South Region 4-H and Youth Development Strategic Plan

Executive Summary (Full Version)  The 4-H and Youth Development Program in the South Region will be structured around three fundamental concepts. Programming efforts will target issues identified by the Texas Community Futures Forum. Growth and development of existing programs will also serve as a focus of local programming efforts. County Extension agents providing leadership in these areas will also have the opportunity to gain valuable skills through professional development opportunities. This plan is also linked to the Texas 4-H and Youth Strategic Plan that identifies both state and national youth trends.

• Issue-Based Programs

  • Higher Education & Careers

  • Positive Use of Unsupervised Time

  • Social issues

  • Health and Nutrition

• Program Growth & Development

  • Clear goals and strategies to increase enrollment in community clubs as well as other delivery methods

    • Community, Project, School Clubs

    • Curriculum Enrichment

    • Special Interest, Day Camps, and other short-term involvement

  • Increased capacity to support 4-H and Youth Development Program through volunteer recruitment and development

    • Volunteer recruitment

    • Volunteer training

    • Volunteer recognition

  • Focus on local programs, activities, and learning strategies

    • Evaluate and improve the learning opportunities available to youth at the local level

    • Increase the opportunities and the diversity of those opportunities at the local level

• Professional Development

  • South Region Faculty and Staff Development Plan

    • Regional Program Directors will develop a list of Competency deficiencies and training needs that are prevalent in the region. The assessment to determine these deficiencies and training needs include a review of Faculty Competency self assessments, interaction with Associate Department Heads and/or Extension Program Leaders, Professional Associations expressed need for training, interaction with District Extension Administrators, and review of issues identified by Texas Community Futures Forum issues.

    • Regional Program Directors will present a list of competency deficiencies and training needs to District Extension Administrators and 4-H Specialists during Regional Administration meeting.

    • Regional Program Directors, District Extension Administrators and 4-H Specialists will develop a Regional Training Matrix that will include Competency to be addressed, Formal Training, Informal Training, Training Topics, Individuals Responsible for Training, and time line for Training

    • Incorporation and Implementation of Texas 4-H and Youth Professional Development for Extension Faculty

Texas 4-H and Youth Professional Development for Extension Faculty

Executive Summary (Full Version) Professional development in the area of 4-H and Youth Development is vital to the success of county Extension faculty in delivering and managing 4-H and Youth programs locally. It is equally important in assisting Extension faculty with career goals in 4-H and Youth Development. Furthermore, support through professional development is essential for the success of Texas Cooperative Extension, the Texas 4-H and Youth Development Program, youth, families and communities of Texas. Professional development should be sequential and cumulative to allow for skills to be acquired and developed to a level that maximizes each professional's ability to be effective in their local programs. The Texas 4-H Program is committed to providing these professional development opportunities at all levels for Extension faculty to insure their success and that of the 4-H Program in Texas.

This resource has been developed to support Regional 4-H Leadership Teams and county Extension agents by providing standards from which all professional development in 4-H and Youth Development should be based upon. In addition, this resource provides guidance and direction to the Texas 4-H Faculty as it plans and allocates resources for training and professional development. This resource should be utilized by county Extension agents, specialists, administrators, professional associations, and others Extension groups when planning professional development opportunities in 4-H and Youth Development for Extension faculty.

Texas 4-H and Youth Professional Development Plan for Extension Faculty is a comprehensive approach to professional development in 4-H and Youth utilizing the 4-H and

Youth Professional Development Matrix and the 4-H Professional Research and Knowledge Taxonomy (4-H PRKC) as a foundation of a set of sequential and cumulative development opportunities for Extension faculty providing leadership for 4-H and Youth Development programs. Professional development has been organized to reflect sequential and cumulative opportunities as identified below and described further in this resource.

• 4-H Orientation

• New Faculty Orientation

• 4-H 101

• Online Courses

• Independent Study & Development

• 4-H Regional Training

• Texas Association of Extension 4-H Agents

• 4-H Regional Summit

• Texas 4-H and Youth Development Summit