University of Missouri Extension 4-H LIFE Program, 4-H Center for Youth Development, 828 Clark Hall, Columbia, MO 65211, Phone: 573.882.3316 

Fax: 573.884.4225 – E-mail: gillespiet@missouri.edu – Web: http://extension.missouri.edu/4hlife/

 

What is the University of Missouri Extension 4-H LIFE Program?

The University of Missouri (MU) Extension 4-H Living Interactive Family Education (LIFE) 

Program is a family strengthening program that addresses the needs of children of incarcerated 

parents.

The overall objective of the 4-H LIFE Program is to promote a strong, healthy, and nurturing 

family environment for children of incarcerated parents, while helping incarcerated parents and 

trained 4-H volunteers become positive role models and mentors. 

The program has three, interwoven components focused on specific audiences/groups:

 Parenting skills classes and planning meetings for the incarcerated parents

 4-H club meetings that unite children with their families inside the prison visiting room

These three components are designed to create stronger parent-child bonds, improve the quality 

of prison-based family visits and increase youth decision-making and communication skills. 

Incarcerated parents are required to participate in weekly parenting and leadership and planning 

meetings in order to qualify for the program. The 4-H LIFE club meeting includes an official youthled business meeting and parent-led 4-H projects. Afterwards, program staff and parents apply

lessons learned into the next month’s meeting plan. Children of offenders who are involved in 4-H 

LIFE are also enrolled as members of county 4-H programs and are mentored by 4-H volunteers.

How did the program start?

The Missouri 4-H LIFE program was originally developed in late 1999 at the Potosi Correctional 

Center in response to caregivers’ requests for meaningful family interaction during prison visits. 

Since that time, the founding extension faculty and small teams of volunteer mentors have adapted 

the pilot program for fathers to include two women’s prisons and several more male prisons.

Program Goals

Short term goals include the following:

1. Offenders and their children will improve their relationship. 

2. Offenders and their children will experience increased satisfaction during prison visits. 

3. Children’s short term life skills will increase. 

These short-term goals lead to long term goals of improved family and community reintegration; 

ultimately leading to a reduction in intergenerational incarceration.

“The 4-H LIFE visits are like another 

world. You’re able to relax, love and 

laugh again.”

Incarcerated Mother

 4-H LIFE Program Participant 
University of Missouri Extension 4-H LIFE Program, 4-H Center for Youth Development, 828 Clark Hall, Columbia, MO 65211, Phone: 573.882.3316 

Fax: 573.884.4225 – E-mail: gillespiet@missouri.edu – Web: http://extension.missouri.edu/4hlife/

 

Program Outcomes

The original MU Extension 4-H LIFE Program in Potosi focused its evaluation efforts on 

assessment of the life skills of the children of offenders. The evaluation was conducted by Dr. 

Elizabeth G. Dunn and J. Arbuckle. They concluded that participating youth appeared to have 

statistically significant life skill gains related to problem-solving, communication and self-esteem.

Current Evaluation: Mixed Method Qualitative

The MU Extension 4-H LIFE program is partnering with the Missouri Department of Corrections, 

the University of Missouri Campus Institutional Review Board and evaluation consultant Dr. Joyce 

Arditti, VA Tech, to implement a rigorous study of 4-H LIFE Program outcomes. This 30-month 

research study is designed to assess the correlation between parent-child-family relationships and 

successful offender reentry.

Since August 2008, measures of parenting stress, co-parenting, social support and prison visit 

satisfaction data have been collected from approximately 100 subjects via:

 offender & caregiver interviews (control and program groups, male and female)

 corrections staff interviews (three data collection sites) 

 4-H program staff focus groups

Preliminary Findings

Child Impact:

 Improved decision-making skills

 Increased communication skills

Parent Impact:

 Improved parent-child relationship

 Improved parenting skills and parenting competence

Caregiver Impact

 Reduced stress during prison visits; increased satisfaction with family visits 

 Improved co-parenting behaviors with the incarcerated parent

The University of Missouri Extension will benefit from this study as it will be seen as a national 

leader in documenting the impact of high need outreach programming for an underserved 

population. Benefits for participants include a safe outlet to discuss and process their situation as 

well as having the knowledge that their contribution may result in more effective contact between 

incarcerated parents and their family members. 

Youth life skill surveys will be administered in spring 2010. All final research reports will be 

released nationally in mid-2011. 

“I’ve been locked up for six years. This 

is the only program I have ever been 

in that lets me apply what I am 

learning in parenting class.”

Incarcerated Father

 4-H LIFE Program Participant 
University of Missouri Extension 4-H LIFE Program, 4-H Center for Youth Development, 828 Clark Hall, Columbia, MO 65211, Phone: 573.882.3316 

Fax: 573.884.4225 – E-mail: gillespiet@missouri.edu – Web: http://extension.missouri.edu/4hlife/

 

Why Get Involved in the MU Extension 4-H LIFE Program?

With a focus on the future of America’s youth, the 4-H LIFE program is an integral part of 

improving Missouri’s rural, suburban and urban communities. In order for the program to be 

successful, each party involved, including incarcerated parents, children, caregivers, community 

members and corrections and program staff, must take ownership of their respective role. 

Since the program’s inception in 1999, staff logged a total of 1,700 hours of direct service 

programming inside Missouri’s state correctional centers. Nearly 30% of staff time was spent 

facilitating 4-H and family-strengthening activities with the entire family. As the program 

continues to gain momentum, the number of individuals needed to serve in various roles will only 

increase. Here’s why you should get involved:

 Incarceration creates a significant identity interruption for parents that may result in 

abandonment of parenting roles and increased stress levels.

o The 4-H LIFE Program gives incarcerated parents an opportunity to re-establish and 

strengthen their responsibilities to their children. 

 The inability to interact regularly with their child has an impact on the offender’s own 

perceptions about being a parent.

o Offenders who participate in the 4-H club meetings are better prepared to positively 

interact with their child and other family members in an engaged and respectful 

manner. 

 Studies suggest prevention is cheaper than intervention.

o A family incurs $350,000 worth of cost during a typical drug offender’s 39 months of 

incarceration. Included is $260,000 in pain and suffering. 

January 2009, “New Mexico State Seminar Gives Legislators Facts on Impact to Families of Incarcerated Parents”.

 Research shows children of offenders tend to feel isolated and lack the resources needed to 

build healthy relationships with their parents.

o Child participants of the 4-H LIFE program are encouraged to interact within their 

family unit as well as with other program participants and their communities, creating a 

sense of cooperation and unity.

o Compared to traditional visitation settings, the 4-H LIFE club meeting provides an 

enhanced environment that is conducive to more positive, personal visits among the 

offender, the child and the caregiver.

o Children who participate in 4-H LIFE tend to view their incarcerated parent in a 

positive leadership role.

“There have been 2,000 parent-child 

visits since the 4-H LIFE Program 

began... These families are getting to 

interact in a way that they’ve never 

been able to before.”

4-H Program Staff 
University of Missouri Extension 4-H LIFE Program, 4-H Center for Youth Development, 828 Clark Hall, Columbia, MO 65211, Phone: 573.882.3316 

Fax: 573.884.4225 – E-mail: gillespiet@missouri.edu – Web: http://extension.missouri.edu/4hlife/

 

Management and Infrastructure of MU Extension 4-H LIFE Program

Principal Investigator:

Dr Jo Britt-Rankin, M.S.

Assoc. Dean; State Specialist & Assoc. Prof.

College of Human Environmental Sciences

University of Missouri

110 Gwynn Hall

Columbia MO 65211-7700

Phone: 573.882.7828

Fax: 573.884.5768

E-mail: britt-rankinj@missouri.edu

Evaluation Consultant: Dr Joyce Arditti

Co-Principal Investigator:

Dr Ina Linville

Missouri 4-H Program Director

MU Extension 4-H Center for Youth 

Development

University of Missouri

821 Clark Hall

Columbia, MO 65211

Phone: 573.882.7430

Fax: 573.884.4225

E-mail: LinvilleI@missouri.edu

Associate Professor

Virginia Tech

311 Wallace Hall (0416)

Blacksburg, VA 24061

Phone: 540.231.5758

Fax: 540.231.7012

E-mail: jarditti@vt.edu

National 4-H Council Mentoring Grant

Lynna J. Lawson, 4-H LIFE Lead Advisor

121 S. Meramec, Suite 501

St. Louis, Missouri 63105

Phone: 573.631.6467

Fax: 314.615.8147

E-mail: lawsonl@missouri.edu

Program Coordinator:

Tammy M. Gillespie

4-H Center for Youth Development

Human Environmental Sciences Extension

University of Missouri

828 Clark Hall

Columbia, MO 65211

Phone: 573.882.3316

Fax: 573.884.4225

E-mail: gillespiet@missouri.edu

Funding

The MU Extension 4-H LIFE Program is funded primarily with USDA Children, Youth and 

Families at Risk grant funds (2006-2011). The program is also supported by University of 

Missouri Extension (Human Environmental Sciences Extension, Kids in the Kitchen and the 4-H 

Center for Youth Development); the Missouri 4-H Foundation (2008-09); the Missouri 

Children’s Trust Fund, the Missouri Department of Corrections Offender Canteen Funds and, 

effective Fall 2010, the Office of Juvenile Justice Programs and the National 4-H Council.

“4-H LIFE visits are ‘normal’ and allow 

me to be the mother my children need.”

 

 Incarcerated Mother

 4-H LIFE Program Participant 
University of Missouri Extension 4-H LIFE Program, 4-H Center for Youth Development, 828 Clark Hall, Columbia, MO 65211, Phone: 573.882.3316 

Fax: 573.884.4225 – E-mail: gillespiet@missouri.edu – Web: http://extension.missouri.edu/4hlife/

 

Program Model

The 4-H LIFE model is based on the principles/foundations of positive youth development that 

occurs from an intentional process that promotes positive outcomes for young people by 

providing opportunities, relationships and the support to fully participate. Positive youth 

development takes place in families, peer groups, schools, neighborhoods and communities.

Experiential Learning Model

“Learning by doing” is a hallmark of all 4-H 

youth development programs. This

hands-on approach helps youth explore new 

areas of inquiry, learn new concepts and 

develop life skills. The model is based upon the 

concept of “Do, Reflect, Apply.”

 

The National 4-H Council outlines four essential elements needed for youth to grow and thrive: 

 Independence: Children in the 4-H LIFE program are given a chance to create a variety of 

projects, allowing them to demonstrate their motor skills and independence.

 Belonging: The 4-H LIFE club meeting encourages children to interact within their family and 

with other program participants of various ages.

 Generosity: Child participants in the 4-H LIFE club meetings are encouraged to share ideas, 

projects and leadership roles, creating attitudes and behaviors based on generosity.

 Mastery: Each 4-H LIFE club meeting provides new concepts, challenges and activities for 

youth to master.

Ecological Approach

Missouri 4-H uses Bronfenbrenner’s ecological 

systems theory (1979, 1986, 2005). This model 

suggests that humans are impacted by multiple 

systems. These systems operate at the 

individual, family, community and societal 

levels. Researchers have concluded that 

effective positive youth development and 

prevention programs must operate at multiple 

levels of human ecology.

“I think as far as 4-H goes, since it 

focuses on the family...it helps focus on 

relationships...the triangle is there.”

Staff Member

Missouri Department 

of Corrections 
University of Missouri Extension 4-H LIFE Program, 4-H Center for Youth Development, 828 Clark Hall, Columbia, MO 65211, Phone: 573.882.3316 

Fax: 573.884.4225 – E-mail: gillespiet@missouri.edu – Web: http://extension.missouri.edu/4hlife/

 

 

Media Recognition

 WERDCC Audrain County: “Soar Award (service over and above requirements),” 2010

 Farmington Daily Journal: “Volunteer work can add new dimensions to life,” 2010

 Constitution Tribune: “4-H LIFE group helps children of incarcerated women meet challenges,” 2009

 Mexico Ledger: “Vandalia 4-H LIFE club to make holiday treats for Mexico Animal Shelter dogs,” 2009

 The Mexico Ledger: “Youth Learn Life Lessons in 4-H,” 2009

 University of Missouri KBIA Slideshow: “Mommy’s House: A Visit to Vandalia Women’s Prison,” April 2009 

 University of Missouri KBIA 91.3 four-part series: “Life after prison" (part three), 2009

 Joyce A. Arditti, PhD, evaluation consultant to the 4-H LIFE Program: “Increasing our Knowledge about 

Parental Incarceration: A Research Presentation,” February 2009

 The Council of State Governments Justice Center Action Plan: "Children of Incarcerated Parents," 2009

 The New York Times: “Missouri prison program fosters family ties behind bars,” 2008

 University of Missouri 4-H Center for Youth Development Annual Report: “Rewards of 4-H LIFE surpass 

program boundaries,” 2008

 Jefferson City News Tribune: Family Focus: “Algoa program teaches inmates parenting skills,” October 2008

 National Children, Youth and Families at Risk (CYFAR) Parent Editorial Board Webinar: “Working with 

Incarcerated Parents and Their Families: It's an Inside Job,” October 2008

 Natl. Children, Youth & Families Education and Research Network (CYFERnet) Program Showcase, May 2008

 Urban Institute Justice Policy Center Report: “Broken Bonds: Understanding & Addressing the Needs of 

Children with Incarcerated Parents,” February, 2008

 Journal of Youth Development: “Addressing the Needs of Children of Offenders,” 2007

 National 4-H Council's 4-H...Power of YOUTH newsletter: “Incarcerated Fathers and Their Children Find New 

LIFE 4-H,” Winter, 2006

Awards & Honors

Annie E. Casey Foundation Award

One of five programs to be awarded for 

innovative, exemplary and effective 4-H youth 

development programs that improve outcomes 

for rural, disadvantaged families. (2005)

National Collaboration for Youth

Selected for inclusion in the National 

Collaboration for Youth compendium showcasing 

programs that demonstrate benefits for youth, 

families and communities. (2005)

National 4-H Program of Distinction

Accepted as a Program of Distinction, a 

description that reflects the high quality of 4-H 

youth development programs occurring in 

communities across the United States. (2005)

National Priester Health Award

Awarded the National Priester Health Award, 

given for positive health outcomes of program 

participants, by Healthy People...Healthy 

Communities National Network for Health. (2004)

“I am deeply grateful for your help to 

our offenders and even more so to 

their children.”

George Lombardi

Director, Missouri

Department of Corrections 
University of Missouri Extension 4-H LIFE Program, 4-H Center for Youth Development, 828 Clark Hall, Columbia, MO 65211, Phone: 573.882.3316 

Fax: 573.884.4225 – E-mail: gillespiet@missouri.edu – Web: http://extension.missouri.edu/4hlife/

 

Current MU Extension 4-H LIFE Program Sites

Potosi Men’s Correctional Center; Level 5, Maximum Security

1999 Program Implementation: Monthly parenting, leadership and 4-H Family Meetings

Robert Wilkerson, Extension Associate

MU Extension, 113 N. Missouri, Suite A

Potosi, MO 63664

Phone: 573.438.2671; Fax: 573.438.3068

E: wilkersonrc@missouri.edu

Steve Gifford, Institutional Activities Coordinator

Department of Corrections, 11593 State Highway O

Mineral Point, MO 63660

Phone: 573.438.6000

Women’s Eastern, Reception, Diagnostic & Correctional Center, Levels 1-5

2007 Program Implementation: Weekly parenting, leadership; monthly 4-H Family Meetings

Eleanor Kloeppel

4-H Youth Specialist

101 N. Jefferson Room 304

Mexico, MO 65265

Phone: 573.581.3231

Fax: 573.581.2766

E: kloeppele@missouri.edu

Cindy Fry

4-H Youth Program Associate

101 North Jefferson Street

Mexico, MO 65265

Phone: 573.581.3231

Fax: 573.581.2766

E: frycy@missouri.edu

Angelica Beaver

Institutional Activities Coordinator

Department of Corrections

1101 East Highway 54

Vandalia, MO 63382

Phone: 573.594.6686

E: angelica.beaver@doc.mo.gov

Chillicothe Correctional Center, Levels 1-5, 

2009 Program Implementation: Weekly parenting, leadership; monthly 4-H Family Meetings

Shaun Murphy

4-H Youth Specialist

409 Washington Street

Chillicothe, MO 64601

Phone: 660.646.0811

E: murphyse@missouri.edu

Richard “Rick” Smith III

4-H Youth Program Associate

409 Washington Street

Chillicothe, MO 64601

Phone: 660.646.0811

E: smithrichar@missouri.edu

Department of Corrections

Trisha Sharp, Institutional 

Activities Coor., 3151 Litton Road

Chillicothe, MO 64601

Phone: 660.646.4032

E:trisha.sharp@doc.mo.gov

Emerging Programs:

Jefferson City Correctional Center, Level 5, specifically Intensive Therapeutic Community

2010 Program Development: Monthly parenting, leadership; quarterly 4-H Family Meetings

Missouri Eastern Correctional Center, Level 3

2010 Program Development: Monthly parenting, leadership; quarterly 4-H Family Meetings

“I wish I would have implemented 4-H 

LIFE sooner. It is a much more valid 

program... The focus is on the family 

and they are in a learning state.” 

 

 Institutional Activities Coordinator

 Missouri Department 

 of Corrections 
University of Missouri Extension 4-H LIFE Program, 4-H Center for Youth Development, 828 Clark Hall, Columbia, MO 65211, Phone: 573.882.3316 

Fax: 573.884.4225 – E-mail: gillespiet@missouri.edu – Web: http://extension.missouri.edu/4hlife/

 

Become an MU Extension 4-H LIFE Program Volunteer Mentor

University of Missouri (MU) Extension is currently recruiting volunteer mentors for the awardwinning 4-H LIFE Program, a family strengthening program that takes provides youth with 4-H 

learning opportunities inside correctional centers where their parent resides as well as in the 

community where the youth and his caregiver live.

Volunteer assistance is needed for the in these ways:

 Co-teaching research-based parenting classes with another trained volunteer.

 Assisting incarcerated parents and Extension staff plan and implement fun 4-H activities 

during monthly family visits held inside the correctional center visiting room.

 Serving as a caring, 4-H mentor to the youth in the community where he lives. 

Qualifications:

 Sincere desire to serve as a positive, long term mentor to children of offenders. 

 Willingness to attend land grant Extension 4-H Volunteer Orientation and trainings.

 Willingness and ability to become a Dept. of Corrections Volunteer in Corrections (VIC). 

Benefits:

 Research-based training provided at no cost.

 Volunteer in Corrections training given by the Department of Corrections at no cost.

 Rewarding life experience in working with underserved youth in your community.

For more volunteer information contact:

Tammy Gillespie, Program Coordinator or

MO 4-H LIFE Program

Ph. 573-882-3316

Email gillespiet@missouri.edu

Lynna Lawson, 4-H LIFE Lead Advisor

National 4-H Council Mentoring Grant

Ph. 573-631-6467

Email lawsonl@missouri.edu

“I learned a lot from my volunteer 

experience with the 4-H LIFE 

Program. I am more open, and I 

appreciate others’ differences. I have 

more understanding of the mission 

and work of University of Missouri 

Extension and Corrections.”

 

 4-H LIFE Program Volunteer 

Intern