Informing Practice Through Professional Development: An Interstate Urban Programming Study Tour

Authors

  • Vernelle Mitchell-Hawkins University of Maryland Extension
  • Deborah Dietrich Penn State Extension

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/jyd.2022.1044

Keywords:

professional development, urban programming, youth, planning, evaluation

Abstract

Southeast Pennsylvania 4-H Extension educators identified a need for professional development in order to further develop current urban 4-H programs. The expectation was that increased awareness and knowledge would lead to increased skills competency in planning, implementing, and evaluating urban 4-H youth development programs. An interstate professional development program was developed to inform practitioners on positive youth development in urban communities. The 2-day program included on-site observations of urban programs and professional development on best practices. The event was scheduled as a study tour that involved intentional focus on practical applications of research theory for informal education. The Penn State Extension 4-H Urban Study Tour included on-site observations, program development, and networking leading to the successful development of action plans for local implementation. The program was evaluated for impact using pre- and post-tour survey tools. Results suggest that the participants gained value from the professional development study tour, thus similar opportunities may be warranted.

Author Biographies

Vernelle Mitchell-Hawkins, University of Maryland Extension

4-H Educator, Baltimore County

University of Maryland Extension

Deborah Dietrich, Penn State Extension

Area 4-H Educator, Southeast Pennsylvania 

Penn State Extension

References

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Fields, N. (2011). Strategies for 4-H youth development educators on outreach programming (Publication No. FS-927). University of Maryland Extension. https://extension.umd.edu/learn/publications/strategies-4-h-youth-development-educator outreach-programming

Garcia, M., Piña, M., Dromgoole, D., (2017). Including at-risk populations in urban 4-H after-school programs. Journal of Medical Diagnostic Methods, 6(3), 252. https://doi.org/10.4172/2168-9784.1000252

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LaVergne, D. D. (2013). Diversity inclusion in 4-H youth programs: Examining the perceptions among West Virginia 4-H youth professionals. Journal of Extension, 51(4a1). https://joe.org/joe/2013august/a1.php

National 4-H Council. (2017). Strategic plan: 4-H Youth Development a 2025 vision. https://nifa.usda.gov/sites/default/files/resources/National%204-H%20Strategic%20Plan%202017.pdf

National Urban Extension Leaders. (2015). A national framework for urban Extension: A report from the National Urban Extension Leaders. https://urban-extension.cfaes.ohio-state.edu/sites/urban/files/imce/Natl%20Framework%20for%20Urban%20Extension%209%2015%20(2)%20final%20(004)_0.pdf

Smith, J., & Soule, K. E. (2016). Incorporating cultural competence & youth program volunteers: A literature review. Journal of Youth Development, 11(1), 20–34.

U.S. Census. (2020, December 8). SAIPE state and COUNTY estimates for 2019. Retrieved February 20, 2021, from https://www.census.gov/data/datasets/2019/demo/saipe/2019-state-and-county.html

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Published

2022-09-27

Issue

Vol. 17 No. 3 (2022)

Section

Program & Practice Articles

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