Iowa State University Extension

Problem:
The Partnering 4 Families Empowerment Area (P4F), encompassing Audubon, Carroll, Greene and Guthrie Counties, is a collaborative group whose purpose is to promote the well-being of young children. Lack of high-quality education for parents and child care providers has been identified as a key need.

Response:
ISU Extension staff serving the counties involved proposed continuation of a series of monthly workshops called “Families Together” – a series begun in 2005-06, including topics drawn from the content of all three Families specialization areas: Family Life, Nutrition and Health, and Family Resource Management. In some prior years, workshops were actually held in only two of the counties, although they were promoted to all four counties. In 2008-09, based on the desire of the Empowerment Board and Extension staff, efforts were renewed to build partnerships and recruit audiences in all four counties. Extension delivered six 90-minute workshops, each in three counties, with six workshops in Carroll and Greene Counties, and three workshops each in Audubon and Guthrie Counties. Topics included: “Borrowing Smart,” “Healthy Meals in A Hurry,” “It Takes Two, Three… or Even More,” “Putting It In Action,” “Your Money, Your Priorities,” and “Don’t Give Your Child a Tummy Ache.” Workshops involve a variety of learning activities, and emphasize encouraging the actual use of ideas and skills learned, rather than simply focusing on knowledge. To accommodate child care providers who wished for 2 hours of credit, “homework” opportunities were provided for each session, creating application opportunities for those who wished for extra credit.

Impact:
The six monthly workshops were attended by an average of more than 60 participants/month, for a total of 362 educational contacts, with at least 200 different individuals. While the strongest attendance was in Carroll County (the regional center), attendance in all three of the smaller counties was also strong. 100% of those completing end-of-meeting evaluation forms reported that they learned something they would use. Sixty-nine homework assignments were completed as well. Year-end follow-up evaluation was conducted with an excellent response rate of 27%. For each of the six lessons, one or more questions were asked about whether participants had made use of the information they gained. For every lesson, the percent of participants who had actually USED the information gained was at least 96%. For four of the topics, 100% of those responding reported they had applied the information gained.

Examples of outcomes:

• 27/28 respondents reported taking steps to reduce debt.
• 36/37 respondents reported practicing one or more aspects of Healthy Meals in a Hurry.
• 23/23 respondents reported using one or more Positive Discipline teaching tools with their children.

Multiplyier Effect: 96% of respondents (50/52) reported sharing information with others. At least three child care providers reported frequently sharing this information with the parents of the children in their care.

Additional ISUE Extension Staff:
Paulelda Gilbert, Barbara Fuller, Patricia Anderson, Cheryl Clark, Donna Donald, Beth Fleming, Joyce Lash, MaryBeth Kaufman, Craig Hertel, Dennis Molitor, Mary Ottmar, Kelsey Bailey

Additional Team Members or Community Partners:
Cindy Duhrkopf, Partnerships 4 Families Empowerment Coordinator

Contact:
Barb Wollan
Hamilton County Extension
311 Bank Street
Webster City, IA 50595
515-832-9597
bwollan@iastate.edu