Tagged With "Working with Difficult Clients"
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Re: Extension's Role in Addressing Social Isolation.
I do too, @Erin (Yelland) Martinez ! I have been thinking a lot lately about the ways that our engagement with older adults offer prevention of social isolation... which is really social connectedness. Thanks for bringing this forward, @Adam T Hughes .
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Re: Extension's Role in Addressing Social Isolation.
We often talk about mental health and extension's role in addressing mental ill health symptoms: substance use, addiction, other anti-social behaviors. We rarely consider our role in working on "root causes" or social-environmental determinants of mental health disparities or low/poor social-emotional well-being among subpopulations (e.g., diverse demographics-age, gender, race, ethnicity, rural, etc.). We also tend to miss opportunities to plan and work across sectors & systems to...
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Re: Extension's Role in Addressing Social Isolation.
Really important topic. We are looking at how we can "multisolve" this issue. How to engage older adults in our work and in the community (building social connections) while connecting them with critical community resources and even involving them in programs like Aging Mastery and or Powerful Tools for Caregivers, depending on what they need and are interested in. The more resources and tools in our toolbox, the better!
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Re: Extension's Role in Addressing Social Isolation.
Such an important conversation! Social connection is a part of the definition of mental wellbeing, and is so critical for our work across Extension. View a short video on the difference between mental illness and mental health and another about stress and isolation on the University of Minnesota Extension website.
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Re: Extension's Role in Addressing Social Isolation.
The Building Resilient Inclusive Communities Program (BRIC) includes a focus on reducing social isolation and loneliness. It's a collaboration between CDC, DNPAO, and National Association for Chronic Disease Directors. Funding flows through state health departments.It would be interesting to find out if any funded states collaborated with Extension. https://chronicdisease.org/bric/
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Practicing Gratitude and Building Better Thoughts
For service providers and clients alike, life is a winding road of good things here and bad things there. Actively working toward wiring your brain to acknowledge the good and appreciating those good things can help individuals shape personal strengths and build protections. Creating protective factors which can help cultivate positive mental health and generate an asset-based outlook that reaches all aspects of life. November is National Gratitude Month Gratitude is the practice of being...
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Some things I think I think...
The great sports broadcaster Dan Patrick used to host a podcast with the title "Things I think I think". During a presentation to our team, we were reminded of his show and it sparked my own thinking about what I think I think. Here are a few to ponder... Curiosity over Certainty When we remain curious we're open. We have a growth mindset. We see challenges as opportunities. While we can have aspects of our lives we're certain about, like our core values, in daily interactions it often leads...
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Smart Holiday Spending and Debt Repayment
In December, many Extension educators field questions about holiday shopping and subsequent debt repayment. Check out these tips to share with clients.
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2022 Program Center Stage
The Extension Foundation 's Program Center Stage series had a great first year , highlighting programs that are doing impactful work across the system . Throughout the year , the series featured Southern University Ag Center Emergency Prep ared ness Response & Recovery , J UN T OS 4-H, New Technologies for Ag Extension ( N TA E ), Extension Collabor ation on Immun ization Education ( EX C ITE ), North Star Legacy Communities , Utah ’ s Remote Work Online Initiative Program , P estic ide...
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Extension Skills 2022
This past year, the Impact Collaborative's Extension Skills series has provided Cooperative Extension professionals with the opportunity to build capacity with tools, processes, and tech skills training. Each second Thursday of the month, a workshop was led by an Extension expert to give professionals the opportunity to learn new skills and share best practices to help them be more effective and innovative in their work! This year, the workshops focused on topics such as virtual engagement...
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New publication explores Utah State Extension's remote work program
A new publication - Making Remote Work: Extension program boosts opportunities, salaries in rural Utah - is available from the Extension Foundation. The publication shares the story of Utah State University’s Rural Online Initiative (ROI), a training and certification program launched in 2018 to boost the capacity of program participants to be effective remote workers. Since its launch, more than 300 rural residents have secured employment after completing the Master Remote Work Professional...
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Job Opening: Pesticide Safety Education Coordinator, UC Statewide IPM Program (Davis, CA)
The University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program is seeking an energetic person to coordinate, develop, and deliver educational programs in pesticide safety for users of pesticides in California. In this position, you would provide objective information about pesticide safety and promote sound decision making to reduce pesticide risks to human health and the environment in the context of integrated pest management. You would also serve as the Pesticide Safety...
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Uplifting the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Youth
An estimated 5% of the 1.76 million youth in military families identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, or Queer. Surveyed LGBTQ youth with a parent currently serving in the military that experienced high levels of family support reported lower mental health challenges and suicide risk ( Trevor Project, 2022 ). When youth feel safe at home, their mental wellness is significantly improved. Fostering healthy family relationships translates into protective factors for younger and older...
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Three Strategies to Better Meet Military Families’ Needs
By Anna Peterson Summary Military-connected populations, including military families, face unique needs and barriers in finding services and care for family members. Extension educators/agents who serve military-connected populations can deploy three strategies to better meet their needs: 1) use the Social Determinants of Health model; 2) build collaborations with others; and 3) use a care coordination tool. Introduction The needs of the military-connected population (e.g., service members,...
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Safety First!
Each of us strives to fulfill basic needs as humans otherwise we're surviving instead of thriving. When we perceive a situation isn't safe our fight/flight/freeze mode kicks in automatically so we can live through it. It's a great adaptation humans have developed over the millennia. We wouldn't be here without it. The problem comes when we live in this mode more than we feel safe. Cortisol and adrenaline flood our system even when we aren't actually in danger. Prolonged exposure to these...
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Evaluating a System-wide Project: An interview with the EXCITE evaluation team!
We are excited to have Isabel Osborne and Laura Downey to discuss their involvement in the evaluation and reporting process for the system-wide Extension Collaboration on Immunization Teaching and Engagement (EXCITE) Project. Isabel and Laura have been integral in developing a comprehensive and dynamic system for evaluating the EXCITE project's progress and success. Q: Isabelle and Laura, could you please tell us about yourselves and the roles you play in the evaluation team? Laura: Great.
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Unique Strengths of the EXCITE Project: Providing evidence-based information in an understandable form and using multiple delivery methods
The Extension Collaboration for Immunization, Teaching, and Engagement ( EXCITE ) project was created to reduce vaccine hes it ancy in rural and medically unders erved communities . Fund ed by the CDC through an Inter agency Agreement with USDA N IFA and a cooperative agreement with the Extension Foundation , the team has four goals : reduce hes it ancy , increase communication between populations and health systems , increase accessibility to clinics and help implement public health...
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Healthy Eating Resources for Families Facing Food Insecurity
As any parent can tell you, it can be tough to get your kids to eat healthy foods. Proper nutrition is an important part of raising happy and healthy families. But what happens when proper nutrition is difficult to obtain? Not having enough food to eat is a growing problem for many families, so it can be hard to eat healthily when food is limited. Whether a family is facing a lack of access to healthy foods or affordability issues, this challenge of food insecurity puts families through...
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The Impact of Food Insecurity on Mental Health
When families experience food insecurity, hunger may be only one result. An often-overlooked factor of insufficient access to food is the detrimental impact on mental health. Adults with low food security are more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and heightened stress [1]. Socio-economic background, race, culture, and location all play a role in the development of one’s psychological well-being. Historically marginalized groups are already at a disproportionate disadvantage to being...
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Future You
"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift, which is why we call it the present." -Bill Keane Ok, a little bit of a cheesy way to start. Seriously though, tomorrow isn't promised to any of us. Our challenge is to make the most out of every day because each one is an opportunity to move closer to the person we want to be. The journey is the destination. Here's a big thing that gets in the way... Damaging Self Talk When we describe ourselves (to ourselves and others) in...
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Social Determinants of Health for Military Families in Transition
By: Jenny Rea, Ph.D. , Edited by Anna Peterson Arizona is home to 500,000+ service members, veterans, and their families. I recently had the opportunity to attend the Arizona Coalition for Military Families’ 13th Annual Statewide Symposium in Phoenix, Arizona. This annual event is Arizona’s only conference that brings together the military, government, and community. The symposium focuses on strengthening services and support for Arizona’s military-connected population. As Extension...
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Strategies and Tools for Effective Program Evaluation from the Extension Foundation
The Extension Foundation offers a variety of resources that can help Extension professionals develop strategies and utilize new tools for program evaluation, data collection, and stakeholder engagement. On Connect you can find videos and publications that highlight and present various evaluation methods, data collection techniques and tips, and effective evaluation approaches. Resources include webinars on qualitative research, data analysis, survey strategies, and multiple tools for...
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USDA Announces Funding for 33 Institutions for $262.5M Investment through NEXTGEN Opportunity
The Extension Foundation (EXF) was awarded by USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) in the Fall of 2022 to serve as the Technical Service Provider for the NEXTGEN Funding Opportunity. According to USDA-NIFA, “...the National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s (NIFA) ‘ From Learning to Leading: Cultivating the Next Generation of Diverse Food and Agriculture Professionals Program ’ (NextGen) will enable eligible institutions, from New York to the Northern Mariana Islands, to...
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Strategies to “Liven Up” Financial Education Classes
Extension educators are always looking for ways to increase participation and engagement in their financial education classes. Here are a dozen interactive teaching methods to consider: Case Study Analyses, Current Events, Financial Calculator Debriefs, Gallery Walks, Documentary Debriefs, Guest Speakers, and more!
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Feel the surge? Resist the urge!
A few years ago an assignment came my way due to a lack of personnel with the right experience. It featured a lot of diverse tasks to prepare a team for a challenging assignment involving advanced training, remote communication, outside agency networking/coordination & team building. After months of painstakingly detailed work, my bosses felt I had not asked the right questions, sweat the small stuff enough and let too many “balls drop”. In a one-way conversation, they fired me. This hit...
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Title: Cultivating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Extension Programs: Pioneering Crucial Work in Today's World
In a rapidly evolving world, where diversity is celebrated, and inclusivity is championed, the role of extension programs has taken on a new level of significance. As a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) leader, I am excited to shed light on the crucial work to ensure that extension programs are at the forefront of fostering an inclusive environment that empowers individuals from all walks of life. Embracing Diversity: A Source of Strength The essence of extension programs lies in their...
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Harvests from the Equitable Development Field Leaders Dialogue Series
The Equitable Development Leadership Academy has danced across several iterations seeking to encourage youth leadership, community capacity building, and the well-being of all life. With the boundless support and ingenuity of Solvable , this work has come to life for me, and I am truly thrilled about the unique resources and experiences we are creating. To inspire our work, we drew upon the wisdom of equity leaders hailing from all corners of the United States. We embarked on a spellbinding...
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What is ExtensionBot?
This work is supported by funding from a cooperative agreement with USDA-NIFA and in partnership with Oklahoma State University, New Technologies for Ag Extension, grant no 2020-41595-30123. ExtensionBot is a chatbot that is built and deployed by the Extension Foundation. We are working closely with Eduworks Corporation on the development and deployment of the technology. ExtensionBot is backed by an LLM (Large Language Model) that is trained exclusively on data provided by Cooperative...
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Balancing Your Mental Health to Better Serve Others
As September approaches we want to recognize Suicide Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about suicide prevention, promoting understanding of mental health challenges, and fostering conversations that can save lives. Mark your calendar for 11:00 AM ET on September 27, 2023 and plan to attend OneOp’s professional development opportunity focused on balancing our mental health to better service others. To learn more, go to: Balancing Your Mental Health . Providers, whether...
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Emotional Spending 101
Unlike impulsive buying, emotional spending is frequently heightened by stress, grief, or moments of happiness or sadness. Regardless of these triggers, they can impact your finances negatively. For example, you shop to make yourself feel better after a bad day at work. As a result, compulsive shopping and spending stems from an impulse disorder habit that can be addictive for many. The relationship between money and happiness is now seen as complete. Aknin, Wiwad, and Hannibal (2018)...
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Scam Prevention Information for Military Families
In 2022, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) received over 93,000 reports of fraud by Military Consumers. Military families are frequent targets for scams. Explore the reasons for this, discover how you can help clients spot, avoid and report fraud.
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Are you ready?
Are you ready for a new experience at work in 2024? (If you continue reading the answer is "yes"!) Are you ready to dive into "why" you do some of the things you do? Are you ready to make a list of things to stop doing and start doing? The folks at " The Ready " have some great suggestions to help bring more clarity to your intentions! While we probably can't change some of the things where we work we can make it feel better to work together. Here are some ideas to get you thinking...
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EXCITE Adult Vaccination Project
The Virginia Cooperative Extension EXCITE Team and the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) conducted a symposium on November 3rd, 2023 to discuss the EXCITE project funded through CDC and ways that Virginia Cooperative Extension Agents could get involved in vaccine education! This session introduced our vaccine ambassadors and their roles in their respective localities, provided background on adult vaccinations and the current vaccination schedule, and discussed approaches to communicating...
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Understanding the Cost of Convenience
Our society moves at a fast pace. Most any purchase is available at the push of a button, making delayed gratification a concept of the past. Do you want groceries or merchandise now? No problem. Are you hungry, but don’t have time to get takeout? Don’t worry, it can be conveniently delivered. The question is… what does all this convenience really cost?
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Nothing changes if nothing changes
Stats tell us up to 80% of people who attend a conference, training, or other professional development won't change anything in their lives after the experience. The notes, books, articles, and videos you diligently collected during the experience have been all but abandoned. The ironic part is that most people respond positively when asked if they are lifelong learners. They often take pride in describing themselves this way. If this is so, why do we find it so difficult to act on those...
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Identifying Child Sexual Abuse: Ways to Protect Children and Resources for Getting Help
Written by: Jason Jowers, MS, MFT April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to promote the safety and well-being of all children and families and to recognize the child welfare professionals and allies who work tirelessly to protect children and youth. When talking about child abuse, one of the toughest issues to face is child sexual abuse. According to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (2024), “Child sexual abuse is any interaction between a child and an adult (or...
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Community Based Instructor 3 - SNAP-Ed (Las Vegas)
The University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) appreciates your interest in employment at our growing institution. We want your application process to go smoothly and quickly. Final applications must be submitted prior to the close of the recruitment. If you need assistance or have questions regarding the application process, please contact our recruitment helpline at (775) 784-1495 or jobs@unr.edu . For UNR Med professional job postings, please contact the Office of Professional Recruitment at (775)...
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Culture Clues
Life is always teaching us stuff. Lately, it's reminded me that we're human beings, not human "doings". When we are in an environment focused on all the "doing" we often feel like a thing or a resource. The clues to this are displayed in a lack of hearing people say... I'm sorry I need help I don't know I made a mistake These clues may seem overly simplified, they aren't. They often indicate too much fear is present. When we don't feel safe, our moral courage is shut down and replaced with...
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Accelerating Innovation: Join Us for the 2024 Impact Collaborative Summit!
The 2024 Impact Collaborative Summit is approaching! The Summit is a dynamic event designed to boost organizational readiness and foster innovation for current New Technologies for Ag Extension (NTAE) Projects and ECOP Program Action Teams. The NTAE is a USDA NIFA grant in partnership with the University of New Hampshire, launching its first year in February 2024. This year, 22 NTAE projects from 14 states were selected to receive NTAE grant funding and support from the Extension Foundation!