4-H MILITARY EXTENSION EDUCATOR PROGRAM

The 4-H Military Extension Educator Programprovides technical assistance to Department of Defense (DoD) Child and Youth Programs (CYP) staff, and works collaboratively with 4-H and Extension faculty and staff throughout the Land-Grant University system to support and develop positive youth development programs and activities on and off military installations around the world. This includes working with The Ohio State University to enhance Virtual Lab School offerings for DoD youth development professionals, with Purdue University's Military Teen Adventure Camp Grant Program, and with DoD's Office of Military Community and Family Policy to increase awarenessof programs within DoD. This project also focuses on planning, coordinating, and organizing teenleadership opportunities such as the Joint Service Teen Council and attendance at National 4-HConference. Additionally, the program supports efforts to strengthen community support for military families to access opportunities to support military-connected youth and teens in their emotional, social, and practical development. Other activities focus on DoD CYP special initiatives such as Month of theMilitary Child, Military Youth of the Year, National Youth Science Day, Operation Megaphone,Childcare programming, and National 4-H Conference.