Uban Affairs: Other Programs

Program areas include, but not limited to:

A Comprehensive Breast Cancer Education Project
The Comprehensive Breast Cancer Project is designed to enhance awareness and knowledge of breast cancer, and to influence the way women respond to this health issue. Implemented in partnership with the American Cancer Society, project training resources and activities address the following: 1) the importance of early detection, 2) breast cancer facts and risk factors, and 3) cancer survivor support groups.
A Youth Mentoring Program Initiative
Specific objectives are to: 1) provide guidance for teenage parents through individual and group mentoring settings that will inspire teens to met the challenges of teen parenthood, 2) teach basic life, nurturing and survival skills for teenage parents and children, 3) collaborate with educators, community leaders, and local agencies to identify mentors and service providers to promote the general well being of young parents, 4) serve as a support system to young parents learning to cope with parenting stress while pursuing educational goals and preparing for the job market, 5) provide referral service to health care agencies, childcare agencies, and educational institutions that can meet the needs of the child and the teen parent, and 6) focus on advancing into program activities which address other youth audiences including emerging adolescents, and minority males.
Health Education Initiatives Impacting Underserved Populations
The Health Education Initiatives Impacting Underserved Populations project was designed to address some of the health education needs of these high risk, undeserved audiences. Specific objectives are to: 1) reduce risk factors of chronic diseases and promote changes to support healthier lift-styles, 2) promote survival skills for the underserved populations of urban/rural communities through collaborative involvement of the State Health Department, State Human Resources, health care professionals, and allied health agencies, and 3) increase knowledge on how to make healthier food choices and to use pharmaceuticals appropriately.
Trapped in Poverty, Trapped by Abuse and Trapped in Poor Health
Within the State of Alabama, thousands of families are adversely affected by acts of abuse and conflict which arise within their own communities and even within their own homes. Violence and abuse, coupled with poor health, limited resources and welfare reform issues, place many urban families at risk for meeting basic core needs and having coping skills necessary for survival. Trapped in Poverty, Trapped by Abuse and Trapped by Poor Health is a media driven program which focuses on strategies to intervene with these problems by: 1) designing and implementing media outreach programs; 2) using mass media outlets to heighten awareness of programs, services and solutions available to victims; 3) providing educational training on anger resolution, welfare reform and domestic violence; and 4) partnering with other agencies to form coalitions and networks with National Poverty and Abuse Centers to identify and use current basic practice data and solution to support family empowerment through public communication.
Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-650-6522
Valuing Differences and Managing Diversity
Through the Valuing Differences and Managing Diversity Project, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System is initiating programs, establishing collaborations, and promoting resources and materials which support enhanced awareness and appreciation of cultural differences. Project activities encourage environments that foster and sustain diversity within communities by exposing citizens to multicultural events which go beyond providing mere awareness of other cultures, to include adapting to or integrating cultural differences.
Work Force Preparation: Finding and Securing Employment
There is a dire need for viable programs which address job strategies for tough times. The System's work force preparation efforts are responding to this need. The Work Force Preparation: Finding and Securing Employment Project lends educational and training support to Alabamians who are seeking opportunities for advancement by adapting, developing, and delivering basic employment and job search programs.

Through multi-phased training, the primary goal of the project is it assist newly skilled and non-skilled workers to find their place in the work fore. The project will ultimately increase the employability of a cadre of workers. Moreover, project outcomes will indirectly impact other health, economic and social problems associated with unemployment.
Youth Entrepreneurship
The primary focus of this program is to provide meaningful education experiences that will cultivate interest in nontraditional careers while preparing youth for the employment challenges of the next century. Specific objectives are to: 1) provide education and guidance to youth entreprenuers (groups or individuals) interested in starting and operating a business; 2) create a network of agencies and businesses in support of youth entrepreneur project (identify community mentors through job shadowing); and 3) provide statewide events for youth entreprenerurs such as the "Summer/Spring Career Enrichment Camp."

Urban Forestry
The urban forest is the interaction of people and plants wherever they coexist. Urban forest can include the dogwoods and crabapples in our backyards as well as the street tree planting of maples and oaks and the expanses of our city parks. Trees and plants in our most urbanized and degraded neighborhoods produce a sense of community and vitality for all residents.

The Urban Forestry Program was created to:

Educate a broad audience about the essential role plants play in the quality of our lives, Support efforts in the protection, enhancement and/or restoration of natural resources in urban communities, and
Promote communication and partnerships among groups interested in natural resources management, education and equity.

Parenting Programs
Education materials that address basic parenting issues, concentrating on positive approaches.

Programs in Parenting include:

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren - Collaboration with or the establishment of support groups that address the legal, policy, and emotional issues of grandparents in the role of the primary parent of grandchildren. Families in Divorce Transition - Educational programs that provide child focused parenting and co-parenting techniques for separated and divorced parents. Additionally, educational programs in the form of workshop sessions for children whose parents are separated, divorced, or in the process of getting a divorce. The programs help children cope with their parents' divorce and the formation of a new family structure.
Parenting Long-Distance - Programs/materials that support families while parenting long distance. Programs are appropriate for children separated from parents because of divorce, incarcerated parent, commuter marriages, extended stays with grandparents or other relatives, and grandparents who wish to maintain close contact and relationships with grandchildren.

Environmental Education
Environmental Education is critical for today's youth. Youth must learn to be good stewards of the environment - not only for their own well-being but for the very future of the planet. Part of teaching youth environmental stewardship is instructing them in appreciation of the various natural resources; helping them understand the interaction and relationships between rural and urban components of the environment; and introducing them to the many career opportunities that exist within the natural resources areas. Adult environmental education programs are also important for proper landowner management and education.

Programs in Environmental Education include:

Forestry in the Classroom - this targets 5th grade youth in Montgomery county, and has two components: an in-school instructional day, and a field trip to a TREASURE FOREST, hosted by the Montgomery County Treasure Forest Association and the Montgomery County Natural Resources Planning Committee. Natural Resources Tour - an adult-oriented educational program which highlights the economic impact that environmental-related business and industry has on the Mongtomery area, as well as educational workshops on topics such as Fish Pond management, Timber management, and Wildlife management. Senior Citizen Fishing Day - annually held in the spring (May) at Lagoon Park; co-sponsored by the Montgomery County Recreation Board and the City Parks and Recreation Board.
Firearms Safety Education/Shooting Sports - Because an estimated 85% of Alabama households have at least one firearm within, firearms safety is an important topic in today's culture of violence. Research conducted by the Naitonal Safety Council proves that educating youth about firearms safety greatly reduces the incidence of accidental shootings as well as the incidence of gun violence among youth.

Resource Management
Resource Management is a process used by individuals and families to achieve goals. These resources help individuals and families shape their values and attitudes, as they strive to reach their goals. Goals are realized by decision making and problem solving. Essentially, as individuals and families identify their needs and wants through the resources management process, they will realize the full impact of the goals they pursue through planning, implementing and evaluating.

Programs in the area of Resource Management include:

Life Smarts
Objective: To provide an educational opportunity that develops the consumer and marketplace knowledge and skills of teenagers in a fun way and rewards them for this knowledge.
The Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)
Objective: To educate Federal benefit recipients through a financial literacy program about the advantages of having their money sent to their banks via Direct Deposit.
Senior Lifestyles and Fraud
Objective: To educate seniors about the number one consumer problem in America- FRAUD.
Financial Security in Later Life Self
Objective: To promote self-sufficiency leading to economic security for all consumers and families.
Savings & Debt Reduction
Objective: To educate individuals and families about the importance of saving money, and reducing debt.