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May 2, 2008
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Thank you to the 100-plus counties/units for registering for the May 15 Strategic Plan session in Columbus. We're still waiting for just a handful of offices to register, but we're looking forward to a successful launch of OSU Extension's new Strategic Plan. An electronic copy of the plan will be sent early this month so everyone has a chance to review it before the statewide event.
The plan's core goals are to:
• Help build Ohio's future
• Define OSU Extension as the nation's leading Extension program
• Position Extension as the education & research resource for Ohio citizens
• Develop and sustain world-class Extension professionals
• Create a more diverse and inclusive Extension community
• Improve the quality of teaching & learning environments
We envision many benefits of the Strategic Plan, including:
• Increased financial resources
• Technological infrastructure and systems to support program delivery
• Support for critical organizational functions by capitalizing on staff skills
• Extension professionals equipped with necessary skills and knowledge for community-based programming informed by a global economy
• Programs that support key issues of stakeholders via interdisciplinary approach
Although registration is free, parking will be $5 per vehicle. And, if you've got scarlet and gray in your closet, don't forget to wear Buckeye colors for the day. See you on May 15.
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As the Strategic Plan has come together, we've defined several new elements. These were presented to the county directors last week, and we wanted to share them with everyone before our May 15 gathering:
Signature Programs
On May 15, we will introduce six "Signature Programs" -- interdisciplinary programs that have met with great success and that can be replicated in areas throughout the state. We'll be asking every county to offer at least one Signature Program each year. Materials, curriculum and evaluation tools are included, and Communications and Technology is working on marketing materials for each program. As we expand this project, we will be asking you to identify new Signature Programs to share in the future. Contributing to Signature Programs will be included in performance reviews.
Impact Area Leaders
We plan to conduct an internal search to hire leaders for our four Impact Areas:
• Advancing Employment and Income Opportunities
• Enhancing Ag and the Environment
• Preparing Youth for Success
• Strengthening Families and Communities
These will be A&P positions to help build Impact Area programming to address our focus areas, which are currently Economy, Education and Health. OSU Extension has many such programs (see the attached "Focus Area Chart" for examples), and we believe these leaders will help the organization facilitate this programming throughout the state. See the attached "Frequently Asked Questions" for more information.
The search to fill these positions will begin soon. See the attached files for position descriptions.
Release Time Dollars for New Grants
When OSU Extension employees apply for grants, it's common to build in release time to pay for the time spent on the grant-funded program. Beginning July 1, OSU Extension will retain 40 percent of those release-time dollars. This will release some state dollars on salary funding and will allow OSU Extension to invest additional dollars to support new programming. The other 60 percent of the release-time dollars will be given back to the originating unit, and our recommendation is for the unit to keep one-fifth of that money, and allow the faculty/staff person who originated the grant to receive the remaining funds to support their program.
Standardization of Cost Recovery Efforts
OSU Extension's current cost-recovery policy (online at http://extension.osu.edu/cost/index.html) needs some work. We are reviewing the policy so it can be fairly applied to Extension offices at every level across the state. Standardizing the implementation of cost recovery should allow us to bring more funds in to the state level, which can then be used to improve programming across the state.
IT Staff Changes
In an effort to coordinate and build consistency across the state in our use of and access to technology, we are reassigning the six Extension tech reps to report directly to Rob Luikart, the college's Chief Information Officer, beginning July 1. This will allow our technology staff members to work together as a team to implement security structures that the university is requiring as well as improve the effectiveness and efficiency of Extension's technology support. Although the reporting lines for these staff members will change, there will be no change to their physical work location, nor will there be a change of their support responsibilities to existing customers.
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As mentioned in recent Communiqués and the March Video Communiqué Update, Extension Administration (Keith Smith, Linda Kutilek, and Ken Martin) are visiting 30 counties prior to May 15 for "listening sessions." We have already visited these counties: Henry, Putnam, Van Wert, Huron, Crawford, Morrow, Morgan, Guernsey, Muskingum, Franklin, Ashland, Medina, Summit, Coshocton, Fairfield, Vinton, Gallia, Montgomery, Greene, Wood, Hancock, Sandusky, and Mahoning. Seven more counties are scheduled in the near future.
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Recently, you and/or your peers responded to the following questions:
Mean scores* that could indicate strong agreement…
• OSU Extension can serve as the front door to the university. (mean score of 8.40)
• Citizens of Ohio need Extension programming more today than ever before. (mean score of 8.16)
• Today’s issues must be addressed through a multi-disciplinary approach. (mean score of 7.94)
• It is critical that we work to meet the programming needs of under-reached audiences. (mean score of 7.75)
Mean scores* could indicate agreement …
• I have had the opportunity to provide input into the strategic planning process. (mean score of 6.78)
• OSU Extension has been willing to let go of programs as new needs emerge. (mean score of 5.70)
• I understand the process being used to develop Extension's strategic plan. (mean score of 5.63)
Mean scores* in the middle of the scale between agreement and disagreement …
• OSU Extension staffing patterns allow us to effectively meet needs of Ohio’s citizens. (mean score of 5.24)
*Using a scale of 1 (strongly disagree) to 10 (strongly agree)
You'll be asked twice a year to voluntarily participate in the Pulse Survey -- we hope you will choose to respond! Your opinions can help to make a difference! The above responses, when considered with past Pulse and other survey input, have led to organizational changes proposed in the Strategic Plan, such as:
- Options for flexible staffing patterns
- Action steps to expand outreach to new clientele
- Commitment to four multi-disciplinary Impact Areas
- Programming efforts focused on impacting today’s needs of Ohio’s citizens (Economy, Health, and Education)
- Prioritized programming through use of Signature Programs
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OSU Extension supports alternative work arrangements and flexible scheduling that helps employees integrate work and personal lives. Questions have been raised about how this works for Extension personnel. Please review the attached file for more general information and a link to a PDF file from the OSU Extension Policy Handbook for further details.
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OSU Extension employees sometimes volunteer at OSU Extension programs and events. Doing so is certainly appreciated, but all employees should be aware of official guidelines that determine when such efforts are appropriate. Please see the attached document for guidelines for both hourly and salary employees, as well as links to the Code of Federal Regulations pertaining to the Fair Labor Standards Act.
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Extension's web site for selling publications and other educational materials, eStore, has begun accepting credit cards. Individuals will still be encouraged to buy materials from their local county Extension office. A strong incentive to purchase from counties will be the reduced price that counties offer as well as saving on shipping and handling. Ohio residents could save half the price if they purchase Extension educational materials directly from their county Extension office as opposed to ordering through eStore. However, for those who prefer the convenience of ordering online with a credit card, we are very pleased that this service is now available. Please contact Dave Scardena at 614-292-9607 or scardena.1@cfaes.osu.edu with any questions or concerns. eStore can be found at: http://estore.osu-extension.org/.
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To evaluate the impact of OSU Extension's youth financial education curriculum "Real Money, Real World," a statewide evaluation of Ohio 4-H programs using the curriculum was conducted in 2007. Local Extension professionals had an opportunity to apply for small grants provided by the Ohio 4-H Foundation to be used to implement the program. Funded counties as well as a few additional non-funded counties submitted data for the evaluation. In all, 3,563 students in 47 schools contributed data.
The outcomes of this statewide evaluation showed that the use of the Real Money, Real World curriculum yields positive results. Data indicated that the program made a dramatic difference in raising youths' awareness about the costs to maintain a household, as well as an awareness of the interrelationships of education, job, and money. Findings indicated that the curriculum accomplishes its goals of changing attitudes and motivating students to plan for behavior changes concerning financial management, education, and career choices. Seventy-five percent of the youth increased their knowledge about financial topics "a lot," and nearly two-thirds of the students intended to make changes in spending habits, savings habits, and future planning.
Youth reported that participating in the program was very beneficial, and teacher feedback indicated that youth were very involved and interested in the topics presented.
The full report includes background information on the issue as well as evaluation data that might be useful for sharing with local stakeholders, grant applications, reporting, etc. To view the report or an executive summary of the statewide evaluation, please see http://www.ohio4h.org/workforceprep.
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The National Extension Diversity Committee is accepting nominations for the 2008 National Extension Diversity Award. The deadline is June 2. The attached brochure has the details. Special note: ECOP has approved a $5,000 cash award to accompany this recognition at the NASULGC Annual Meeting, Nov. 9-11, 2008, in Chicago.
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