To empower youth, professionals should share information, create autonomy through boundaries, and examine their role by focusing on management of youth development rather than event coordination. (SK)

A survey of 97 Indiana 4-H/youth development educators and interviews with staff and volunteer board members indicated that volunteers believe in core 4-H values, recommend reaching more and different youth, and believe that the rural image inhibits progress. Staff interactions with volunteers, lack of parental involvement, group organization and…

Describes the educational program developed by Pennsylvania State University for community health services decision makers and offers suggestions for others in developing similar programs. (MF)

Discusses the importance of constructing a good evaluation tool. (JOW)

Discusses a survey that examined extension's image, clientele, performance, and support. Found that WHO does the evaluation is as important as WHAT is being evaluated because of stereotypes of extension programs and personnel. (JOW)

Proposes a model in which he interrelates research and theories to conceptualize motivational processes occurring within each of three levels (organization, group integration, and personal) common to Extension programming. (Editor)

Extension's current administrative techniques are based on the assumptions of classical management from the early 20th century. They are fundamentally flawed and inappropriate for the contemporary workplace. (SK)

A juried textile exhibition for 4-H youth in Nebraska was evaluated by a survey of 22 youth and 22 parents. Both groups indicated that self-confidence and self-esteem were increased through participation. (SK)

To raise public awareness about lead poison hazards associated with home repair/remodeling, literature was distributed and training for store employees conducted in large retail home centers. Although store managers were supportive, their hectic work situation made training difficult. Following outreach in 22 of 23 stores, postcards returned by…

Responses from 81 percent of 200 adults over 50 surveyed showed that 83 volunteered in youth development organizations and 80 in adult organizations. Both groups were motivated by achievement and affiliation, and they preferred purposive incentives. (SK)

In the opinion of eight rural family-service consultants, positive community-based youth experiences are important; they try to connect youth with activities based on interests and needs and to follow up to ensure participation. Barriers included cost and transportation. Better information about available programs and volunteers to support and…

Liability shields that can be incorporated into an Extension risk management program include permission slips, informed consent forms, waivers and releases, and indemnification agreements. Risk identification should be part of youth program planning; communication with parents is essential; the best shields are most specific; and legal counsel…

Working poor families need information about available federal, state, and community-level support. Strategies for Extension staff include information outreach for the working poor, information outreach for employers, information about education and training, public awareness campaigns, and collaborations for building community capacity. (Contains…

Extension educators in Fairfield, California, worked with nontraditional clientele to develop a training program to encourage citizen participation. The analytical problem-solving model and interactive group processes helped city government staff eager to deal with the public in a proactive manner. (JOW)

Four articles are included: (1) a study that identified barriers to effective extension programing for at-risk youth; (2) Project LEAD, which is designed to prevent delinquency by positively affecting attitudes of youth at risk; (3) Illinois extension's approach to drug education; and (4) Ohio's Tobacco Risk Awareness Program. (JOW)