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Transforming lives of Iowa families Families across the lifespan connect with Iowa State University Extension. Extension provides research-based information and education to help families make decisions that improve and transform their lives. • 104,311 individuals participated in Extension’s noncredit workshops, conferences, meetings and home study programs to increase their understanding and skills and improve their lives—a 12 percent increase over the previous year. An additional 114,027 Iowans received targeted newsletters, called Extension hotlines or received individual consultations — a 7.5 percent increase over previous years. • 12,000 Iowans participated in the five-month Lighten Up Iowa program in 2003 and logged 2.6 million miles of activity and lost 47,000 pounds. Lighten Up Iowa is a partnership of the Iowa Department of Public Health, Iowa Games and ISU Extension. • 12,638 Iowans participated in ISU Extension financial management workshops; 84 percent of participants in consumer credit workshops reported taking actions to reduce debt; 69 percent of participants in retirement planning workshops reported gaining greater control of their current spending and saving. • 11,240 Iowa high school students enrolled in the High School Financial Planning curriculum. ISU Extension partners with the National Endowment for Financial Education to offer this program to increase students’ financial skills and knowledge. • Food safety programs reached 13,491 youth and adults across the state last year. In one survey, 98 percent of participants reported adopting one or more recommended food handling practices. In addition, 2,572 teachers and trainers downloaded Extension’s online lesson plans to use in their classrooms. • 50,262 youth and adults participated in nutrition education. In one survey, 62 percent of participants in face-to-face nutrition education programs reported adopting a behavior change such as consuming more fruits and vegetables or reading food labels more often. • Nearly 6,000 people learned about assistive technology and ways to improve farm and home accessibility during education and awareness events sponsored by the Iowa AgrAbility Project, a collaborative effort with the Rural Solutions Program of Easter Seals Iowa. • During the second year of Extension’s Rural Mental Health project, funded by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, more than 400 farm businesses received farm business and financial analysis. In addition, 130 families received financial counseling, and 2,436 individuals received mental health counseling in partnership with 40 community counseling agencies across Iowa. • More than 2,500 parents improved their parenting skills by participating in sequenced, educational workshops. • 168 new child care centers, early childhood programs and family home child care programs were started as a result of direct Extension involvement. Also, 1,656 existing childhood programs and businesses were strengthened with Extension involvement and 126 individuals were employed as a result of new or expanded programs or businesses. • 480 Iowans participated in Adult Children and Aging Parents: Conversations between Generations. In a follow-up survey, 89 percent of workshop respondents reported they were better prepared to make family decisions related to later life issues. • 106 professionals participated in a statewide program on caregiving and mental health; 85 percent felt better able to assist caregiving families in maintaining positive mental health. |
Annual Report Edition homepage The Extension Connection is a quarterly publication of Iowa State University Extension. Send a message: Nondiscrimination statement and information disclosures Last update: January 2004
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