The Advancing the 4-H Thriving Model task for is a chartered entity of the 4-H Program Leaders’ Working Group (PLWG). The task force is chartered for a three-year period (July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2022) to facilitate further development and implementation of the 4-H Thriving Model across the national 4-H system. The result of this work will be alignment of the 4-H program nationally around a consistent model of youth development, leading to enhanced collective evaluation measurement and impact results.
Task Force Purpose and Scope
- Development of professional development training materials and related supports and opportunities for 4-H professionals and volunteers. Training professionals and volunteers in how to plan and implement 4-H programs with fidelity to the 4-H Thriving Model is essential if all 4-H programs are to meet 4-H’s intended outcomes. Currently there is no consistent PYD training that guides the implementation of 4-H programs to promote PYD.
- Continued research on the 4-H Thriving Model. Continued research is needed to ensure the model’s applicability across the 4-H programs’ settings and youth populations. While a “main effect” has been established for the model, the next step in the research process is testing “what works, for what youth, under what conditions.”
- Organizational learning and alignment. The 4-H program has many entities involved in its leadership and implementation. It is essential that all groups are united in one effort to describe, plan, and conduct 4-H programs under one unified model. To do this, a group of 4-H Thriving Model champions is needed to provide organizational learning & support across all the major entities, helping to ensure alignment in the use of the 4-H Thriving Model.
- Advance and support the accomplishment of the 4-H Youth Development: A 2025 Vision National Strategic Plan, particularly in the areas of the Power of Youth and Extraordinary Places to Learn.