A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

Cooperative Extension Service Assistance to Low-Income Families

Millions of children, youth, and families in almost every community across the country will be impacted by the provisions outlined in the welfare reform bill. States and local governments will face tremendous challenges as they plan and implement programs that will help people acquire skills needed to transition from welfare to work secure quality child care services, manage limited resources, and improve nutritional quality of diets. While many public and private agencies and organizations will be contributing to the solutions, the Cooperative Extension System (CES) has unique capabilities to reach into every community across the country, deliver research-based educational programs, and facilitate community collaborations.

The Cooperative Extension System--drawing on the vast resources and networks of 105 land-grant universities in all 50 states and 6 territories and anchored in each of the country's 3,150 counties--has a proven track record of positively impacting these issues for over 80 years. The CES is poised and positioned to assist the citizens of the country to move from welfare to work and meet the broad goals of welfare reform in the following areas:

Workforce Preparation. The CES in a majority of states is addressing some aspect of youth and adult employability. Programs include career development, community development, national and community service, entrepreneurial and high-risk youth. These programs:

• Enhance the economic stability of communities;

• Create pools of skilled and competent employees;

• Increase the financial security and quality of life for critical audiences; and

• Increase earning potential through education and training.

Child Care. For over 25 years, the CES has improved the quality of family-based, center-based, and school-aged child care programs through staff training; strengthened parenting skills; facilitated community collaborations in creating and administering child care programs; and raised the academic and social competencies of youth. In the context of welfare reform, the CES will continue to provide:

• Consumer education for families about quality child care;

• Parenting education;

• Child care provider education; and

• Facilitation to assisting communities in increasing the availability of child care.

Family Development and Resource Management. This nationwide, nonformal educational program addresses the most pressing economic and social issues facing families. Programs strengthen the capacity of:

• Families to nurture, support, and guide their members throughout their lives;

• Families to establish and maintain economic security and a quality environment; and

• Families and communities to be partners in building strong families and caring, safe communities.

Nutrition Education. For over 28 years, the Expanded Food and Nutrition Program and other nutrition education programs have used an experiential learning process that has taught limited resource families:

• How to make good choices to improve the nutritional quality of meals;

• How to select and buy food that meets the nutritional needs of their family;

• New skills in food production, preparation, storage, safety and sanitation; and

• Skills to manage food budgets and related resources such as food stamps.

If you would like to know more about the full scope and capacity of the Cooperative Extension System to address issues involving the workforce, child care, families, and nutrition education, contact:

Alma C. Hobbs,
Deputy Administrator
Families, 4H and Nutrition Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service
Phone (202) 720-2908
Internet: ahobbs@reeusda.gov

Back to Previous Article

Forward to Next Article