|
|
|
|
FoodWIse is in full swing this spring, kicking off with our first series of virtual education lessons! Kelly began teaching a Color Me Healthy program to Washington County Head Start 3 and 4 year olds, connecting with 83 students across eight classrooms.
Kelly taught the first two of six lessons prior to spring break, going through the five food groups and MyPlate friends in the first lesson, and teaching about eating a rainbow of fruits and vegetables in the second. Our Head Start partners went above and beyond to coordinate with food service and provide typical taste test foods that correspond with weekly lessons; all the students have had the opportunity to apply the lessons and try colorful fruits and vegetables every week!
In addition to direct education, Kelly completed training for a national program, GO NAPSACC, to certify in supporting county early childhood education centers interested in making future changes to their nutrition and physical activity practices.
|
|
Facilitating Samaritan Task Force Process
|
|
Washington County Policy Director Matt Furno asked Paul to facilitate the County Executive’s Samaritan Task Force (STF). The objective of the seven-member task force was to provide a recommendation to the County’s Human Services Committee and County Board on the policy question; “Should Washington County remain in long-term care (nursing home) services?”
The STF met three times over five weeks to gain a greater understanding of the issue, discuss the policy question, and to make a recommendation. Paul’s specific roles included assisting the development of the STF process, facilitating their discussions, authoring a report of task forces work, and developing a summary presentation to the Human Service Committee and County Board.
Six of the STF members completed an evaluation after the last meeting and 100% agreed that the task force’s objective was clear, the presentations informed their decision-making process, the process allowed them the opportunity to contribute to the final recommendation, and that participating on the STF was a valuable use of their time.
|
|
The 4-H’s in 4-H stand for head, heart, hands and health. Over the last year, resilient youth, volunteers and staff have found new ways to continue growing in the 4H’s.
Youth and adults have used their heads to learn new ways to connect with each other, share knowledge, and have fun virtually. The heart in 4-H represents youth and adults feeling a sense of belonging in 4-H. Youth have connected with youth from across WI and from Kansas and Tennessee through our virtual exchanges. Washington County 4-H youth have also grown in health through their involvement as youth leaders in state-wide committees and through the WI Virtual Learning Community. Youth have grown in self-confidence and stepped outside of their comfort zones! Finally, 4-H members have used their hands to support their communities by making cards, face masks, and blankets for those in need and participating in a variety of trash pick-up events to keep their neighborhoods clean.
|
|
Assisting Schools with Social Emotional Learning Lessons
|
|
Positive Youth Development
|
|
|
Ron delivered two workshops to Jackson Elementary School and Fair Park Elementary School classrooms over a 12-day period in March. The workshop: Think Outside the Box: Strategies for Problem Solving focused on individual problem solving skills and emotion management when dealing with tough problems (attended by 125 fourth graders).
The second workshop, T.E.A.M. (Together Everyone Achieves More!) focused on group interaction, group planning, consensus building and positive communication (attended by 125 fourth graders). All sessions were delivered via zoom. Extension coordinated with the two school’s counselors to deliver these sessions.
Feedback was positive from both schools. One school noted that a specific classroom was ‘Very challenging. Many learning and behavior difficulties. This was a great experience for them!). Ron will follow up with counselors as they have expressed interest in more sessions provided by Extension later this spring.
|
|
Building Parents' Confidence with the Triple P Parenting Program
|
|
Human Development & Relationships
|
|
|
Carol facilitated 3 Triple P Positive Parenting Program virtual seminars in February. The first week, parents (9) explored positive parenting techniques, during the “Power of Positive Parenting” Seminar. The core principles include having a safe and positive learning environment, using assertive discipline, having realistic expectations, and taking care of yourself as a parent. The second week, (10 participants), “Raising Resilient Children” focused on the 6 key building blocks for success which include recognizing and expressing feelings appropriately and developing coping skills. The third week (10 participants), “Raising Confident, Competent Children,” emphasized techniques to foster good communication, social skills, problem solving and independence.
Overall, 97% of parents who completed the post session surveys (n=22), strongly agreed that they felt they were more knowledgeable with topics presented during the Triple P parenting series. And 96% felt that the seminar was helpful in gaining an understanding of what you can do to help your child learn new skills and behavior.
|
|
Building a Positive Business Culture on Farms
|
|
The "Building a Positive Business Culture with Employee Safety and Health" webinar for farmers, ag service providers and educators addressed how farms can become positive places to work during covid19, better understand concerns of Latin/Hispanic employees and explore ways to create a culture on your farm that will attract and retain good employees and empower the business for long-term success.
There were 221 participants registered for the program including farmers, farm service providers and educators, with approximately 46 livestream and 34 (and counting) recorded viewings. As a result of the program, participants said they agreed or strongly agreed (100%) that they increased awareness of the value of a positive workplace culture for my farm business, or businesses I work with. Participants also agreed or strongly agreed (100%) that they learned how they can help improve at least one aspect of an employee's work experience on their own farm or those they're working with.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
