Extension Washington County Monthly Program Highlights
December 2021
Extension Educator Highlights
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.
Planning for a Kindness Day Retreat for 4th-grade students in collaboration with Washington County Elementary School Counselors. This effort will result in Jackson Elementary School’s annual event which helps 4th-grade students understand how to lead in a manner that strengthens Jackson’s school culture.
Hosted and sponsored by the West Bend Community Foundation (WBCF) and the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, On the Table: Washington County is an opportunity for participants to come together for conversation regarding important issues facing their communities.
A member of the WBCF board contacted Paul to assist with the planning and implementation of the 2021 event. Paul previously assisted with similar events in 2018 and 2019. In 2021, Paul trained table facilitators, facilitated large-group priority sharing during the event, compiled event notes, evaluated the event, and developed a report summarizing key concepts from the participant table conversations. Approximately 80 community members participated and 70 completed an event evaluation. 98% of participants agreed that the topics identified were important for the community to discuss, 94% agreed that their table conversation identified new ideas that can be put into action regarding the issue discussed, and 97% rated the event as good or excellent. One participant commented, “the format of the event was excellent. I felt it was relevant and productive. Our group at the table was perfect! Kudos to whoever selected the topics and the tables.” Another commented, “Terrific event, the discussion was robust and informative. Very well run event!”
After the event, the WBCF forwarded the report that Paul created to all participants. Additionally, participants received information on a WBCF grant application process to support strategies developed during the event. These grants amounts will range from $5,000 to $10,000 in total.
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 presentation on agricultural leasing negotiation strategies for farmers and agribusiness professionals. This effort was designed to provide tools and considerations to inform a resilient and robust agreement that serves both parties.
Development of a series of worksheets on determining and defining a mission and vision statement for farmers and agribusiness professionals. This effort was designed to encourage farmers to define where they are going and use that 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.
Human Development and Relationships
Carol Bralich, Human Development & Relationships Educator
Money Matters is an online self-study Extension financial program that is available to anyone in the community statewide and can be designed as a built in component with an existing or new agency program. The program coordinator at Forward Careers at Workforce Development Center contacted Carol searching for a financial education program that would fulfill the educational requirement for the Work ‘N Wheels vehicle loan program implemented in fall 2020 for Washington, Ozaukee, and Waukesha residents. Due to the pandemic, an online program best met the needs of the applicants.
Carol developed a specific program description, participant directions, and organization procedures for Work 'N Wheels participants. Participants complete the required module quizzes: Your Financial Strengths, Making a Spending Plan, Credit Scores and Credit Reports, and When You Can’t Pay Your Bills. In addition, a financial coaching session provides an opportunity for the participant to plan financial goals and action steps, ask questions from the online modules and learn more about local resources. Participants receive a certificate of completion. After one year of the program, November 2020 - October 2021, there have been 22 individuals who have completed the Money Matters Program as the financial educational component of the Work N Wheels vehicle loan program of which 19 received a 0% interest loan to purchase a vehicle.
