Creating Inclusive 4H Youth Development Through Workforce Training
Project Description:
The 4-H innovative project targets youth with disabilities in culturally and racially diverse populations. This project aims to include intentional outreach to communities from socioeconomic, racial, ethnic, linguistic, and cultural backgrounds including immigrant communities to better understand their needs regarding youth with disabilities participating in 4-H programs. It also focuses on recruiting these youth into 4-H clubs and teach 4-H volunteers and staff about inclusive practices. 4-H volunteers and staff will be taught person-centered practices as a method to engage youth with disabilities in 4-H and workforce training. This project engages service providers who deliver services to people with disabilities to help 4-H youth explore careers in the disability field, thus serving as a workforce pipeline.
This unique project uses an already existing, generic youth development program to 1) include youth with disabilities from diverse backgrounds and 2) teach and mentor all 4-H youth about careers in the disability field. It provides a two-fold outcome using existing community programs instead of segregated or disability specific programs. The more we can include children with disabilities in programs that all youth are able to attend, the more likely they are to build lasting social connections, have opportunities for leadership development and exposure to various jobs and careers through this national network of 4-H programs. Additionally, creating a replicable model of inclusion and disability career information into these programs has the potential to change attitudes and opportunities for 66,000 4-H youth in Minnesota to consider working in the field of disability services and supports.
Core Function(s):
Continuing Education/Community Training
Area of Emphasis
Recreation-Related Activities, Other - Cultural Diversity
Target Audience:
Professionals and Para-Professionals, Children/Adolescents with Disabilities/SHCN
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Geographic Areas, Rural/Remote
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
State
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
