Iowa State University Extension

Home

Current Community Projects:
Buena Vista County
Waterloo
 
Past Community Projects:
Davenport
Perry
Sioux City
Dubuque
Union County
Council Bluffs
Des Moines
Postville

ISU Extension to Families

Extension to Families Staff

CYFERnet

Resources

CYFAR is about developing organizational capacity at the state and local levels to implement community-based initiatives that improve outcomes for children, youth, and families living in at-risk environments. Best practices tell us that effective programs not only address the comprehensive needs of children and families but also incorporate community-building strategies to improve the environment in which they live.

CYFAR projects are designed and implemented based on a philosophy that has served the national, state, and local efforts. Through the years the philosophy has been refined and revised. The original and current philosophy documents continue to provide strong guidance to the work of CYFAR.

 

CYFAR programs integrate three essential program components in all community-based projects. The Community Component captures the “ecological” approach of CYFAR projects connecting the projects to existing networks as well as insuring that the family and community remain strong contexts for program participants. The Technology Component recognizes the importance of the teaching and utilization of technology, including technology in program planning, implementation, and evaluation. The Sustainability Component needs to be part of initial program design. Planning for how the project will evolve, change and ultimately become institutionalized both in the community and with the CES is essential early in the life of the CYFAR project.