Extension Washington County Monthly Program Highlights
November 2021
Extension Educator Highlights
Human Development and Relationships
Carol Bralich, Human Development & Relationships Educator
A series of e-mail communications for community partners where we provide information related to parenting, relationships, family caregiving, finances, and well-being so that they can share the latest resources with their clients. The purpose of this effort is to provide county residents with resources to improve parenting skills, support their family caregiving role, and access tools to improve their financial skills and their personal well-being.
A series of seminars for parents, Triple P Positive Parenting Program, where they learned positive parenting skills to increase their child’s confidence, resilience, and social skills so they can become healthy and competent adults.
A training, Encouraging Financial Conversations, for social workers, home visitors and community agency staff where they learn about financial competency skills. The goal of this effort is to build their knowledge and confidence when engaging clients in financial conversations.
An online financial self-study program, Money Matters, where participants learned financial capability skills about spending plans, credit, and paying bills on time. This effort is designed to improve the success of participants in maintaining timely payments so they have transportation to access employment and improve their credit score.
Development of an online, interactive financial curriculum module, where adults in relationships learn skills and strategies to effectively communicate about money.
Development of financial planning curriculum for farmers and agribusiness professionals. This effort was designed to increase financial decision-making capacity and reduce stress levels.
Planning for early learning professional development, with Registry credit, for child care providers. The goal of the workshops is to help early childhood professionals understand the importance of using trauma-informed care practices in their classrooms so they can better support and engage children in managing their emotions.
Development of a program for parents where they learn strategies to engage family members in conversations about technology. The goal of this program is to provide parents tools to make developmentally appropriate decisions that coincide with their family’s values.
Postive Youth DevelopmentRon Jakubisin Positive Youth Development Educator
A monthly board meeting (“Germantown Youth Futures”) for Germantown key stakeholders where we collaboratively plan year-round positive youth activities that promote positive peer norms, AOD prevention messaging, and adult/youth connections.
A monthly coalition meeting (Elevate’s Heroin Task Force and Prevention Committee) where Extension provides guidance in outcome-based prevention strategies to this group of youth-serving organizations that make up the committee. The goal is to support them as they create year-round planning and promotion of AODA prevention strategies for youth.
A series of meetings with Germantown’s Youth Futures Youth Committee where students learn leadership skills in order to design, plan and deliver prevention activities to their middle and high school peers.
Educator coordinated (in partnership with Fair Park School Admin), and presented at Fair Park Elementary School’s 4th-grade annual retreat at Lac Lawrann on 10/21. This annual event helps 4th-grade students understand how to lead in a manner that strengthens Fair Park school culture. 75 students attended along with volunteers made up of parents, students from West Bend HS, and members of Wash Co. Volunteer Center.
The Executive Director of NAMI Washington County, a local nonprofit, contacted Paul to provide board development training to the organization’s board. In 2020, Paul developed a nonprofit board development training in response to requests from several nonprofits and taught the training several times. After a preplanning meeting with NAMI’s Executive Director and Board President, the workshop curriculum was adapted to meet the needs identified by NAMI leadership.
Because of this contact, Paul taught a 1.5-hour workshop to eight board and staff members. Content included an overview of the non-profit sector in Wisconsin, board member roles and responsibilities, and tools for high functioning boards. Additionally, Paul facilitated a process that allowed participants to reflect on what they learned and identify next steps of implementing strategies to strengthen board operations.
Through evaluation, 100% of participants agreed that they gained knowledge on board roles and responsibilities, 88% gained knowledge on tools to use for high functioning boards, and 100% agreed that the group reflection activity increased their ability to identify next steps for future implementation. Additionally, 100% evaluated the presentation as good or excellent. One participant commented, “Paul always does a great job of giving information with opportunity for group discussion.” Another commented that Paul “did a great job getting us started to get more organized.”
A consultation with a part-time farmer, where farmland leasing, expansion and succession were discussed based on their goals and resources available. This effort is designed to explore what it would take to help the farmer transition to full time farming and be able to support their family.
A worksheet for farmers and agribusiness professionals where they learned about SWOT analysis and strategy identification. This effort was designed to encourage farmers to identify their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in order to identify strategies to improve farm viability and decrease stress.
Development of a module on determining and defining a mission, vision and values for farmers and agribusiness professionals. This effort was designed to encourage farmers to establish their values and use them to make decisions and craft their future.
Development of financial planning curriculum for farmers and agribusiness professionals. This effort was designed to increase financial decision-making capacity and reduce stress levels.
Five sections of an online Lab component for the 2021 Foundation in Horticulture (FIH) course participants were held where participants applied what they learned from the FIH course through interactive activities. This effort is designed to encourage best horticultural practices in Wisconsin for better environmental outcomes.
