Programs: Family Strengthening Awards
Apply for 2008 Family Strengthening Awards (pdf)
4-H Family Strengthening Distinguished Lecture 2008
Dr. Don Bower, who serves as department head, professor and Extension human development specialist in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Georgia has been selected as the 2008 4-H Family Strengthening Distinguished Lecturer. Dr. Bower will present the third annual such lecture as part of the 2008 CYFAR Conference.
Dr. Bower received his doctorate degree in public administration and family policy from the University of Georgia and his master’s degree from the University of Arizona in child and family development. He is a certified family life educator and is certified in family and consumer sciences. Dr. Bower has been awarded more than $12 million in grant funding to support his programming, and was named the 2003 University of Georgia Walter B. Hill Distinguished Achievement Fellow in Public Service and Outreach. In 2004, he was named a fellow of the National Council on Family Relations. He served as 2005-2006 president of the American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences.
Overview and Program Goals
In rural America, being isolated and disconnected socially and/or geographically from opportunity and support can thwart the efforts and aspirations of even the most resourceful families and lengthen the odds against their children doing well. Therefore, it is critical to connect families to programs: resources and support that can help them succeed under disadvantaged conditions.
The Annie E. Casey Foundation, through their partnership with the National 4-H Council, wishes to reward programs that improve outcomes for rural, disadvantaged families by fostering the social networks, economic opportunities, services and support families need to be successful. Parents who have access to economic opportunities and who are supported by strong informal networks and accessible, effective services are much more likely to succeed at giving their children the better futures that all parents want for them.
4-H youth development programs have always involved parents and family members. The exemplary 4-H/CYFAR/Extension family science programs recognized by this awards program will be those that place a special emphasis on increasing opportunities and supportive networks for families along with 4-H children and youth in their educational programs and activities.
The overall goals of the program are:
To reward innovative, exemplary and effective 4-H youth development/CYFAR/Extension family science programs that strengthen families and foster new opportunities and supports through one of the following 4-H Programs of Distinction categories:
- Leadership, Citizenship and Life Skills
- Science, Engineering and Technology
- Healthy Lifestyles
- Youth in Governance
- Organizational Strategies
To reward 4-H/CYFAR/Extension family science youth development programs that reach disadvantaged youth and families in rural areas who are struggling with economic and social success.
The Award
With the help of the Annie E. Casey Foundation, awards of $15,000 will be presented to five outstanding 4-H/CYFAR/Extension family science youth development programs that successfully meet the criteria outlined in the application (download below). This award gives financial recognition for existing programs, not funding for completely new programs. The financial award will be given to the 4-H Extension Unit (county extension office, state 4-H program office, state or local 4-H foundation, etc.) that is involved in the planning and implementation of the award winning program.
The developers of each award-winning program will receive $10,000 at a recognition event held during the annual National Association of Extension 4-H Agents (NAE4-HA) meeting. The remaining $5,000 will be received when the recipients have successfully shared best practices/technical assistance relating to this program with others within the Cooperative Extension System or with other youth serving partner agencies. Information on best practices and technical assistance is described later in this document.
Funds are unrestricted once received. The primary requirement of awardees is to be available and willing to educate others about their successful programs.
For more information about the Annie E. Casey Foundation, visit www.aecf.org
2007 4-H Families Count: Family Strengthening Award Winner Profiles
- Arizona – Kinship Kare of Northern Arizona (KKONA)
- Colorado – DARE to be You “CARE to Wait”
- Maryland – Cyber Town
- Michigan – Journey 4-H Youth Mentoring
- Pennsylvania and Iowa – PROSPER: PROmoting School-community-university Partnerships to Enhance Resilience in Pennsylvania and Iowa
2006 4-H Families Count: Family Strengthening Award Winner Profiles
- Utah - 4-H Mentoring: Youth & Families with Promise (YFP)
- Colorado - DARE to be You Bridges
- Iowa - Strengthening Families Program (SFP) for Parents & Youth 10-14
- Nevada - Project MAGIC
- North Dakota - On the Move to Better Health
2005 4-H Families Count: Family Strengthening Award Winner Profiles
National 4-H Council
Grants Management Team
301-961-2869
mailto: familyawards@fourhcouncil.edu