Enhancing Florida's Families and the Florida 4-H Program
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UF/IFAS
2006-07
Budget Request
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| Florida overweight adolescents have a 70% chance of becoming overweight or obese adults. 26$ of children and adolescents ages 6-19 are overweight. |
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| Seniors have a positive economic, social, and civic impact on communities throughout Florida. They also impact Florida through costs associated with health care, insurance and extended care. |
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| Youth need positive relationships with at least five to six (non-parental) caring adults. |
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| More people drop out of college due to credit card debt than bad grades. By graduation, students double and triple the number of credit cards in their possession. |
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| A U.S. government report showed that a return of $6 to $8 for every $1 spent on prevention programs keeps youth on track. |
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| Studies show that youth who take part in 4-H programs have lower rates of pregnancy, drug, alcohol, and tobacco use, and higher rates of civic engagement and school achievement. |
Enhancing
Florida’s Families and the Florida 4-H Program
University of Florida/IFAS – Legislative Budget Request
$1,341,000 recurring
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Solutions:
- Obesity
is the health challenge for the 21st century. Poor
nutrition and lifestyle choices create health problems such as heart
disease, cancer, obesity, stroke, and diabetes. 26% of Florida’s
high school students and 35% of adults are significantly above their
ideal weight.
- With 19% of
Florida’s children living in poverty, a high school graduation rate
of only 69% and almost 1/3 of families being single family households,
families are experiencing critical financial challenges such as
affordable housing and increasing debt. Consumer education programs
are necessary for families and youth.
- The percentages of
the Florida population below 18 years of age and above 65 are
increasing rapidly. Both of these groups require increased support
through government and private services. Often they are isolated from
one another.
- There is a profound
gap between the knowledge and skills most students learn in school and
the life skills necessary to succeed as contributing members in their
communities.
- The number of University of Florida state faculty engaged in family science extension programs has declined more than 60% in the past 20 years. 4-H youth development faculty has declined 80%.
Solutions: Expanded Extension Education:
- Floridians can
improve healthy nutrition management skills that reduce obesity through education and policy changes. This can help reduce Florida’s
$77 billion annual health care bill. Extension programs work by adding
value to every dollar invested. For
every $1 invested in nutrition education programs, $10.64 is saved on
health care costs and $2.48 is saved on food expenditures.
- In
Extension programs, youth and adults participants reported 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 large difference in the
lives and financial status of thousands of Florida families.
- Young people who participate
in 4-H clubs do better in school, are more motivated to help others,
are developing skills in leadership, public speaking, self-esteem,
communication and planning, and are making lasting friendships.
Florida 4-H members numbered over 218,000; more could be engaged.
- 4-H Youth who had 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 schools and families 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.
Create critically needed support for Florida communities:
- 12 Family and 4-H faculty positions at Gainesville and Research and Education Centers across the state: Milton (near Pensacola), Quincy, Apopka, Balm (Hillsborough County), Ft. Pierce, Homestead, and Belle Glade
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Affordable housing is vital to Florida's future. 33% of Florida children live in a family where no parent has full-time, year-round employment. Over one third of Florida children live in single-parent households. |