Query: need assessment of community extension program

title: Improving Level of Teachers' Computer Literacy through Community Extension Program
abstract: The necessity for teachers to cope with the current technology has inspired the researchers to assess the level of computer literacy of all Public Secondary teachers of Northeastern Cagayan as a basis to design a computer literacy program to improve their competencies in using ICT in the teaching and learning process. The respondents consisted of 157 teachers from public secondary schools of northeastern Cagayan. Data were collected through questionnaires based on the training needs self assessment test made by the pool of experts of the College of Information and Computing Sciences of Cagayan State University Gonzaga to measure the computer literacy of the teachers. Results revealed that most of the respondents are moderately skilled and they need more training to enhance their computer skills for they don't have sufficient knowledge to perform all the operations of these applications which are needed in the delivery of instruction. Computer literacy level differed significantly when grouped by age, computer training attended, number of hours of computer usage per week at home and office, years of teaching, and computer applications used in teaching. Results from this study will be a basis for designing the computer literacy training program of the Public Secondary teachers of Northeastern Cagayan. The Computer Literacy training program will be administered to all the respondents as one of the community extension programs of the College of Information and Computing Sciences of Cagayan State University Gonzaga.

title: Preparing Extension Educators for Community Based Research and Grant Partnerships.
abstract: Two trainings to prepare Extension educators for research and grant partnerships were designed, implemented, and evaluated. These trainings further national goals to address health disparities, gain partnerships in the health care sector, and support health extension. The workshop Are You Research Ready? prepares Extension educators to participate in community based human health research. Evaluations indicated that attendees gained a self assessment of research readiness and felt more confident to position themselves for grants. Program evaluations also showed that educators needed additional training on how to create partnerships. A second workshop, Are You Partnership Ready? addresses this need, increasing participants' confidence and skills for engaging in research projects and building partnerships.

title: NEEDS ASSESSMENT OF EBREO VILLAGE, BARANGAY TRES DE MAYO, DIGOS CITY: BASIS FOR COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAM OF UM DIGOS COLLEGE
abstract: The purpose of this study was to assess the need of Ebreo Village, Barangay Tres de Mayo, Digos City as basis for a community outreach program of UM Digos College. Using descriptive survey method with frequency counts and percentage, and the questionnaire of the Community Extension Service Office (CESO) it was found out that families encountered problems which were socio economic in nature and that potable water sources, multi purpose center, and other amenities were the basic facilities needed by the community. The study suggested that Barangay officials should address these problems and that a concrete outreach program with strategic plan of activities must be designed and implemented in answer to the need of Ebreo Village, the partner community of UM Digos College.

title: Organizing a Community "Biggest Loser" Weight Loss Challenge.
abstract: The program described here shows how Extension can be a strong collaborative partner in a rural setting in improving the overall health of the community by organizing a three month "Biggest Loser" Weight Loss Challenge. A pre and post fitness assessment and bi weekly weigh ins were administered. Three healthy lifestyle educational programs were provided, and a 3 month follow up behavior change survey was collected. The program has been a tremendous success, with 588 participants losing 2,357.2 lbs. over the past 3 years.  The 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans state that physical activity need not be strenuous to be beneficial. The guidelines recommend a minimum of 150 minutes per week of moderate aerobic activity and a minimum of 2 days per week of strength training for adults ages 1864 (U.S. Department of Health Human Services [HHS] 2008) In Idaho, 33.4% of adults participate in 20 minutes or more of physical activity three or more days per week (National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention [CDC] 2009) Information obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) showed an estimated 2/3 (68% of American adults and approximately 23 million children are overweight or obese. The number of overweight and obese adolescents has increased from 5% in 1996 to 17% in 2004 (Sheehy Dharod, 2008) Adult men in the nation measured in at 32.2% obese, and adult women at 35.5% (Flegal, Carroll, Ogden, Curtin, 2010) In Idaho, the prevalence of overweight and obese adults has increased significantly in the past decade, from 55.7% in 2000, to 61.3% in 2009 (Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, 2010) Families living in Idaho County are facing health issues currently affecting many U.S. families. In 2009, 37.3% of screened Idaho adults had been told they have high cholesterol, with 43% of those being overweight (Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, 2010) Dawkins, McMickens, Findlay, Kirstin D. Jensen Extension Educator, Idaho County Family and Consumer Sciences University of Idaho Grangeville, Idaho kdjensen@uidaho.edu and Pace (2010) found that community leaders exhibit knowledge on questions relating to obesity; however, they were less knowledgeable when addressing questions on exercise and body mass index (BMI) Investment in effective community programs that promote increased physical activity and good nutrition and improve overall health is the motivation behind developing the weight loss challenge described here. Program Description To address the lack of rural educational programs in the areas of healthy lifestyles, physical activity, and healthy nutritional choices, University of Idaho Extension, Idaho County partnered with local health providers to develop the group Our Health Our Community. Beginning in 2009, monthly meetings were held to develop a series of educational forums and events to address the rise in obesity and chronic disease rates in the community. The most successful event to address these health issues has been the "Biggest Loser" Weight Loss Challenge. The "Biggest Loser" title was chosen as an incentive to gain interest in the weight loss challenge, because many people are familiar with NBC's television program "The Biggest Loser." This reality show is not without controversy, as James Hill (2005) reports, "Patients would be more successful in losing weight if they all had personal trainers and were followed around by television cameras." This is not a recommended healthy way to lose weight and/or body fat. Hill also states, "Losing weight requires a long term commitment to a program that requires hard work and produces weight losses of 10 15% of initial weight." To ensure the participants of the weight loss challenge are successful at attaining a healthier weight, it is important to include education/information based on the recommended healthy weight loss guidelines set forth by HHS. The Idaho County 'Biggest Loser' Weight Loss Challenge is designed as a community wide physical activity, and nutrition education campaign. Organization includes: Marketing newspaper articles, flyers, radio ads, banners Dates January thru March Participants (15 and older) charged a minimal fee to cover the cost of the challenge awards, can sign up as individuals and/or teams Registration packet challenge rules, schedule of educational events, food logs, weigh in sheets, fitness center passes Participants are measured and assessed in the following areas at the kick off event: Body weight Body fat percentage and body mass index (BMI) by means of bioelectrical impedance Cardiorespiratory fitness (Golding, Myers, Sinning, Three Minute Step Test, 1989) April 2013 Organizing a Community "Biggest Loser" Weight Loss Challenge JOE 51(2) ( Muscular endurance and strength (Canadian Standardized Test of Fitness, One Minute Timed Bent Knee Sit Ups and Push Ups, 1987) Body dimensions (upper arm, chest, waist, hips, thigh, and calves) The "Biggest Loser" Weight Loss Challenge is designed on a point system. Participants receive points for the following: Attending healthy lifestyle educational events: Metabolism Me provides healthy nutrition/physical activity guidelines; Blood Sugar and Cholesterol Screening/Information; Fitness for Free working out at home, inexpensive fitness equipment, local walking/running clubs Attending the kick off /final weigh in/fitness assessment Completing the food log diary (paper logs/online food logs www.choosemyplate.gov/SuperTracker, www.myfitnesspal.com) Using fitness passes Participating in community fun run/walks To provide motivation during the challenge: Weekly email updates are sent on how the challenge is progressing. Phone calls are made to answer questions. Updates/announcements are shared on the challenge Facebook Page. Participants can weigh in at the fitness center to record weight loss. Final weigh in: Participants receive points for every pound and percent of body fat lost. A future recommendation would be to award up to two points for two pounds lost/week to reflect a healthy weight loss amount (HHS) Monetary awards are provided to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place female/male individual winners, and to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winning teams The goal is to provide a competitive and educational healthy lifestyle program to improve overall health.  Starting with the 2011 challenge, participants were given a retrospective pre post survey during the April 2013 Organizing a Community "Biggest Loser" Weight Loss Challenge JOE 51(2) ( 3 educational presentation on metabolism, nutrition, and physical activity. Three months following the challenge, a survey was mailed to all participants. The intention of the survey was to measure which healthy lifestyle actions and behaviors the participants were continuing with following the completion of the challenge. Total weight loss was a combined measure of the participants who completed and returned the survey. Surveys were mailed to 80 participants, with (17) completed and returned, for a 21% response rate (Table 1) Table 1. "Biggest Loser" Weight Loss Challenge, 3 Month Follow Up Survey Results, 2011 1. Eat snacks/meals frequently (5 6 times/day) 41% 2. Eat smaller portions 88% 3. Follow USDA Food Pyramid guidelines 71% 4. Participate in strength training exercises 3+ days/week 53% 5. Participate in 150+ minutes of cardiovascular (aerobic) exercise weekly 47% 6. Total Weight Loss 197.4 lbs.  Based on the 2011 program evaluation results, healthy lifestyle knowledge and behavior change was evident. Three months following the challenge finale, over 50% of the participants were continuing to eat smaller portions, follow the USDA Food Pyramid guidelines, and participate in strength training exercise 3+ days/week. Since 2009, 47 men and 541 women have participated in the "Biggest Loser" Weight Loss Challenge, 32% completing the full program. The total combined weight loss of 588 participants is 2,357.2 lbs. with an average body fat percentage loss of 2.8% Future success will depend on continued involvement by the community partners to expand the challenge to surrounding communities, provide updated education on healthy lifestyle behaviors, encourage further online participation, and to help participants bring the "Biggest Loser" Weight Loss Challenge back to their communities and workplaces.

title: Leadership Advisory Boards in Texas: Their Perceived Ability and Utilization as the Visioning Body for Program Development
abstract: The ability of Leadership Advisory Boards within Texas AgriLife Extension Service to function as the primary visioning/needs assessment source is paramount to maintaining the grassroots connection for programs. The study reported here sought to measure the self perceptions of members' ability to meet the demand associated with this role. The study found that members feel confident in their ability to scan the community and identify relevant issues but found a need for increased training and orientation as to function and roles.

title: Agricultural education and training system capacity development for sub Saharan Africa: The role of InnovATE
abstract: There is an urgent need to develop capacity in African agricultural education and training (AET) through innovative methods that achieve the goals of food security, economic development and poverty reduction. InnovATE (Innovation for Agricultural Training and Education) is a five year, demand driven USAID funded program with a mandate for capacity development in AET systems in low income and emerging economies across the world. Though innovATE's primary focus is on formal AET, the program's activities and findings are oriented toward developing capacity across agricultural knowledge and information systems (AKIS) which includes agricultural extension activities. Through innovATE's learn design train approach, the program has developed capacity through various activities in Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) These have included the generation of AET system studies on countries and thematic issues, the creation of an online Community of Practice, in country assessment of AET systems in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the provision of training workshops for capacity development in Senegal and Mozambique. Evaluating the results of these activities provides the context for critical examination of the most effective approaches for AET system capacity development in SSA.  Education and training, AKIS, extension, InnovATE, Sub Saharan Africa

title: Consent for the Release of Confidential Information for the Criminal Justice System and Related Agencies (New York)
abstract: I, ___________________________, hereby consent to communication between the Name of Defendant *see additions below) Ithaca Drug Treatment Court Program, the Drug Treatment Court Judge, the Tompkins County District Attorney, BOCES, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Alpha House, Alcoholism Council of Tompkins County, Tompkins County Mental Health, Community Dispute Resolution Center, Tompkins County Assigned Counsel, Tompkins Community Action, Department of Social Services, Tompkins County Probation, parole, and/or other referring agencies, the following information: attendance and participation in the Drug Court Treatment Program. The nature of and need for the disclosure is to inform the criminal justice agenc(ies) listed above of the attendance and progress in treatment. The extent of information to be disclosed is information about my attendance or lack of attendance at treatment sessions, drug testing results, my cooperation with the treatment program, completion of the program, and assessment information required for local, state, and national research. I understand that this information will be discussed in open court

title: Natural resource information needs of Aboriginal communities in the Southern Interior of British Columbia
abstract: This paper describes the First Nations Community Needs Analysis Process that FORREX Forest Research Extension Partnership (formerly SIFERP, the Southern Interior Forest Extension and Research Partnership) undertook in 1999/2000 to identify and analyze the land and natural resource management information needs of the First Nations' communities in the Southern Interior of British Columbia. It also responds to the outcomes of the information needs assessment by presenting a "Framework for Action," part of which includes establishing the Partnership's Aboriginal Forestry Extension Program. Based on the results of the information needs assessment, First Nations' communities in the Southern Interior of British Columbia clearly have a need and a desire to participate in forestry extension services. The information needs assessment also revealed and expanded on several issues that must be considered in the provision of extension services to First Nations' communities. With incentive from its Aboriginal partners, FORREX has taken a leadership role in providing extension services and has undertaken the responsibility of working with its Aboriginal partners to identify the information and research needs in their communities. The needs analysis process has also provided direction for including traditional ecological knowledge in natural resources management and policy development.

title: An Assessment of ICT Competencies of Public School Teachers: Basis for Community Extension Program
abstract: This study aimed to assess the level of ICT competencies of public school teachers at San Jose Central Elementary School, Division of Tacloban City, Philippines. Descriptive survey method was used which involved a questionnaire, interviews, and observations. Sixty two (62) teachers served as respondents. Results showed that most of the teachers have a basic knowledge on ICT and needs improvement. More trainings is hereby needed to the teachers for them to integrate ICT in teaching and other related task assigned to them so as to uplift and enhance the quality of education of the said elementary public school.

title: Do We Need an Irritable Subtype of ADHD? Replication and Extension of a Promising Temperament Profile Approach to ADHD Subtyping
abstract: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is emblematic of unresolved heterogeneity in psychiatric disorders the variation in biological, clinical, and psychological correlates that impedes progress on etiology. One approach to this problem is to characterize subgroups using measures rooted in biological or psychological theory, consistent with the National Institute of Mental Health's research domain criteria initiative. Within ADHD, a promising application involves using emotion trait profiles that can address the role of irritability as a complicating feature for ADHD. Here, a new sample of 186 children with ADHD was evaluated using community detection analysis to determine if meaningful subprofiles existed and if they replicated those previously identified. The new sample and a prior sample were pooled for evaluation of (a) method dependence, (b) longitudinal assessment of the stability of classifications, and (c) clinical prediction 2 years later. Three temperament profiles were confirmed within the ADHD group: one with normative emotional functioning "mild" one with high surgency "surgent" and one with high negative affect "irritable" Profiles were similar across statistical clustering approaches. The irritable group had the highest external validity: It was moderately stable over time and it enhanced prospective prediction of clinical outcomes beyond standard baseline indicators. The irritable group was not reducible to ADHD oppositional defiant disorder, ADHD disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, or other patterns of comorbidity. Among the negative affect domains studied, trait proneness to anger uniquely contributed to clinical prediction. Results extend our understanding of chronic irritability in psychiatric disorders and provide prospects for a fresh approach to assessing ADHD heterogeneity focused on the distinction between ADHD with and without anger/irritability.