Progress 09/01/15 to 08/31/19
Outputs
Target Audience:The Volunteer in Urban Programs Leadership Centers (VIPLCs) is located in six of the ACES nine Urban Centers: (Colbert/Lauderdale, Madison/Limestone, Mobile, Morgan/Lawrence, Montgomery/Elmore/Autauga, and Tuscaloosa). The target audience served was underserved youth ages 9-18 from urban areas, who are at risk of developing health issues associated with obesity,participated in Extension programs such as Technology Enhancing Exercising Nutrition (TEEN), Teens Making Impact (TMI) and Parent Child Reading and Echancement Progra (PCREP).Youthwere delivered "teen" building, nutrition and fitness programs by volunteer managers (urban agents) and volunteers. The volunteers were provided additional program training workshops on nutrition, classroom management, teaching methods, leadership skills, community service projects, stress management, cooperative extension mission and goals and volunteer roles at the Volunteer Leaders Training Conference. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Professional trainings have been conducted with urban agents, specialists, and project manager on topics such as recruiting, training and retaining, and maintaining a database. The forty-one (41)volunteers were provided program training and certification on the following: Teambuilding, CPR, Confilct Resolution, Diversity and Paying it Forward, Leadership, and Nutrition. Results from the Leadership Training Conference indicated: 1) 68% of volunteers increased knowledge in all topic areas:Teambuilding, CPR, Confilct Resolution, Diversity and Paying it Forward, Leadership, and Nutrition 2) 14% had priorknowledge in CPR and 11% in Diversity/Paying it Forward and Nutrition and Physical Activity. Some volunteers indicated the the information had changed since their certifications. 3) trainings were extremely useful- 96% CPR,68% Nutrition and 64% Conflict Resoultion and Diversity and Paying it Forward 4) 64% voluteers indicated they will utilize the information within the communities 5) the overall conferene was very good (82%) How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The results will be submitted to ACES annual reporting system for local, state and regional database. The results of the VIP Leadership Centers project were presented at the following: February 18, 2019Town Hall Meeting, Huntsville, AL, March 28, 2019 Nutrition Workshop, Huntsville, AL, April 6, 2019 AAMU Day of Service, Huntsville, AL,April 20, 2019 Earth Day, Huntsville, AL,Spring 2019 Parent Child Reading Enhancement Program, Huntsville, AL, May 3-5, 2019 Volunteer In Urban Program Conference, Columbiana, AL, June 22, 2019 PCREP Family Fun Day, Huntsville, AL, May 20-24, 2019National Urban Extension Leaders (NUEL) Conference, Seattle, WA,July 21-23, 2019 4-H Youth Futures College Tour, Statewide, August 22, 2019 Benefits of Becoming a VIP, Lunch & Learn Series, Normal, AL, August 9, 2019 AAMU Freshman Move In, Normal, AL,August 22-23, 2019 Rural King, Huntsville, AL, August 31, 2019National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (NEAFCS), Hershey, PA, October 17,2019 Sucessful Aging Initative 2019, Huntsville, AL What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
1) Bulid program delivery and technology capacity of the existing Urban Affairs' Volunteer in Urban Programs. The VIP Leaders Centers were established at sixurban locations:Colbert/Lauderdale, Madison/Limestone, Mobile, Morgan/Lawrence, Montgomery/Elmore/Autauga, and Tuscaloosa. CreatedQR codes toaccess modules, applications, service log, sign-in, and overall program evaluation Developed an electronic signage for participants to signup. Conference evaluations were collected using clicker technology. E-learningmodules were developed and used by volunteers. 2) Increase the knowledge and skills of volunteer managers in the areas of recruitment, enrollment, training and retention. This program increased the knowledge and skills of twenty-one (21) volunteer managers. These managers were trained on methods to recurit volunteers, the electronic enrollment and applications, e-learning modules and program implementation and how to retain volunteers. 3) Develop a network of certified and specialized skilled community and student volunteers. The number of volunteers certified for 2019 was forty-one (41). The total number of volunteers certified from 2015-2019 was 144. The total number of teen county volunteers and AAMU students was 330. 4) Develop a website for volunteer applications, sign-up, and completion of educational modules for certifications. QR codes were developed for the program, which gavevoluteers a more direct method to access the web-based applicaiton, sign-up, sign-inand modules. Website:https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/business-community-products-programs-urban/vip-volunteer-in-urban-programs/ Digital Brochure:https://www.aces.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/VIP_Brochure_Digital.pdf
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Urban ALL STARS: Advancing Leadership and Learning by Strengthening Teens and Adults with Resources for Success! Successful urban youth programs are important for building positive youth development, mentoring future leaders and training specialized skilled adult volunteers to strengthen urban communities. The panel will introduce Alabama and Virginia Cooperative Extensions evidence-based programs strategies, resources and best practices implemented throughout urban metro cities. Topics include Volunteer in Urban Programs(VIP) Leadership Centers, nutrition, physical activity and civic engagement. Methods used in recruiting
and retaining program participants included: volunteer recruitment, technology (exergames and social media), focus groups, service learning (high school and college volunteers), college and career tours and evaluations (response systems). Partnerships with youth servicing agencies, faith-based organizations, and program advisory boards are expanded throughout the communities to ensure visibility, collaborations and sustainability. These programs have impacted teens and adults to choose healthy living options, enhance leadership skills, engage in community service projects and retain volunteers for program success. Upon completion of the
presentation, participants will become ALL STAR MVPs to strengthen their urban communities with educational resources.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Technology Enhancing Exercise and Nutrition Track: Technology and Social Media Presenter(s): Kimberly Burgess-Neloms, Tamara Warren, Darlene Minniefield, Chante Myles, A.Renee' Heard, Marchale Burton, Nkenge Hyter, Apriell Burgess, Pamela Irby, and Danielle Rudolph Technology Enhancing Exercise and Nutrition (TEEN) and Volunteers in Urban Programs (VIP) collaboratively engage teenagers in healthier eating and exercise through an interactive technology learning environment reducing obesity risk.
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Progress 09/01/17 to 08/31/18
Outputs
Target Audience:The Volunteer in Urban Programs Leadership Centers (VIPLCs) are located in six of the ACES nine Urban Centers:(Colbert/Lauderdale, Madison/Limestone, Morgan/Lawrence, Montgomery/Elmore/Autauga, and Tuscaloosa). The target audience served was underserved youth ages 9-18 from urban areas, who are at risk of developing health issues associated with obesity. These youth were delivered "teen" building, nutrition and fitness programs by volunteer managers (urban agents) and volunteers. The volunteers were provided additional program training workshops on nutrition, classroom management, teaching methods, leadership skills, community service projects, stress management, cooperative extension mission and goals and volunteer roles at the Volunteer Leaders Training Conference. Changes/Problems:None What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Professional Training have been conducted with urban agents, specialists, and project manager on topics such as recruiting, training and retaining, and maintaining a database. The twenty volunteers were provided program training on the following topics: nutrition, leadership skills, engaging partners, community service projects, cooperative extension mission and goals and volunteer roles at the Volunteer Leaders Training Conference. Results from the Leadership Training Conference, volunteers' knowledge increased for the following Learning Modules: 93% for ACES county, history, programs, mission and vision; 92% for volunteer role and leadership skills 97% for communication skills 79% for youth behaviors 95% for adult learning 95% for time management 97% for teamwork 95% for cultural awareness Volunteers stated making a to-do list help with organizational techniques for time management (24%) conflict resolution will help mitigate issues and challenges are they arise (76%) teamwork and collaboration will open their minds up for change and being creative with alternative plans or outcomes (38%) How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Plans are underway to submit information to annual reporting system for local, state and regional database. The results of the VIP Leadership Center project were presented at the following: February 14-15,2018 at the JCEP Leadership Conference; Southern & 1890s Urban Extension Conference August 13-15, 2018 Chattanooga, Tennessee , The 4th annual Project Director (PD) Meeting for the 1890 Institution Teaching, Research and Extension Capacity Building Grants (CBG) Program July 10-11, 2018, in Washington, DC; 2018 Successful Aging Initiative 10/18/2018, Huntsville, Alabama; Earth Day event with AAMU Volunteers April 14, 2018; VIP Open House, 1/25/2018 AAMU campus, Taste of Montgomery County Extension Program June 29, 2018-Montgomery County, Alabama; VIP Health Awareness Programs. The project information and results have been used as marketing and recruitment exhibits at ACES Successful Aging Initiative (SAI) Conference, Alabama A&M University's Day of Service, Parents Children Reading Education Program (PCREP) Family Fun Day, NEAFCS State Meeting, Urban Extension Teen and Tweens(TNT) Empowerment Conference and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Community Impact Day. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The next phase is to continue volunteer enrollment of AAMU students, high school students and community volunteers, provide phase III training for volunteers and volunteer managers, complete community service projects, collect volunteers' evaluations, program evaluations and impact data, analyze and report data and implement the Volunteer Leaders Training Conference.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
1) Build program delivery and technology capacity of the existing Urban Affairs' Volunteer In Urban Programs. The VIP Leaders Centers program has been established at Alabama A&M University-VIP center. The VIP learning modules have been completed to certify specialized skilled volunteers. QR codes and electronic signage have been developed for volunteers' signup and evaluation of program effectiveness. 2) Increase the knowledge and skills of volunteer managers in the areas of recruitment, enrollment, training and retention. Additional training workshops were provided to increase volunteer managers (Agents) knowledge and skills of recruiting, training, enrollment and retaining volunteers. Over 150 volunteers and Alabama A&M University students have been recruited and trained to implement community service projects and youth programs such as Technology Enhancing Exercise and Nutrition (TEEN), Teen Making an Impact (TMI), and CHAMPION Youth. 3) Develop a network of certified and specialized skilled community and student volunteers. Implemented a VIP Leaders Training Conference and Community Service Event with the local Huntsville North Precinct Police Department. The twenty volunteers and managers were provided program training workshops on nutrition, leadership skills, engaging partners, community service projects, cooperative extension mission and goals and volunteer roles. 4)Provide opportunities for AAMU students to volunteer with Urban Affairs. Alabama A&M University students participated in various Urban Cooperative Extension events such as: Extension Earth Day Celebration by implementing nutrition activities, MyPlate experiments, and physical activities; Parent and Child Reading Enhancement Program(PCREP) by providing hands-on learning techniques for improving reading literacy and PCREP Fun Day; VIP Community Project at the Huntsville Police Department Community Outreach Event and Cooperative Extension Successful Aging Initiative(SAI) senior's program. 5) Develop a website for volunteer applications, sign-up, and completion of educational modules for certifications. The website is undergoing changes based on ACES new website guidelines and launching a system's new website. The volunteers completed the educational training modules, application and sign-up with the volunteer managers within the designated counties.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Volunteers are a vital asset to any organization and without volunteer support many organizations would not have resources and capabilities to sustain. The Alabama Cooperative Extension Systems Urban Affairs and New Nontraditional Programs unit (Urban Affairs) of Alabama A&M University has established a mechanism for capturing volunteers demographic information and service hours as well established partnerships through the Volunteer in Urban Programs (VIP) Leadership Centers in nine metro cities in Alabama. VIPs focus is to increase community partnerships that will contribute to increased volunteerism, meaningful community involvement, and enhanced leadership. As a result, VIP (Volunteer in Urban Programs) Leadership Centers were established to enhance the skills of volunteer managers and establish community partnerships to retain over 300 volunteers annually to assist with program outreach. Partnerships were established with community agencies such as faith based organizations, stakeholders, local schools, and universities.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
TEENs results indicated technology is an effective method to educate teenagers on nutrition, and physical activity. It has impacted teens to choose healthier food options, decrease intake of fatty foods, increase physical activity to 60 minutes daily and maintain a normal BMI range. This program was accepted in the eXtension i-Three Corps Program and the volunteer component was expanded through the 1890 Capacity Building Grant for Volunteer in Leadership Program (VIP). Teens stated the program encouraged snacks and/or meal preparation at home with family members or younger siblings afterschool and more physically active through sports, dancing,
forming walking clubs, and others. The long-term impact is to reduce childhood obesity because at inception of the TEEN program in 2013, Alabama was ranked sixth highest for childhood obesity and currently ranked ninth.
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Progress 09/01/16 to 08/31/17
Outputs
Target Audience:The Volunteer in Urban Programs Leadership Centers (VIPLCs) are located in six of the ACES nine Urban Centers: (Colbert/Lauderdale, Madison/Limestone, Morgan/Lawrence, Montgomery/Elmore/Autauga, and Tuscaloosa). The target audience served was underserved youth ages 9-18 from urban areas, who are at risk of developing health issues associated with obesity. These youth were delivered "teen" building, nutrition and fitness programs by volunteer managers (urban agents) and volunteers. The volunteers were provided additional program training workshops on nutrition, classroom management, teaching methods, leadership skills, community service projects, stress management, cooperative extension mission and goals and volunteer roles at the Volunteer Leaders Training Conference. Changes/Problems:A new project manager was hired October 2017 after the resignation of the previous manager. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Professional Trainings have been conducted with urban agents, specialists, and project manager on topics such as recruiting, training and retaining, and maintaining a database. The twenty-six volunteers were provided program training workshops on nutrition, classroom management, teaching methods, leadership skills, community service projects, stress management, cooperative extension mission and goals and volunteer roles at the Volunteer Leaders Training Conference. Majority of volunteers were ages 50-79 years old. Pre/Post assessment for before and after knowledge (1=No Knowledge, 2= Slightly Knowledgeable, 3= Somewhat Knowledgeable, 4= Knowledgeable, 5= Very Knowledgeable) changed from somewhat knowledgeable to very knowledgeable forTeaching and Learning Styles and Managing Stress and changed from knowledgeable to very knowledgeable for Building a Healthier Community, Community Servie, VIP Program and True Colors. Data was analyzed with Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). VIP Leadership Training Conference increased awareness of ACES and Urban Affairs and New Nontraditional Programs Unit; volunteers became better leaders and use the skills to improve their communities; increased knowledge of basic technical, office, and computer skills; improved knowledge of volunteer opportunities with the community. Volunteers were also trained to implement programs such as Technology Enhancing Exercise and Nutrition (TEEN), Teens Making Impact (TMI) and CHAMPION Youth. They also implemented community service projects with various organizations such as faith-based, sororities/fraternities, schools, health care faclities, and Alabama A&M University. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Plans are underway to submit information to annual reporting system for local, state and regional database. VIP Leadership Center proposal was presented in May 2017 as a workshop and poster presentation at the 2017 National Urban ExtensionConference and August 2017 as a poster presentation at the Urban Extension Summit. The project information and results have been used as marketing and recruitment exhibits at ACES Successful Aging Initative (SAI) Conference, Alabama A&M Univeristy's Day of Service, Parents Children Reading Education Program (PCREP) Family Fun Day, Fall Festival at Decatur General Hospital, NEAFCS State Meeting, Urban Extension Teen and Tweens (TNT)EmpowermentConference, Culture of Health Extension Community Fair, Extension Diaster Prepareness Fair, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Community Impact Day. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The next phase is to enroll students and community volunteers, provide phase III training for volunteers and volunteer managers, complete community service projects, launch website, collect volunteers' evaluations, program evaluations and impact data, analyze and report data and implement theVolunteer Leaders Training Conference.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The Volunteer in Urban Programs Leadership Centers (VIPLCs) will benefit communities and AAMU by encouraging community and student volunteers to take leadership in the implementation of Extension programs to underserved urban audiences. The VIPLCs objectives are to: 1) Build program delivery and technology capacity of the existing Urban Affairs' Volunteer In Urban Programs.The VIP Leaders Centers program has been established in the six designated centers. The equipment and computers have been delivered for program volunteers' training and log-in. 2) Increase the knowledge and skills of volunteer managers in the areas of recruitment, enrollment, training and retention. Training has been provided to increase the staff members' knowledge and skills of recruiting, training, enrollment and retaining volunteers. Over 40 volunteers have been recruited and trained to implement youth programs such as Technology Enhancing Exercise and Nutrition (TEEN), Teen Making an Impact (TMI), and CHAMPION Youth. 3) Develop a network of certified and specialized skilled community and student volunteers. Implemented a VIP Leaders Training Conference. The twenty- six volunteers and six volunteer managers were provided program training workshops on nutrition, classroom management, teaching methods, leadership skills, community service projects, stress management, cooperative extension mission and goals and volunteer roles. 4) Develop a website for volunteer applications, sign-up, and completion of educational modules for certifications. The website has been developed and projected to launched with the new ACES website in February 2018. The volunteers completed the application and sign-up with the volunteer managers within the designatedcounties.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Discovering and addressing innovative ways to recruit specialized skills volunteers to serve and succeed is vital for volunteer managers. In fact, organizations must find ways to motivate their volunteers to provide service hours and stay with organization. It is increasingly important to recruit specialized skills volunteers to expand Extension outreach due to the changes in programmatic shifts, decreasing budgets and the need to reach and service new urban audiences. As a result, the VIP (Volunteer in Urban Programs) Leadership Centers were specifically established to enhanced the skills of volunteers managers and certify volunteers to become comprehensive leaders in urban communities. VIP Leadership Centers benefits communities in a manner consistent with the mission of Cooperative Extension by encouraging volunteers to take leadership of the implementation of expanding Extension programs in underserved areas. Diverse recruiting methods included; contact referrals, social media, personal contacts, story sharing and connecting with service learning networks. The specialized skills volunteers used their skills to deliver educational programs to youth audience for the promotion of a healthier lifestyle thus creating healthier communities. As a result, over 40 volunteers contributed 1000 hours providing volunteer support and reaching over 800 teens.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Volunteers are a vital asset to any organization and without volunteer support many organizations would not have resources and capabilities to sustain. The Leadership VIP Institute will allow Alabama A&M Universitys Extension staff to more fully develop a structured framework for recruiting, enrolling, training and maintaining volunteer to build outreach capacity. The proposal will benefit communities in a manner consistent with the mission of Cooperative Extension by encouraging volunteers to take leadership of the implementation of expanding Extension Programs in underserved areas. Techniques and methods which have tested successfully for Extension volunteers will be taught for maximum program potential. The Leadership VIP Institute will serve as Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) Urban Affairs and New Nontraditional Program (UANNP) Units premiere volunteer outreach catalyst that will enhance and expand the role of volunteerism by certifying specialists and agents to train volunteers in developing specialized skills to serve in urban communities. The Leadership VIP Institute will aim to emphasize (1) leadership styles which optimize positive results for underserved audiences, (2) integrate leadership materials, technical assistance and active participation into result oriented approaches for volunteer training and (3) provide an on-going e-learning program equipped educational modules and volunteer resources.
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Progress 09/01/15 to 08/31/16
Outputs
Target Audience:The Volunteer in Urban Programs Leadership Centers (VIPLCs) are located in six of the ACES nine Urban Centers: (Colbert/Lauderdale, Madison/Limestone, Morgan/Lawrence, Montgomery/Elmore/Autauga, and Tuscaloosa). The target audience served was underserved youth ages 9-18 from urban areas, who are at risk of developing health issues associated with obesity. These youth were delivered "teen" building, nutrition and fitness programs by volunteer managers (urban agents) and volunteers. The volunteers were provided additional program training workshops on nutrition, classroom management, teaching methods, leadership skills, community service projects, stress management, cooperative extension mission and goals and volunteer roles at the Volunteer Leaders Training Conference. Changes/Problems:Ms. Patricia Henderson has retired. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Professional Trainings have been conducted with urban agents, specialists, and project manager on topics such as recruiting, training and retaining, and maintaining a database. The volunteers were provided program training workshops on nutrition, classroom management, teaching methods, leadership skills, community service projects, stress management, cooperative extension mission and goals and volunteer roles at the Volunteer Leaders Training Conference. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Plans are underway to submit information to annual reporting system for local, state and regional database. VIP Leadership Center proposal was accepted to present a workshop at the 2017 Urban Conference. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The next phase is to implement e-learning modules, enroll student volunteers, provide phase II training for volunteers and volunteer managers, complete community service projects, launch website, collect volunteers' evaluations, program evaluations and impact data, analyze and report data and implement Volunteer Leaders Training Conference II
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The Volunteer in Urban Programs Leadership Centers (VIPLCs) will benefit communities and AAMU by encouraging community and student volunteers to take leadership in the implementation of Extension programs to underserved urban audiences. The VIPLCs objectives are to: 1) Build program delivery and technology capacity of the existing Urban Affairs' Volunteer In Urban Programs: The VIP Leaders Centers program has been established in the six designated centers. The equipment and computers have been delivered for program volunteer training and log-in. 2) Increase the knowledge and skills of volunteer managers in the areas of recruitment, enrollment, training and retention. Training has been provided to increase the staff members' knowledge and skills of recruiting, training, enrollment and retaining volunteers. 3) Develop a network of certified and specialized skilled community and student volunteers. Implemented a VIP Leaders Training Conference. The volunteers and volunteer managerswere provided program training workshops on nutrition, classroom management, teaching methods, leadership skills, community service projects, stress management, cooperative extension mission and goals and volunteer roles. 4) Develop a website for volunteer applications, sign-up, and completion of educational modules for certifications. The developer has been hired and the website is under construction. A project manager has been hired to aidwith website development, program materials, and volunteer database. The e-learning modules are in the development phase for implementation for second quarter of year two.
Publications
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