Iowa State University Extension

Problem:
Iowa 's youth will be facing an increasingly competitive, global economy in which many will not be adequately prepared. Math and science scores are not keeping up with those of other countries. Child poverty, immigration and youth needing special assistance have increased, creating special challenges for families and schools.

The “No Child Left Behind” initiative has pushed higher standards in the classroom, yet schools alone have not met the demands. Researchers and practitioners agree that all community sectors must find ways to creative a positive, community-wide culture for learning (Search Institute, Commission on Children at Risk in “Hardwired to Connect”, 2003) While there is increasing recognition that “it takes a village” to raise thriving, successful children, there is little information on effective strategies to explicitly empower community sectors to support families and schools.

Response:
ISU Extension to Families and the IA. Department of Education partnered to develop a 6-day, community capacity building program called Partnering With Communities: Strong Families/Strong Communities (PWC). Core information and activities were taken from “Partnering With Parents”, an intensive training for professionals who work with parents based on best practices. The intent was to involve various facets of a community and first build awareness of youth and family needs. Secondly, community partners would learn about tools, processes and resources which could empower parents in their role as primary teachers. Finally, consistent community-wide messages would be created which would communicate effective ways to help youth learn. This would include how sleep, nutrition, exercise, styles of guiding and disciplining and the home environment influence learning.

Perry was chosen as a pilot site because it is a school that has been identified as needing assistance and because of its student diversity. A 5-member community planning committee recruited 20 Perry leaders for a 7-hour introductory workshop. These participants helped recruit program participants, donated meeting space, some learning materials and provided staff time to attend PWC. Eighteen community members participated in 33 hours of training in PWC. Community sectors included: the city (mayor, police and city manager), foster parents, hospital, ministerial association, Headstart, Tyson, Hometown Perry Iowa, Perry Chief (newspaper), Catholic and Public Schools (Board of Education, principal, outreach worker), public health, and Perry LINK. Topics included: parenting theories and reaching diverse families, effective guidance and discipline, the role of sleep, nutrition and exercise in learning and creating effective learning environments at home.

Impact:
PWC curriculum has been created out of the Perry pilot and will be introduced to Extension and agency staff summer'06. The Perry pilot resulted in 3 action groups to incorporate learning into the community. Positive participant evaluations revealed stronger partnerships and awareness of community resources as well as increased knowledge of effective ways to support youth towards successful learning. Follow-up data in summer, 2007, will further delineate specific outcomes.

Contact:
Beth Fleming
Family Life Field Specialist
Story County Extension
515-382-6551
bflem@iastate.edu

Kim Greder
Assistant Professor
56 LeBaron, Ames, IA 50011-4380
515-294-5906
kgreder@iastate.edu

Rosa De Gonzalez
Extension Field Specialist
Saint Patrick's Church, 1312 3rd ST, Perry, IA 50220-1525
515-465-4387
rdegonza@iastate.edu

Linda Nelson
Dallas County Extension Education Director
28059 FAIRGROUND RD, ADEL, IA 50003-4406
515-993-4281
lsnelson@iastate.edu

Jane Neff
Iowa Department of Education