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Step 1 - Identifying Issues
Texas AgriLife Extension Service Issues Puzzle
PIECES OF
THE PUZZLE
Texas
Community Futures Forum -
Texas Community Futures
Forum (TCFF) is Texas AgriLife Extension Service’s listening
to the people of Texas step. It provides an avenue to hear from all types
of clientele and people within a county. It is designed to provide an
opportunity for everyone in a county to come together and discuss issues
and problems they are facing.
Each county held
a County TCFF Meeting. This was a one-night event that brought together
other agency representatives and county residents to identify and prioritize
issues within the county. Extension faculty served as facilitators for
these meetings. Every Extension employee received six hours of face-to-face
training on the TCFF process and facilitation skills in the fall of 2003
before the county TCFF.
The agenda for the
county TCFF was as follows. It started with the facilitator issuing a
charge to the participants and a discussion on the importance of them
being there. After this discussion, participants were split into smaller
groups to discuss and prioritize issues. Once the small groups completed
their tasks, all small groups were brought back together in a large group.
During the large group discussion, final voting for prioritized issues
took place. To wrap up the evening, the facilitators expressed their appreciation
to the participants and talked about how these issues will help shape
the educational programming plan for the next few years. (http://futuresforum.tamu.edu)
Base
Programs
Our base programs of Agricultural & Natural Resources, Family
& Consumer Sciences, 4-H & Youth Development, and Community Development
are the foundation of our agency. Most programs developed on issues are
fall into one or a combination of these program areas. These areas are
where are subject matter competency fall.
County
Committees
Grassroots involvement has helped Extension maintain relevance
with clientele for many decades. In order for us to be most efficient
at developing and implementing quality educational programs, it is imperative
that we partner with our community leaders in the areas of Agricultural
and Natural Resources, Family and Consumer Sciences, 4-H and Youth Development,
and Community & Economic Development.
Core
Principles for Program Area Committee / Youth Boards
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Texas AgriLife Extension Service has a rich history of providing high quality,
outreach educational programs and service to the people of Texas through
the grassroots involvement of local residents in advisory committees,
known as Extension Program Area Committees. These provide input and
direction to County Extension Agent programming efforts.
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Program Area Committees have helped Texas AgriLife Extension Service in rapidly
responding to critical needs and issues.
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Program Area Committees have been instrumental to ensure Texas AgriLife Extension Service maintains relevance in our program areas.
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Each County Extension Agents should have a minimum of one program area
committee to help plan, implement, and evaluate educational programs.
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Proper utilization of volunteers through Program Area Committees helps
the County Extension Agent be more effective in all educational efforts
leading to greater impact.
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A group of individuals naturally generate more ideas and discussion
than one person.
Program Area Committees
need to be selected and organized to function differently depending on
the program direction. For new program needs in which limited or no program
resources are available the following the six steps below apply more directly.
In addition, if the
County Extension Agent is implementing a banner program then it is important
to understand that there is a variation of tasks for a committee. For
example, the Program Area Committee should not be as involved in the program
design and evaluation tasks because the banner program has these tasks
already included in the banner program design. In summary, when Banner
programs are being implemented where Program Area Committees are in place,
the need for a 'task force” or coalition still exists if that is
part of the Banner program design. In such cases, the Program Area Committee
may help in identifying marketing strategies for audience participation,
and provide support for implementing the program.
Nevertheless, the
following six tasks of a Program Area Committee are outlined to assist
in the program development process. Obviously, the execution of each task
will depend on the program plan of the County Extension Agent. In other
words, if the County Extension Agent is using a banner program with clientele,
then the Program Area Committee would not be as involved in the program
design, but may be more involved in the implementation of the program.
- Assist the County
Extension Agent with the planning phase of programming.
- Assist the County
Extension Agent with the implementation phase of programming.
- Assist the County
Extension Agent with the evaluation phase of programming.
- Assist the County
Extension Agent with the interpretation phase of programming.
- Assist the County
Extension Agent with committee membership rotation to insure optimum
representation and diversity.
- Utilize the best
management practices for the management of external support funds in
accordance with the Texas A&M University System and Texas AgriLife Extension Service.
Emerging
Issues
Issues can change
daily. This is the curve ball of our work. Sometimes Mother Nature can
change the focus of our agricultural and natural resource program priorities
over night. As an agency of change, we have to be sufficiently flexible
to meet the needs of our counties and change the direction of our programming
if needed.
Specialists
Extension specialists bring issues that have surfaced through
their association meetings and communication with colleagues. Also, they
typically are most equipped to forecast emerging issues and work closely
with commodity/industries and bring their ideas to the forefront as well.
Elected
Officials
As a result of Texas AgriLife Extension Service being funded by federal,
state, and counties, it is imperative that we listen closely to our elected
officials and include them in our strategic planning process. Their ideas
that surface from their constituents is another way local issues are presented
and need to be addressed.
Commodity
/ Industry Groups
Texas AgriLife Extension Service has rich tradition and strong bonds
with many other organizational groups. Round table discussions frequently
happen with stakeholders and leaders of these commodity / industry groups.
In addition, these groups and Texas AgriLife Extension Service share the same
and similar groups of people that utilize our services. Some of the most
recognized programs in the agency are partnerships and collaborations
with Texas AgriLife Extension Service and commodity, industry, or subject matter
specific groups.
State
and Federal Mandates
As a direct result of funding priorities, sometimes federal and
state monies are provided to help address an issue. Expanded Nutrition
and Better Living for Texans are examples where funding is provided to
address a special need and targeted audience.
Find
the Overlap
The
key is to study the issues that surface from these different areas,
allowing the educational programmer to determine the significance
of the issue, resources that are available to address the issue, and
determine the issues that need significant educational programming
in order to answer. This should be done by talking with Regional Program
Directors, County Extension Agents, and Extension Specialists. |
| Planning |
Step 1 - Identifying Issues
Step 2 - Describing the Situation
Step 3 - Identifying the Target Audience
Step 4 - Specifying Intended Outcomes
Step 5 - Developing an Educational Design
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| Implementation |
Step 6 - Program Delivery
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| Results |
Step 7 - Measuring Outcomes
Step 8 - Interpreting Results
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For
more information on Program Development please contact Chris
Boleman. |
