Extension Communications
Extension 4-H Youth Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3630
(515) 294-9915
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Extension Communications |
7/22/04
Contacts:
Diana Broshar, Iowa State University Extension to Families, (515) 294-8204,
dmbro@iastate.edu
Laura Sternweis, Continuing Education and Communication Services, (515) 294-0775,
lsternwe@iastate.edu
CYFAR's 2003 Organizational Change Survey Results Show Strong Support
AMES, Iowa - There is strong support for strengthening ISU Extension's ability to work with children, youth and families at risk, according to a study by ISU Extension's Children, Youth, and Families at Risk (CYFAR) project.
The Organizational Change Survey (OCS), developed in 1997, was created to document a state extension system's ability to develop and sustain effective programs to serve at-risk children, youth and families. ISU Extension conducted the first round of the OCS in 1997, the second round in 2000 and the third round in 2003. Families, youth, and communities state and field specialists were surveyed, as well as state administrators and area and county extension education directors. The latest survey showed similar strengths and weaknesses to the 2000 survey.
"We are very pleased to have participated in the third round of this national survey and are encouraged with the findings," said Diana Broshar, ISU extension program specialist. "Overall, the findings indicate that ISU Extension staff is knowledgeable and committed to working with Iowa's at risk children, youth and families."
The results suggest some areas where improvements may be needed. The study proposes a need to continue building support for community-based programs for at-risk audiences in Iowa. It also shows that respondents would like to see improvements in ISU Extension relative to diversity.
The statewide goals for Iowa's CYFAR project are to improve the ability of families who are at risk to raise children who are healthy, contributing citizens; to improve the well-being of children, youth and families; and to build community capacity to support these families. One objective of CYFAR is to improve each state extension system's capacity to support community-based programs for children, youth and families at risk.
The executive summary and more information can be found at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/cyfar/capbuilding/ocs/.
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