to families in the areas of personal and family well-being not only strengthens family functioning, but it improves outcomes for Florida citizens. Although there are other agencies that may provide similar types of programs, in order to have significant impact, it is critical that this programming respond to local community needs, be based on research, be provided by trained family specialists, and be widely available to state residents at low or no cost. Only cooperative extension is able to fulfill all of these critical needs. Furthermore, in many rural counties cooperative extension may be the only available provider of these programs. c. Potential partners Potential partners include state and local departments on elder affairs, children and families, and housing; faith-based organizations; and related/appropriate community organizations. d. Target audience Target audiences include childcare, after-school, and elder care providers; individual and family service personnel; parents, couples, and individuals; minority and underserved audiences; UF/IFAS county and state faculty.	Statewide Educational Objective(s): Child/Youth Development: Improve parents’ and caregivers’ knowledge of child and youth development and effective parenting/ caregiving practices. -Constructive discipline -Positive reinforcement -Knowledge of parenting strategies -Access to parenting resources Family Success: Strengthen couple, family, and intergenerational relationships. -Communication skills -Relationship skills Healthy Lifestyles: Improve personal, emotional, and social health and well-being, including work/family balance, making healthy choices, and childhood obesity prevention . -Ability to manage stress -Ability to balance work and family -Readiness to change for nutrition and physical activity Aging/Elders: Improve the well-being of older adults in the context of providing education to their families and communities. -Improve caregiving for elderly -Improve financial literacy	Key educational methods to be used across the state: -Classroom enrichment -Curriculum development -Group teaching events -In-service training -Electronic media, such as Solutions for Your Life and county websites, podcasts -Print media, such as newspaper articles, EDIS publications, and Family Album Radio scripts.		Results: -Changes in knowledge using pre/post tests and/or follow-up tests, on measures of: •parents’ and caregivers’ knowledge of child and youth development; •relationship skills •stress management, time management, and other issues of personal, emotional and social well-being •older adult well-being -Skills demonstrated during class activities (observation) -Intent to change behavior measured immediately after class or program (post-test survey) -Changes in lifestyle behaviors measured at follow-up (self-report surveys): •parent/caregiver involvement with children and youth •relationship interaction •lifestyle management strategies implemented •strategies to improve the well-being of older adults implemented
		Needs List	Timeline	Needs List	Timeline
		In-service training on: -balancing work and family -childcare -Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Publications on special needs populations Assistance with script production for Family Album Radio Revision of Before You Tie the Knot/marriage prep curriculum Development of parenting action team Development of modules for childcare provider training Development of materials for service personnel and their families	2010-12 (for all)	OPS graphic artist Marketing assistance for programs Evaluation techniques Additional county faculty member Additional state faculty member for aging Travel funds	2010-2012 (for all)