Research Accomplishment Reports 2008

Children, Youth and Families Education and Research Network, Program Component

J. Kurzynske, W. Stivers
Department of Human Environmental Sciences

 

Non-Technical Summary

There are many at-risk individuals, families and communities in the U.S. Many of whom have little access to informal educational tools. CYFERnet is a web-based, peer-reviewed site devoted to program information and materials that support Children, Youth and Families at Risk projects. The purpose of this proposal is to maintain and expand the CYFERnet-Program component in collaboration with CYFERnet-Technology and CYFERnet-Evaluation. CYFERnet provides technological access to cutting edge research, programs, evaluation, and promising practices. A model that acknowledges the inter-relationships between the individual, families, organizations, and policy is the basis for our structure.

Project Description

864 new resources were peer reviewed. 737 resources were posted on CYFERnet (85% acceptance rate). Fourteen Hot Topics were offered - timely research-based information on subjects of wide interest. More than 40 workshops, presentations, and exhibits offered to increase research-based resources for youth development and family professionals.

Nine webinars were offered (580 participants) by nationally recognized professionals and collaborators. All were archived on CYFERnet. Examples of 2008 topics:

• building strong marriages,
• helping kids be healthy and active,
• grow impact with community gardens, and
• youth-adult partnerships in community decision making.

Developed six resource collections devoted to the primary focus areas of CYFAR Sustainable Communities Projects (SCP). These six clusters are: communication skills; healthy living; citizenship; entrepreneurship and workforce prep; parenting; and science, engineering and technology.

Impact

Collaborations were built with eXtension:

1. Early childhood board members are members of the "Just in Time Parenting" advisory team and "Child Care Advisor" planning grants.

2. School age editor and teen editor are members of eXtension institutional teams in NV and ID.

3. School Age board members are members of the "Youth Science, Engineering, and Technology Literacy" community of practice.

4. Parent/Family board members are members of the "Family Caregiving" community of practice.

Collaborations have been developed with Access 4-H, National 4-H Curriculum Directory, National 4-H Institute, and 4-H Learning Priorities. There were 1,765,261 hits representing a 54% increase usage from the previous year. 157,780 different users on CYFERnet, representing a 10% increase from the previous year.