Enhancing Florida's Families and the Florida 4-H Program
* * Speak With Your Legislator? How did it go?! * *
Printer Friendly Downloads (.pdf)
UF/IFAS
2006-07
Budget Request
Questions or Comments?
Drop
Us a Note
Enhancing
Florida Families and the Florida 4-H Program
Call
to Action – Your Help is Needed
The University of Florida has identified a “Family and 4-H Initiative” as part of the legislative budget request for 2006-2007. They recognize that additional 4-H and Family Extension staff are critical, given the small number currently supporting families and 4-H programs.
Research clearly shows the most effective
ways to reduce risks and strengthen families and youth are two-fold:
1) teach the
skills and behaviors associated with strong families and
2) provide youth
with positive learning opportunities that prepare them for the future
More educational opportunities, based on
current research in family and youth development, are needed to build
coping skills and stronger support systems for families.
When individual families develop healthy
life choices skills, such as financial management, affordable and
accessible housing, and intergenerational support, they are more
productive and have less health care costs,
lower incidence of family disruption and increased well being. When
youth experience positive youth development programs like 4-H in their
community, they have less high-risk behaviors, higher school attendance
and grades, better conflict management skills, and better work habits.
The Family and 4-H Initiative will provide individuals, families and communities greater access to information on managing family resources, making healthy choices, and 4-H youth development.
What
Can Be Done:
Because IFAS,
4-H, and Extension employees are prohibited from discussing our funding
needs with legislators, your help is needed.
You can make a difference by taking the fact sheet and calling, writing, emailing or
visiting elected legislators to ask for their help.
- Talk about your involvement in
Extension programs, sharing benefits and effectiveness
- Link 4-H and family Extension
programs with IFAS and the University of Florida
- Ask them
for their help in supporting this initiative, the
Families & 4-H Initiative
- Build a solid relationship with
leaders
- Repeat
contact over time to build the relationship--continuing to point out
the value of the program.
- Provide
feedback to any questions that they may have
Initiative
Details
The
Families and 4-H Initiative is a legislative funding priority of the
University of Florida. It is a part of the Department of Education budget
request.
Family
Consumer Science and 4-H are part of IFAS Extension at the University of
Florida..