Ricochet is an extreme leadership adventure program targeted at middle school students. It challenges youth to step outside their comfort zone and strengthen their skills. See how Clinton County is using this program.
Other highlights from Clinton, Cedar, Scott and Muscatine counties:
- Strengthening Families Program
In Muscatine County this year, approximately 35 families (with 40 youth) actively participated and graduated from the Strengthening Families Program. According to the research, that’s 40 youth that will be better at problem solving and less likely to engage in substance use and other problem behaviors. And that’s 35 more families that will have consistent, effective discipline, warmer adult-child relationships and better family cohesion.
- Parenting All Children Together
Parenting All Children Together (PACT) is a collaborative effort of Genesis Bright Beginnings, Lutheran Services of Iowa HOPES and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in Scott County, funded by Scott County Kids Early Childhood Iowa. The goals of this eight-part parenting program are to: promote and facilitate informal supports among families; increase families’ awareness of parenting strategies and community programs that help children meet developmental benchmarks; and enroll high-risk families in evidence-based formal support programs through home visitation. Eighty-seven adults registered for the program, which took place in May and June 2011, and 52 adults completed the program. Families who completed the program received $100 in incentives of their choice including toys, books, clothes and household items. This series was so successful in its first year that Scott County Kids Early Childhood Iowa has funded the program for the entire 2012 fiscal year.
- Cedar County Creates Community Vision
The Iowa’s Living Roadways Community Visioning Program, designed specifically for communities of less than 10,000 residents, is a collaboration of the Iowa Department of Transportation, the Living Roadway Trust Fund, Iowa State University and Trees Forever. The program helps participants create environments that not only meet residents’ basic needs, but also are aesthetically appealing. In 2007, the community of Tipton participated, creating projects including façade improvements in the downtown district, city logo and way-finding signage, trail and park development, and a more welcoming atmosphere at community entrances. More recently, Cedar County Economic Development Council, Cedar County Extension Council and Iowa State University Extension Community Economic Development have discussed joining forces to create an economic development focused partnership. Such partnership will enhance the ability of the community or county to address issues related to economic development and provide a more coordinated approach to improving the economic environment. - Horticulture in the Heartland Program
A healthy, attractive home landscape increases the value of a property and enhances the quality of life. As interest in home or consumer horticulture grows, so does the demand for sources of unbiased, scientific-based information. In response to growing interest in consumer horticulture, ISU Extension and Outreach in Clinton County partnered with Clinton Trees Forever, Bickelhaupt Arboretum and Clinton Community College to develop Horticulture in the Heartland, a day-long series of lectures, discussions and demonstrations providing home gardeners with research-based information. The Master Gardeners in Clinton County have been involved for the past eight years. The program attracts more than 130 attendees each year and serves as a great platform to promote the Master Gardener program and distribute research-based information that helps the consumer make wise decisions in plant selection, culture and pest management. - Economic Analysis for the City of Clinton
The City of Clinton asked Iowa State University Extension and Outreach to provide an economic evaluation of the Thomson Correctional Center proposed to open soon near Thomson, Ill. The study was conducted by Dr. Dave Swenson from the ISU Department of Economics. Initial city council approval and coordination of the timeline for the study was directed by Clinton County Extension Program Coordinator Dr. Mark Schroeder. The report provided a regional economic impact assessment, including an evaluation of the supply of labor and housing. The report is a service of ISU’s support of its mission to provide community economics and policy development education, research and technical assistance to Iowa’s communities and citizens. - For more information, visit: Clinton, Cedar, Scott and Muscatine county webpages.