Ohio Military Kids

IMPACT. 1: Military youth live in every county in Ohio. Since 9/11, thousands of military youth have experienced a parent's deployment; many have experienced it multiple times. -- 2. Parents and children alike state that the opportunity to meet others who share the experience of being in a military family is what they like best about participating in OMK programs. -- 3. Military teens' involvement has created a desire to give back, manifested in their service as camp counselors and teen leaders. This increased leadership role further contributes to their skill development and growth.OSU PARTNERS: College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences; OSU Extension; 4-H Youth DevelopmentCOMMUNITY PARTNERS: Ohio National Guard; Wright-Patterson Air Force Base USO of Central and Southern Ohio Ohio 4-H Foundation; Additional organizations throughout OhioPRIMARY CONTACT: Theresa Ferrari ([email protected])As part of the Ohio 4-H program, Ohio Military Kids supports youth of military families. Using a variety of strategies, OMK programs aim to develop youth who are resilient when confronted with the challenges of military life and grow from their experiences. Programs include youth and teen camps, family camps, and 4-H clubs at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. OMK works with many community partners around the state to enhance efforts to support military youth

Message from the \u3ci\u3eJournal of Extension\u3c/i\u3e Editorial Committee

This editorial addresses upcoming changes to the Journal of Extension. These changes are intended to facilitate more efficient editorial processes and continued enhancement of the scholarly and editorial strengths of the journal. The new editorial model will involve associate editors who will be an integral part of the manuscript review process. In addition, a new publishing arrangement with Clemson University Press will be effective January 1, 2021. The commitment to publishing a high-quality journal and supporting author development remains a priority

Considerations for Creating Successful Camps for Military Families

Experiences of wartime deployment affect the entire family system. Due to the increasing popularity of camping with the military youth audience, the residential camp format has been extended to reach the entire family. Based on the experiences in our state for the past 6 years, we believe we have found a format that works well in meeting the needs of military families. This article discusses situations faced by military families experiencing deployment, presents a rationale for conducting camps for military families, and summarizes Ohio\u27s experience conducting such camps, including staffing, types of program activities, and evaluation

Partnering to Cultivate Healthy Eating Fanatics

According to the data from County Health Rankings and Roadmaps[2], Brown County ranks 69th in both health outcomes and health factors. Specifically, Brown County has high levels of adult and child obesity [2, 9]. Fruit and vegetable consumption is below recommended levels [1]. Such statistics indicate a need for Extension programs to promote healthy eating behaviors. Researchers and practitioners recommend the use of engaging and interactive techniques, including hands-on experience with food, to teach about healthy eating behaviors [3, 5]. Research has shown that children who participated in cooking classes increased their consumption of fruits, vegetables, and dietary fiber; demonstrated a greater willingness to try new foods, and developed increased confidence in the ability to prepare foods [6, 8]. Nutrition knowledge and skills related to healthy eating have been linked with making better food choices and promoting dietary change [4, 10]. Furthermore, people who prepare their own food are more likely to meet dietary recommendations [7]. However, there is an increase in meals consumed away from home and a decline in cooking skills [10]. C.H.E.F. (Cultivating Healthy Eating Fanatics) was a food and nutrition day camp piloted in Brown County in 2017. C.H.E.F. aligns with the national 4-H mission mandate of healthy living and also the OSU Extension impact area of health and wellness. The objectives were for participants to: learn proper food handling and preparation, including food safety; plan a daily menu following MyPlate; create a budget for a meal; properly set a table; plan, budget, shop for, prepare and serve a meal; and become aware of the Ohio 4-H food and nutrition project offerings and the requirements to complete the project through county and state judging. The target audience for C.H.E.F. was 4-H members in Brown County age 9 and older. Older youth (age 14+) who were involved in foods projects participated in the hands-on activities and also assisted with teaching some components of the program. One of the most original aspects of the program was the start-to-finish aspect of meal planning, shopping, and food preparation. The participants developed a meal plan, created a shopping list, took a field trip to the grocery store to purchase their items, and returned to the kitchen to cook their meal. Youth were tasked to cook a meal for a family of four using $15, which is based on the USDA guidelines for a moderate meal plan. They were also expected to meet the MyPlate guidelines. The lead presenter for this poster is the Extension educator, 4-H youth development, who wrote the initial grant, obtained IRB approval to use the evaluation data, coordinated the event, including developing community partnerships, and taught 45 percent of the overall program.AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Christy Clary, Educator, The Ohio State University Extension, Brown County, [email protected] (Corresponding Author); Theresa Ferrari, Extension Specialist, The Ohio State University Extension.Researchers and practitioners recommend use of engaging and interactive techniques, including hands-on experience with food, to teach about healthy eating behaviors. C.H.E.F. (Cultivating Healthy Eating Fanatics) was a food and nutrition day camp piloted in Brown County in 2017. C.H.E.F. used hands-on experience with menu planning, food budgeting, food shopping, and food preparation to teach about healthful eating behaviors and encourage participation in 4-H food and nutrition projects. Through this event, the participants were better prepared to make good food choices and prepare healthy meals Conference participants will learn about the overall design of C.H.E.F. day camp, goals and objectives of the event, planning considerations, funding, community partnerships developed, topics covered, and evaluation data from the inaugural event

Ohio 4-H HealtH Heroes

IMPACT. 1: Teen participants drink more water, drink less soda, eat more fruits and vegetables, and eat less junk food because of their involvement. They increased their ability to help others and improved their ability to work as a team member and teach others. -- 2. Teens made healthy choices available at the Lodi Family Center by offering meals with fresh fruits and vegetables during their summer program. They decreased pop consumption by 600% over the previous year. -- 3. Ten teens attended the National Youth Summit on Healthy Living in Washington, DC. They received 3 mini-grants for their projects: (1) create a display about prescription medications, (2) offer the 4th H for Health Challenge, and (3) grow county-level 4-H healthy living programs.OSU PARTNERS: OSU Extension; Ohio 4-H Youth Development Family and Consumer Sciences; OSU Extension faculty and staff throughout OhioCOMMUNITY PARTNERS: Lodi Family Center; National 4-H Council; Walmart Foundation; Ohio 4-H Foundation; American Dairy Association Mideast; Robert Wood Johnson FoundationPRIMARY CONTACT: Theresa Ferrari ([email protected]); Carol Smathers ([email protected])"I pledge…my health to better living" is a foundation of the 4-H pledge. To expand Ohio 4-H's healthy living programs, teens are trained to serve as 4-H healthy living advocates. They help educate younger youth and peers about health issues in 4-H clubs and county fairs, camps, and after-school programs. They take part in multiple opportunities to develop action plans, address needs in economically diverse communities, and plan and lead a statewide health teen summit

Part of the Solution: Engaging Youth in Addressing Ohio's Opioid Crisis

Ohio is facing an alarming public health crisis related to opioid overdose deaths. In 2016, 4,050 Ohioans died of an unintentional drug overdose [6,7,8]. The 2016 overdose toll is 33 percent greater than 2015, and 2017 is on target to outpace 2016 [10]. OSU Extension is well-positioned to raise awareness about and foster collaborative efforts to address the opioid crisis, including engaging teens in prevention efforts that can help send messages of hope to Ohioans. In the past, prevention efforts often focused on discouraging single behaviors, such as substance abuse or delinquency [2]. However, research suggests using a comprehensive approach that blends principles of positive youth development (PYD), risk and resilience, and prevention science [2,3]. The PYD approach promotes positive outcomes by engaging youth in productive ways, recognizing strengths, providing leadership opportunities, and building positive relationships [12,16]. It also fosters the five Cs: competence, confidence, connection, character, and caring [4,5]. Young people who develop the five Cs are less likely to engage in high-risk behaviors and more likely to do well in school, be civically engaged and value diversity [4,5,13]. Further, youth-led prevention research suggests the value in youth hearing directly from their peers about how to deal with peer pressure and other issues [15]. Youth-led prevention is a strategy recommended by the Ohio Joint Study Committee on Drug Use Prevention Education [9]. Teens can be effective advocates for health [1,11]. OSU Extension launched a state-level 4-H Healthy Living Advocate (HLA) program in 2015-2016 [14]. Teen participants developed action plans, taught peers and younger youth, advocated for healthier choices, and helped plan a statewide teen health summit. In 2017, 4-H HLAs created action plans with goals of raising awareness among Ohioans about the extent of the opioid problem in Ohio, who is affected by opioid abuse, and the actions people can take to be a part of the solution. They created the concept of a "medicine cabinet display" to prompt people to learn about medications they may have and to recognize that anyone can be affected by opioid misuse. The university will demonstrate a commitment to create change by hosting "Hope for Ohio: A Teen Forum on the Opioid Crisis" on Dec. 2, 2017. This is one of the first major events involving Ohio's youth as contributors to turning the crisis around. Key organizations that have partnered with Ohio State to plan this event and engage participants from underrepresented populations in both urban and rural communities include Ohio Farm Bureau, FFA, the Prevention Action Alliance and Youth to Youth International. Outcomes and impacts from the forum will be shared. This session is intended for professionals who work with youth. The presenters co-direct the 4-H HLA program, provide state-level presentations about addressing the opioid crisis, and lead numerous community-engaged health promotion projects.AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Carol Smathers, Assistant Professor and Field Specialist in Youth Nutrition and Wellness, The Ohio State University Extension, [email protected] (Corresponding Author); Theresa Ferrari, Associate Professor and Extension Specialist in 4-H Youth Development, The Ohio State University Extension.Ohio is facing an alarming public health crisis related to opioid overdose deaths. Creating a stronger future will involve engaging youth to be part of the solution. Principles of positive youth development and prevention science can guide our efforts to address this issue. Learn about the mechanisms of positive youth development and current program opportunities, available curricula and innovative resources – including the Medicine Cabinet Display – for raising awareness about opioid abuse. Learn ways to engage youth in promoting healthier behaviors and environments, especially related to drug abuse prevention. Also learn about benefits, challenges, strategies for ongoing engagement, and enhanced impacts realized by convening conversations with partner organizations through a teen forum on the opioid crisis