(Formerly PENpages #29503612)
Updated for 2004
4-H and youth development programs focus on building lifelong learning skills that develop youth potential. Programs should engage youth in healthy learning experiences that increase self-esteem and problem-solving skills. The youth component of EFNEP focuses on providing food and nutrition education to youth from low-income families. The acquisition of knowledge and skills that can lead to changed attitudes and changed behavior contributes to nutritionally sound diets and to personal development. Another long-range goal is to encourage EFNEP youth to pursue additional opportunities in extension youth development programs, particularly 4-H.
The role of Nutrition Education Advisors (NEA) in the youth development program should be a meaningful leadership role related to nutrition educational programming and activities. (i.e., NEAs should be engaged in teaching, recruiting, demonstrations, information dissemination, or displays.)
Audience:
The EFNEP youth audience includes:
- low-income youth
- youth living in low-income urban and rural geographic areas
- youth from families enrolled in EFNEP and other low-income programs
Time Commitments:
Each EFNEP unit has a 20% time commitment to youth programming and an 80% time commitment to adult programming which may be apportioned among appropriate staff. Within youth programming, at least 90% of time should be spent with organized youth groups. The remaining 10% may be reported as "other youth reached" as defined by the 4-H A-100 guidelines.
Youth reached through organized youth groups (at least 90%) should have a minimum of three hours of contact with food and nutrition related material. Hands on skill building in food selection, food preparation, food buying, and food safety are encouraged. Other youth reached (up to 10%) may be receiving less than three hours or be youth under 4-H age. Examples include: single contacts, youth under age eight, fun fair participants, Head Start students, and single activity school programs.
Pregnant teens participating in "EATING FOR A BETTER START" should be enrolled as an adult EFNEP client. Counties may also wish to include work done with pregnant teens in their annual youth development reports.
Exceptions to the 20/80 guideline must be approved by the state EFNEP program manager and regional director in charge of EFNEP, in consultation with the supervising agent and the CED in the involved county/unit.
Program Organization:
- EFNEP youth groups should consist of a series of educational meetings dedicated to food and nutrition or related projects. Three or more groups will constitute a series. Changed behavior is the primary outcome of the EFNEP youth experience. Quality of program should take precedence over quantity of participants.
- Groups may be led by EFNEP paraprofessional staff but recruitment of volunteers as leaders or as support is preferred.
- To promote self-esteem, socialization, leadership, and personal development objectives, a minimum of five members per youth groups is suggested.
- Whenever appropriate, EFNEP youth should be enrolled as 4-H members in order to enhance resources and benefits. Enrollment as 4-H club members should follow county and state 4-H guidelines where they exceed EFNEP minimums.
- EFNEP youth enrollment should be in parity with county affirmative action statistics. Meeting sites should be accessible to the target population and meet ADA standards.
- A good source for working with volunteers is the 4-H/Youth Development Policy and Resource Manual. Address your concerns to your youth development agent.
Curriculum:
State approved food/nutrition and related projects must be the cornerstone of the EFNEP youth development program. Projects led by volunteers, under the direction of the youth development coordinator and/or NEA, can serve to continue the youth development effort. Project options must be approved by the supervising agent in consultation with the state EFNEP program manager.
Other allowable projects may include:
- Gardening - edible
- Food preservation
- Eating For A Better Start
- Health and fitness - as related to nutrition
- Segments of Kids and Cash, Talking with TJ, self-esteem, leadership, Learn and Earn, Rent Event
- On My Own and OK, babysitting, and You Too may be used to enhance foods and nutrition materials.
Program Operation:
EFNEP staff receives compensation (wage, work time, travel expenses) while conducting the youth program. Volunteers do not receive compensation.
Contact for questions
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