Families, Communities and Civic Engagement

Program Planning and Reporting homepage

Reporting Instructions

Plan of Work Index

Evaluation Instruments 

Summary

Goal:
Individuals, families and community institutions will work collaboratively to improve quality of life.

Outcome:
# of communities who report taking action to address public issues related to improving circumstances for children, youth and families at risk.

Activities:
Families, Communities and Civic Engagement: (These activities are available state wide, additional activities may be available at the county and area level).

• Children, Youth and Families At Risk (CYFAR)
  • Sustainable Community Projects
  • CYFERNet
• Poverty
  • Making Ends Meet, National Issues Forum
  • Study Circles on Poverty, NW Foundation
  • Poverty Simulations
  • Horizons
    

Note: Download the following  Families, Communities and Civic Engagement Plan of Work as a pdf file.

1. Name of the Planned Program
Families, Communities and Civic Engagement

2. Program Knowledge Areas
KA 803 Sociological and Technological Change Affecting Individuals, Families and Communities - 30%
KA 805 Community Institutions, Health and Social Services - 70%

3. Program existence
New

4. Program duration
Long term

5. Brief Summary about Planned Program
ISUE educational programs increase awareness about critical issues facing families, and teach processes that increase citizen participation and move communities to action. ISUE plans to work with citizens in selected communities to learn about causes and consequences of poverty, identify ways to increase citizen involvement in community decision making, and undertake an action plan. A portion of this program will also be devoted to cultural awareness and a respect for diversity. Participants will identify community problems and assets, create collaborative relationships, and develop self-advocacy skills to improve their quality of life.

6. Situation/Priorities
Poverty is often hidden in Iowa. The number of working poor are increasing and the rural-urban gap is growing. Economic pressures have long-term negative consequences for children and families. Solutions lie in both individual and collective/community response. Iowa's diversity is also changing, which is also affecting communities. Poverty threatens the well-being of families. Citizens and community organizations together can make more informed decisions, collaborate and take action to improve the quality of life of economically vulnerable families.

7. Assumptions

• Citizens can learn skills to make decisions collectively. Communities can use an empowering approach to manage critical issues facing them. Technical support will include identifying possible funding sources to expand activities.
• Diversity enhances our culture and supports economic vitality.

8. Ultimate goal(s) of this program
Individuals, families and community institutions will work collaboratively to improve quality of life.

9. Scope of program
Multi-state Extension

Inputs of the Program
10. Expanding formal funds or state matching funds - yes11. Expanding funds other than formula funds to be budgeted for this program - yes

12. Estimated amount of professional FTEs to be budgeted for this program
2007 - 9.25; 2008 - 9.25; 2009 - 9.25; 2010 - 9.25; 2011 - 9.25

Outputs for the Program
13. Activities
Short-term educational programs will increase awareness of local social and economic conditions that exacerbate poverty and inform citizens about effective strategies for achieving local objectives. In addition, long-term collaborations in selected communities will address the causes and consequences of poverty.

14. Types of methods will be used to reach direct and indirect contacts
Direct
Education class, Workshop, Group One on one Discussion, Other -Simulations

Indirect
Newsletters, Other-website

15. Description of targeted audience
Citizens in communities that have high rates of poverty and have indicated an interest in working on poverty as an issue.16. Standard output measures

Output Measures
18. Targeted audience
Output text: Number of participants in educational programs that increase awareness of public issues
2007 - 1,000; 2008 - 1,200; 2009 - 1,400; 2010 - 1,600; 2011 - 1,800

Output text: Number of community groups formed to address a public issue.
2007 - 5; 2008 - 6; 2009 - 7; 2010 - 8; 2011 - 9

Outcomes
19. Outcome Indicators
Outcome text: Number of communities who report taking action to address public issues related to improving circumstances for children, youth and families at risk.
2007 - 5; 2008 - 6; 2009 - 7; 2010 - 8; 2011 - 9

20. External factors that might affect outcomes
Natural disasters, Economy, Appropriations change, Public policy change, Competing Programmatic Challenges, Populations changes

21. Evaluation studies planned
Before-after, Case study

Data collection method
  Case study,  Survey - on site Observation