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Hood River County Demonstration Site

Goals and Objectives

The central goal of the Oregon Outreach demonstration sites is to expand the participation of Latino children and families in educational programming that focuses on the development of knowledge, skills, and competencies that will lead to roles as participating, productive, and caring adults. Specific educational goals and objectives have been developed at each site to further define the central goal as it applies to local needs and assets.

The list of educational goals and objectives is considered to be a "working document" and is modified and refined as the program matures. It is designed to communicate a shared understanding of the program's focus and content, keep program activities on target and consistent with the identified focus and content, and provide direction for assessing program outcomes. It further offers a resource to draw upon in developing plans of work, designing or evaluating curriculum materials, preparing supplemental funding proposals, recruiting potential collaborators, and soliciting community support.

The educational goals and objectives for the Hood River County Demonstration Site appear below. (For a summary of program results related to these goals and objectives, see key outcomes.)

Goals

Discussion of the findings from the local needs and assets analysis led to the development of two goals relating to educational programming:

• Latino youth will participate in positive development opportunities, improving their school performance and becoming contributing community citizens.
  
  
• Latino adults will become more actively involved in issues and decisions that affect the Latino community.

Objectives

The program goals are being addressed using the following objectives to design, deliver, and evaluate educational programming. Included in the parentheses are some descriptors of program content relating to each objective. Examples of learning activities supporting each objective are also identified.

By participating in the after-school program, the summer program, and additional activities, Latino youth will:

• Increase cultural awareness and understanding. (Express pride in their heritage, gain knowledge of their own culture, respect other cultures, and better understand similarities and differences between cultures.)
  
  Supporting activities: Celebrate and observe Mexican holidays, participate in cultural arts projects (making pinatas, tissue paper flowers, clay sculpture, etc.), view culturally focused movies and videos, take culturally related field trips, and discuss culturally related issues. Latino community and family members interact with the group in a variety of roles.
  
  
• Develop and apply leadership skills. (Teamwork, cooperation, conflict management, taking responsibility, interacting with peers and adults, and volunteer opportunities.)
  
  Supporting activities: Youth plan and organize group, school, and community activities; assist with preparation for group sessions; facilitate group process (encouraging others to listen, participate, etc.); and reinforce learning through interactive games and dialogue.
  
  
• Acquire life skills that will facilitate involvement in school and community activities. (Accepting responsibility, cooperating with others, communication skills, computer literacy, and community service.)
  
  Supporting activities: Youth learn computer skills through presentations and hands-on computer activities; cooperation skills through interactive games; conflict management and communication skills through presentations and practice; respect for self and others through interactive games, role playing, and modeling; other cultures and traditions through presentations and related activities; and responsibility through planning and carrying out activities related to the group, the school, and the community.

By participating in Oregon Outreach programming efforts, Latino adults will:

• Increase capacity to become actively involved in community decisions affecting Latino families, children, and youth. (Accessing community groups and resources; interacting with local decision makers; expressing needs, concerns, and opinions; supporting efforts and causes of family and community members; participating in community organizations, groups, and committees; supporting children in school through attending parent/teacher meetings and facilitating involvement in youth development activities.)
  
  Supporting activities: The Board Member's Workshop, featuring interactive discussion, case studies, resource panels, and supplemental written materials; a Cultural Sensitivity Workshop for members of the community, focusing on cultural values and expectations, and how to become involved with community groups and boards; monthly meetings to provide training and development opportunities; mainstreaming selected adults into Extension's FCL (Family and Community Leadership) training; and working jointly with Mid-Columbia Centro Cultural to create Unidad Latina, a coalition designed to provide a way to mobilize the Latino community and facilitate its involvement in the greater Hood River county community.
  
  
• Enhance and apply personal leadership skills by becoming a 4-H youth development volunteer. (Working with children in a group setting, setting group goals, and planning and carrying out group activities.)
  
  Supporting activities: Orientation and training activities offered to address specific volunteer roles—Oregon Outreach resource person, summer program volunteer, 4-H club leader, advisory group member, and so on. Skills practiced by working directly with youth.