Copyright 2011. All rights reserved by National FFA Organization.

Rural Youth Development Service-Learning Summit

Rural Youth DevelopmentFFA Service-Learning Summit

RYD Program Philosophies and Foundations

Nancy Valentine, Ed.D.National Program Leader, 4-H & RYD Project Manager

June 26, 2011Crowne Plaza at Historic Union Station

Indianapolis, IN

Program History

•Original Funding (2002)•Common Framework Developed (2005)

o Service-learningo Address complex, long-term community issueso Youth & volunteer leadership developmento Community powerbrokers

•Organization & Staff Changes

Current Program “Sound Bites”

“Youth build strong rural communities”

“Youth improve their own lives and the communities in which they live”

Research Bases

•Human Development (Ecological Model)

•Youth Development (Mastery, Independence, Belonging, Generosity)

•Community Development (Community Capital Model: Human, Social, Financial, Natural, Cultural, Civic/Political, Built)

Guiding Principles•Youth-adult partnerships•Youth valued as resources with authentic voices•Culturally sensitive, inclusive•Social entrepreneurship concepts•Safe environments (physical & emotional)•Connect formal & non-formal education•Youth build positive visions as leaders & successful members of society

Attributes of Projects (1 of 4)

•Located in rural communities•Sustainable beyond federal funding•Intent to fund for 3-5 years•Same youth for multiple years•Projects located in the communities in which

they live•Scope, breadth, depth, intensity, & frequency•Youth led with adult guidance

Attributes of Projects (2 of 4)

•Address significant, long-term, complex community issue(s), i.e. hunger, nutrition, obesity, natural resources, cultural tensions•Not one-time efforts or a series of one-time

efforts, i.e. road side cleanups•Long term impact. What is the residual benefit to the community, e.g. income from rental property?

Attributes of Projects (3 of 4)

Expand over multiple years•Year 1—pack backpacks of nutritious food for families over weekends•Year2—backpacks plus community gardens•Year 3—continue years 1 & 2; add educational programs•Year 4—continue years 1-3; add “gleaning”•Year 5—continue years 1-4; add farmer’s markets

Attributes of Projects (4 of 4)

Ability to report impact for:•Youth•Adult volunteers•Community powerbrokers•Program beneficiaries•Communities

Good Program Development (1 of 3)

•Identify big issue and ideal outcomes first•Include community powerbrokers in identifying needs•State SMART outcomes, i.e. specific, measurable, attainable, realistic & timely•Outcomes need to include youth, adult volunteers, community leaders, program beneficiaries and larger community

Good Program Development (2 of 3)

•Program strategies are appropriate to address stated outcomes•Cost effective evaluation methods are appropriate to measure outcomes•Sustainability plans are planned in the beginning•Training for youth and adult volunteers provided

Good Program Development (3 of 3)

•Financial support from the grant is enough for youth to be successful•Developing human and social capital is inherent for program participants; could also

be a focus for beneficiaries

Questions???