Enhancing Florida's Families and the Florida 4-H Program

Case Statement

Budget Request
Fact Sheet

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How YOU Can Help

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• Case Statement
  
• Fact Sheet
  
• How YOU Can Help

UF/IFAS
2006-07
Budget Request

Florida 4-H

UF IFAS

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Case Statement  (Download Printer-Friendly .pdf Here)

This initiative is a high priority of the University of Florida, IFAS, and the Extension Service. It is included as a priority program in the State University System, Board of Governor’s 2006-2007 Legislative Budget.  The Category is “Meeting Community Needs and Missions.”  

This Initiative would employ 12 faculty who will insure well documented and evaluated prevention programs in family development, financial literacy, obesity reduction, affordable housing, 4-H youth development (for all youth, including rural and urban), teen leadership, youth civic engagement, and agency collaborations. 

This Initiative supports family and youth programs statewide, and will deepen the involvement of the University of Florida in grassroots training programs and positive activities, enhancing the Governor’s Family Initiative and addressing the Future of Florida’s Families committee plans for documented change by 2010.

Extension Family and 4-H programs throughout Florida are effective and efficient use of dollars.  Through a combination of Federal, State, and County dollars, each government entity is able to obtain greater leverage for Extension family and 4-H programs in every Florida county  and the Seminole Tribes. Based in IFAS, 50% of the county-based Extension Faculty work in family and 4-H programs.

Current Extension family and 4-H participants report increased skills of 70% or more in money management, parenting, food choices, housing decisions, senior care, intergenerational relationships, and decisions-making. These improved skills make a critical difference in the lives and financial status of thousands of Florida families.  Last year, over 800 educational programs were conducted by Extension family and consumer science faculty.

Research shows young people who participate in 4-H clubs do better in school, are more motivated to help others, develop skills in leadership, public speaking, self-esteem, communication and planning, and make lasting friendships. Florida 4-H members numbered over 218,000; more could be engaged.

4-H Youth with county leadership experiences are rated high on life skills development by parents and teachers. This increases significantly with leadership experiences beyond the county level. Of the 22,319 youth in club activities, 1,380 youth are involved in county level 4-H leadership activities. One out of every two of these youths are involved in leadership activities beyond the county level.

Quality 4-H opportunities complement families, schools, and communities by providing educational support that deters failure and promotes success. Guided by 12,806 community based volunteers, the 4-H adult volunteer investment is conservatively valued at over $4,494,906.

Extension currently has a 95% customer satisfaction rating, with 69% of the recipients sharing information with someone else. Information is rated by citizens as easy to understand, up-to-date and accurate at the 96% level.