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Goals -Enhance quality of life potential for low-income residents. <P>
Objectives - to conduct focus groups with parents and youth. <P>
Expected output - A better understanding of residents most recent perceived needs. To provide educational sessions on varied relevant topics. <P>
Expected output - Weekly sessions on agriculture, healthy lifestyles, nutrition, cultural arts, personal development, workforce preparation. To improve academic success.<P>
Expected output - Review of report cards, other information to gauge academic changes/improvements. To provide enhancements to increase graduation rates. <P>
Expected output - Through monitoring of report cards and other indices, with tutoring and educational sessions to improve on-schedule graduation chances. To prepare for the workplace through increase in work preparation skills. <P>
Expected output - Provide sessions on resume writing, interviewing skills, job search skills and entrepreneurship information. To increase knowledge of positive cultural elements.<P>
Expected output - Assist youth in preparation for local carnival; familiarize with heritage and cultural traditions and crafts. To assist in home work through tutoring. <P>
Expected output - Assist individual youth with home work assignments. To develop healthy lifestyles and improve nutrition habits. <P>
Expected output -Educational sessions on nutrition and healthy lifestyles. To understand the importance of food safety.<P>
Expected output - Provide educational sessions on food safety. To acquire an appreciation for agriculture. <P>
Expected output - Provide educational sessions on agriculture and gardening. To provide selected educational sessions for adults. <P>
Expected output - Intermittent sessions on nutrition, computer technology and work preparedness, as well as parenting and good communication skills. To provide staff with training on anger management, volunteer management and supervision, cooperative teaching, group management; and related topics.
NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: The University of the Virgin Islands Cooperative Extension Service has an extensive history of providing educational outreach to the local community. The CYFAR SCP will provide yet another opportunity to serve the at-risk community in the Virgin Islands. This model will allow for emphasis on school age youth, ages 5-16, in low-income housing developments on St. Croix and St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The islands have limited resources in part because of the geographical isolation from the mainland. Background information will assist in putting the importance of this project in perspective. There are numerous critical issues and disturbing trends impacting children and families in the Virgin Islands. Based on the recent Annie E. Casey Foundation's VI Kids Count (2007) publication, youth and families in the Virgin Islands face some daunting challenges. The overall population for St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John is estimated at 11,470. By race, 84.5 percent were black, 4.8 percent white and 10.6 percent other. Of this number 30,917 were children (birth - 18 years of age) or 27 percent of the total population. The population under age 20 remained fairly evenly divided by gender. Selected statistics indicated that the percent of low birth weight babies, child death rate, rate of teen deaths, teen birth rate, juvenile violent crime arrest rate, teens who are high school dropouts, teens not attending school and not working, children in poverty and children in single, female, parent households exceed the national rate. Additionally, the VI dropout rate is double the percentage of the national average. The percent of teens not attending school and not working rate in the VI was almost three times the national rate. Based on recent VI Health Department statistics, the top four causes of death in the territory are cancer, heart disease, diabetes mellitus and cerebrovascular disease - nutrition related behavior and lifestyle characteristics. Obesity rates have increased, as well. Unemployment rates exceed the national average and median household income is less than the national average. After school tutorials in English, mathematics and reading; and targeted educational sessions will be held 5 days per week where participants will also receive 4-H programming information in a safe and secure environment with caring adults. All educational activities will be experientially based and focused primarily on agriculture, computer technology, cultural arts, entrepreneurship, nutrition/healthy lifestyles, workforce preparation, and personal development. Parents will receive information and assistance to further good communication and parent-child relationships. Youth will be encouraged in development of self-efficacy and increased academic achievement. The program will be sustained at the end of the 5 year cycle through strategic planning which addresses the critical elements of sustainability - including strategic funding, leadership competence development and increased collaboration. It is anticipated that educational sessions and tutoring will ultimately benefit low income residents and enhance their quality of life.
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APPROACH: The project evaluation will include time series analysis of change. Comparisons to state and national averages will be analyzed. Descriptive statistics will be utilized as appropriate. Anecdotal evidence will be gathered. Utilization of standardized instuments related to self-esteem other program dimensions. Pre and post measures relative to workforce readiness and interest inventories. Interpreting focus group results. Infuse 4-H information as a part of 4-H club membership.