Identifying and Documenting Evidence-Based Programming Across Cooperative Extension The Extension Foundation (EXF) helps Cooperative Extension (CE) professionals make a more innovative, visible, and measurable impact on local issues. We challenge the teams we support to use intentional program design that fosters innovation, collaboration, strategic partnerships, user engagement, and continual evaluation for iteration and validation of programming efforts. Our Impact Collaborative...

Looking forward to the conversation on the 24th as I suspect there are multiple definitions/interpretations of the terms evidence-based and research-based programming.

The Extension Foundation recently announced a series of five conversations focusing on identifying and documenting evidence-based programming in Cooperative Extension . The goals of these conversations are to: Discuss the importance of identifying program evidence for Extension. Identify what we know about evidence in Extension programming Discuss examples of how Extension programs achieve evidence. Establish common language when talking about “evidence”. Identify at what level Extension...

Take a look at what we learned from participants in the first conversation exploring what evidence means to Extension Programming. We will use this information to jump start our second conversation held Monday, February 7, 2022.

We were delighted to have both returning and new participants in our second convening, February 7, 2022, to explore how evidence can be identified in Extension. Our three breakout rooms focused on the following questions and generated common themes found in the attached infographic. At what level do the vast majority of Extension programs achieve evidence? Identifying what level of evidence Extension should aspire. What do professionals need to achieve evidence. We also considered how to...

As part of our ongoing conversations about “What does Evidence mean for Extension”, participants have pointed out the need to consider and review existing clearinghouses or resources around evidence-based practices. Clearinghouses are registries of programs and interventions that have been reviewed and rated according to criteria set by each clearinghouse. @Paulina Velez has taken care in compiling summaries of clearinghouses in place for our next conversation review and reactions. Although...

Throughout our series of conversations we are consistently attracting both returning and new participants. This has been extremely helpful as we explore the possibilities and what might work for gauging evidence in Extension. WHAT WE LEARNED 1) Why would professionals work toward documenting evidence? The compelling reasons to document evidence included being more responsive to funders and future funders, to add validity to Extension programming, increase professional integrity to provide...

As part of our ongoing conversations about “What does Evidence mean for Extension”, participants have pointed out the need to consider and review existing clearinghouses or resources around evidence-based practices. Clearinghouses are registries of programs and interventions that have been reviewed and rated according to criteria set by each clearinghouse. Before our conversation, participants received a summary of three resources that could guide further discussions around evidence in...