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The mission of the 4-H Youth Development Program
is to help youth become responsible, self-directed, and productive individuals. This is
done through the use of research-based, learn-by-doing educational programs. Under the
direction of Isela Valdez, 4-H Youth Development Advisor, and Liz Dawley, 4-H Youth
Development Program Representative, the following are the various delivery methods used to
carry out this mission:
4-H Club Program
Liz Dawley conducts the CE 4-H youth programs in Colusa County. Liz has
been with Colusa CE office since 1993. Prior to this appointment she was a high school
Home Economics teacher for over nine years. Liz graduated from St. Mary College with a
Bachelors Degree in History, and a minor in Home Economics. Liz’ title is Program
Representative, rather than Advisor, like the other Colusa-based University staff. This is
a non-academic paraprofessional position that does not have applied research or technology
transfer responsibilities. The major focus is to work with volunteer leaders, provide
support for the county 4-H clubs and conduct youth development activities in the
community. This is done through collaborative efforts with the local 4-H Council and is
intended to have the staff member work primarily with youth members and adult volunteers.
Liz is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the 4-H Club Program. Programmatic
support is provided by the academic 4-H Youth Development Advisor located in Sutter/Yuba
Counties.
Currently there are seven 4-H Clubs, with 350 members enrolled. Over 80
adult volunteers provide project guidance, logistical support for meetings and events, and
direct educational service to youth. The youth gain knowledge, build self-esteem and learn
leadership skills through various activities and events to help them reach their full
potential as they face the challenges of today’s world.
Club Activities & Projects
 | Farm Equipment Show Pie Sale. This is the major fund-raiser for the county 4-H Program ,
and the pies are baked by 4-H families. |
| Livestock Field Days. These are educational activities where youth learn and practice
public speaking, appropriate presentation, project knowledge and decision making skills. |
| Home Ec. Review. This county wide event is where members exhibit Home Ec. related
projects and participate in field day judging. |
| Presentation Days. Presentations are teaching techniques utilized in 4-H. They give
members opportunities to practice their public speaking skills. |
| Leadership Conferences. These are opportunities for adult volunteers and teen members to
acquire leadership skills and share them with the local county program. |
| County Fair. This serves as the year end exhibition for member’s projects and is a
significant educational opportunity. |
Outreach and Information Delivery
Activities
Outside of the traditional club structure, over 1200 county youth were
reached through outreach efforts.
| Williams Farm Day is a one-day mini ag field day which exposed over 600 school age
children to hands-on activities. Featured were 4-H projects such as Y.E.S. (Youth
Experiences in Science), Entomology, and Green Thumb Gardens. |
| Produced 11 issues of newsletter, Colusa County 4-H News. This newsletter is sent
to 350 families and local agencies. |
| Distributed 5175 4-H Is 4-U informational flyers through the schools. |
| Promoted the 4-H Program at various events: window displays during National 4-H Week,
booths at County Fair, Farm Equipment Show, and local community events. |
The following issues are associated with the 4-H Clubs:
• Difficulties related to recruiting sufficient numbers of
qualified adult volunteers. The primary driving-force for the 4-H program is volunteers.
Projects can only be offered according to adults’ expertise and time allowances.
• Current club enrollment demographics do not reflect the
demographics of county potential members. Breaking cultural barriers associated with
bringing a higher percentage of the Hispanic community into the clubs is an ongoing
challenge.
• Low average income restricts member and adult involvement in
regional, state and national opportunities.
FSNEP
Liz also conducts the Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program (FSNEP)
for youth in the county. The goal of the program is to improve nutritional knowledge and
skills of food stamp recipients, specifically in the areas of selecting, purchasing, and
preparing low-cost nutritional meals.
Studies have demonstrated that eating practices formed during childhood
may influence adult food consumption patterns and health in later years. It is easier to
adopt healthy eating habits during childhood years than to change food consumption
behavior later in life. Research also shows that proper nourishment for children helps
improve their opportunities for success in school and promotes healthy development.
In the FSNEP Program, teachers are trained to use the Eating Right
is Basic curriculum to teach nutrition education to elementary school children ages
six to eleven. In 1998, twenty-two classrooms, reaching 616 children, participated in
Colusa County.
Youth Development Program
Isela Valdez, 4-H Youth Development Advisor conducts the CE Youth
Development Program in Colusa County. She is housed in the Sutter/Yuba County office,
where she also has programmatic responsibilities. Isela has been with CE since 1974. She
has a B.S. degree in Home Economics from South Dakota State University. Traditionally, 4-H
Youth Advisors were heavily involved in 4-H club management, but with the development of
the Program Representative concept earlier described, a greater emphasis is being placed
on applied research, dissemination of research-based information on issues facing youth
and outreach efforts. The 4-H Youth Development Advisor works collaboratively with CE
specialists and community members to develop and implement research-based educational
programs, in response to issues and needs facing local youth and families.
Issues and trends facing youth
A growing number of families in California are simply unable to provide
their children with the basics in life - adequate food, clothing and shelter. Stagnant
incomes, rising unemployment and inadequate child support have lead to record numbers of
children living in poverty. Many families cannot keep pace with the rapidly increasing
cost of housing, health care, and child care, which jeopardizes their children’s
future. The following statistical information relates to the challenges facing Colusa
County families:
| California Assessment Program scores for 8th graders in the "direct writing
section" rank Colusa County 56th in the state. In 1966, thirty percent of all Colusa
students were limited in English proficiency. |
| Limited employment opportunities for teens and recent high school graduates. There are
13 job seekers competing for every new job available. This results in an outflow of youth
from the community as they enter the job market. |
| Welfare Reform issues such as, time limitations, child care and food assistance affect
how families will cope with family economics. Sixty two percent of Colusa’s children
are low income, ranking 56th in the state. Colusa also ranks last among California
counties for having the highest percentage of mothers with less than 12 years of
education. |
Applied research and issue based activities
The following activities are taking place to address the issues facing
our local youth and families:
| In meeting the goals of the North Region 4-H Program to educate youth in
Science Literacy, Isela has served as a team member of YES projects statewide. YES uses
teens as extenders to teach K-3rd graders about science. Colusa County continues to be
active in this program. Ten teens have implemented the projects at events and various
activities in the county. Isela was specifically involved in the design and bilingual
components of the projects. |
| Collaborated with the Migrant Education Program and Children Services
resulting in the implementation of summer camping programs for forty youth and twenty
families. |
| Preparing Adolescents for the World of Work, a research study on
workforce preparedness involved fifty migrant seniors from two Colusa County high schools.
Findings indicate that lack of money was cited as the number one barrier blocking teens
desire for further education. High school career counseling programs do not seem to be
reaching youth. Data has been shared with schools and the Migrant Education Program.. |
| Co-authored Entering Today’s Job Market, a curriculum
utilizing practical, hand-on activities to help high school age youth prepare for entering
the workforce. The lessons center around the major fundamentals necessary to search for
employment: self assessment, completing a job application, principles of a cover letter,
creating an effective resume, the interview process and what to do once you get a job. Two
training’s were offered in the Northern Region to high school teens through the 4-H
Program. In collaboration with the Migrant Education Program, training’s are being
conducted to reach migrant teens. |
| Collaborated with specialists and other state staff to address issues
regarding Welfare Reform. Isela authored the section on Interviewing Skills in the Gateway
to a Better Life curriculum. This curriculum utilizes simple, engaging
activities to educate those adults preparing to enter the workforce by addressing job
acquisition as well as balancing work and home life. Areas of focus include: workforce
preparation, making the best personal choices, balancing work and personal life, making
every dollar count, quick and nutritious meals, successful parenting, clothing and
appearance, work behavior skills and other issues in becoming employed. This curriculum is
now available and is being offered to local agencies. |
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