Improving Healthy Living Youth Development Program Outreach in Extension: Lessons Learned from the 4-H Health Rocks! Program

Authors

Muthusami Kumaran, University of FloridaFollow
Kate Fogarty, University of FloridaFollow
Whitney M. Fung, University of Florida/IFAS Extension Polk CountyFollow
Amanda Terminello, University of FloridaFollow

Volume

53

Issue

3

DOI

10.34068/joe.53.03.25

Abstract

This article discusses a qualitative evaluation of the Florida 4-H Health Rocks! program aimed at youth alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use prevention. A questionnaire was distributed to Extension professionals across Florida to gain insight into the strengths and barriers they faced with programming. Programmatic strengths included targeting a significant issue, using experiential activities, building life skills, and emphasizing youth-adult partnerships. Major programmatic barriers included time constraints, unsuccessful recruitment of volunteers, and an inability to fulfill implementation requirements. Specific recommendations are proposed to Extension professionals in order to improve overall Extension programming.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Kumaran, M., Fogarty, K., Fung, W. M., & Terminello, A. (2015). Improving Healthy Living Youth Development Program Outreach in Extension: Lessons Learned from the 4-H Health Rocks! Program. The Journal of Extension, 53(3), Article 25. https://doi.org/10.34068/joe.53.03.25