# Presentation: 224433

## The What, Why, and How of Programs of Distinction

**The What, Why, and How of Programs of Distinction**

**Presented by: **
**Suzanne Le Menestrel, National 4-H Headquarters, USDA**
**With Sharon Anderson and Gregg Tabachow, National 4-H Council**
**Lisa Dennis, University of Maryland**
**March 17, 2008**

## Overview of Programs of Distinction

- Benefits
- Overview of the Family Strengthening Awards
- Perspective of an Award Winner
- Submission  and Scoring Process
- Review of Training Manuscript
- Discussion and Q & A

**Overview**

## Peer-reviewed program descriptions that reflect the high quality of Extension youth development programs around the country

**Programs of Distinction are:**

## Definition of a Program: 

**Definition of a Program:**** **

## Programs of Distinction Must: 

- Contribute to the body of knowledge about youth development
- Convey new ideas, materials, or innovative methods
- Demonstrate evidence of effectiveness

**Programs of Distinction Must: **

## Why Programs of Distinction?  

**Why Programs of Distinction?  **

- Designed to help Extension Professionals:
- Communicate the high quality of youth development programs
- Assist others in improving their practices in positive youth development
- Better understand and promote the nature of scholarship in their work
- Submit program outcomes through peer-evaluated format
- Tell the story of 4-H and other Extension youth development programs

## Benefits to Submitters: 

- Eligibility for seminar presentation at NAE4-HA
- Detailed feedback provided by peers
- Opportunity for program improvement and enhancement of written communication skills
- Wonderful addition to professional file or resume
- Ability to generate reports for local and state funders and policy makers

**Benefits to Submitters: **

## And, Several National Awards!

- 4-H Families Count Family Strengthening Awards
- Jim Duncan Outstanding Program of Distinction Award
- MetLife Citizenship Awards
- 4-H Natural Resources Conservation Award

## Overview of Family Strengthening Awards

- Sponsored by the Annie E. Casey Foundation in Baltimore, MD; presented by National 4-H Council
- Five $15,000 cash awards (not grants)
- Programs significantly involve families—connect families to social networks, economic opportunities and/or services and support

## Overview of Family Strengthening Awards

- Especially focused on disadvantaged families that live in rural areas (population of 50,000 or less)
- Programs must have been in existence for at least one evaluation cycle
- Program must be connected to land-grant university and show a youth/adult partnership
- Programs must show a strong possibility of sustainability

## How to Apply for Family Strengthening Awards

- Step 1
- Programs of Distinction certification from National 4-H Headquarters
- Step 2
- Complete and attach Family Strengthening application to POD document brief
- Application found at _[www.fourhcouncil.edu/4HFamiliesProgram.aspx](http://www.fourhcouncil.edu/4HFamiliesProgram.aspx)__ _
- Application must include:
- A letter of endorsement from State 4-H Program Leader or Extension Director/Administrator
- Supplemental Materials—up to 4 pages
- 3 references

##  Family Strengthening Awards Application Due Date

- Applications are due to National 4-H Council by May 23, 2008
- Applications should be emailed to _[familyawards@fourhcouncil.edu](mailto:familyawards@fourhcouncil.edu)_

## Expectations of Family Strengthening Award Winners

- Attend NAE4-HA/Galaxy Conference (expenses paid) and participate in awards presentation and seminar
- Present best practice training in at least five individual and unique settings

## Overview of Submission Process:  

- _[http://www.national4-hheadquarters.gov/about/pod.htm](http://www.national4-hheadquarters.gov/about/pod.htm)_
- Programs of Distinction database
- Tips from Peer Reviewers
- Link to 4-H Families Count Family Strengthening Awards

**Overview of Submission Process:****  **

## Step 2: Submit manuscript directly to National 4-H Headquarters

- Manuscripts are accepted on a continuous basis.
- All manuscripts submitted electronically using the Programs of Distinction submission form available online.

## Step 3: Submitters receive a “receipt” e-mail acknowledging that the manuscript was received (state leader will be copied)

- Step 4: Identifying information (e.g., city, state, names, websites) is removed from the manuscript in order to ensure a blind review

## Step 5: The “blind” manuscript is sent to three reviewers with experience in the selected category(ies)

- Step 6: Reviewers are asked to complete their reviews within _two weeks_

## Step 7: Submitters receive reviewer comments and notification of the status of their submission within four weeks from the date the manuscript was received

## Scoring Process

- 			+
- 		25 readability points
- 		___________________________
**	****	**** **= 100 possible points

**Scoring Process**

## Final Recommendations  

**Final Recommendations****  **

- Publish as a designated POD
- Publish as a designated POD with minor revisions
- Ask submitter to revise and resubmit – needs major revisions
- Reject as POD

## Slide 21

| Scores | At least 2 publish | At least 2 minor or publish | At least 2 major | At least 2 major or reject |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2 or more ≥ 90 | CSREES makes grammatical edits - publish | CSREES works with submitter to make minor revisions - publish | N/A | N/A |
| 2 or more ≥ 80 | CSREES works with submitter to make minor revisions - publish | Submitter makes suggested revisions and returns to one peer reviewer  | no pass - CSREES communicates needed changes to submitter - resubmit | no pass - CSREES communicates needed changes to submitter - resubmit |
| 2 or more ≥ 70 | N/A | N/A | no pass - CSREES communicates needed changes to submitter - resubmit | no pass - CSREES communicates needed changes to submitter - resubmit |
| 2 or more ≤ 70 | N/A | N/A | no pass - CSREES communicates needed changes to submitter - resubmit | reject with offer to send comments |

## Helpful Suggestions  

**Helpful Suggestions****  **

- Reviewers are looking for something original
- Example: serves a unique audience
- Find something unique about your program
- Share your draft with colleagues first for a fresh pair of eyes
- Keep your state leader in the loop!
- Please keep open communication with us!
- Look at POD’s already on the website.

## Current Programs of Distinction43 programs accepted into the databasePrograms are from the following states:  

- Arkansas
- Arizona (2)
- California
- Colorado (3)
- Florida
- Georgia (2)
- Kentucky
- Iowa
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Michigan (3)
- Minnesota

- Missouri
- Montana (2)
- Nebraska (2)
- Nevada
- New Jersey (9)
- North Dakota
- Oregon (4)
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- Utah
- Washington
- Wisconsin

## Contact Information

- Suzanne Le Menestrel
- _[slemenestrel@csrees.usda.gov](mailto:slemenestrel@csrees.usda.gov)_
- 202-720-2297
- Maria Arnold
- _[marnold@csrees.usda.gov](mailto:marnold@csrees.usda.gov)_
- 202-720-8857
- pod@csrees.usda.gov

## Practice Makes Perfect!

- Scoring 4-H Explorer