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Story Title Program Educators
Youth Gain Valuable Experience Through Employment Opportunities Franklin - 4-H Youth Development Abby Langdon Saad El-Din M. Moustafa
Is this related to an Equal Program/Employment Yes Opportunity? Executive Summary Cornell Cooperative Extension Franklin County affords youth 1st time employment opportunities by incorporating entry level positions into programming. I s s u e s / N e e d s a n d Unemployment rate in Franklin County is currently 8.2%, well Audiences above that of the NYS and national average of 7.5% and 7.2% respectfully. The unemployment rate on the St. Regis Mohawk tribe is significantly higher at 18.6%. In November, ALCOA announced it would close its smelting operations in Massena; eliminating an additional 487 jobs across the region. As jobs become more and more scarce the need to provide youth with resume building experience, interview experience, and job experience becomes crucial. Extension Responses
Funds secured through the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) have allowed for the addition of a 1st time summer employment opportunity to a program participant in the National Mentoring Program (NMP). An entry level Summer Day Camp counselor position was awarded to the successful candidate who submitted their resume on time and successfully went through the interview process. In an effort to comply with the Office of Family and Children Services (OCFS) with regards to ratio, 4 entry level, teen academic mentor positions were made available to successful high school students/candidates at an afterschool program coined “Bulldog Hour” at Chateaugay Central.
A c c o m p l i sh men ts an d With the assistance of CCE staff and district Guidance Impacts Counselors, candidates built and submitted their own resumes before the position closing deadline. Applicants then went through the interview process with successful candidates being hired at minimum wage. Following hire, new staff received an orientation and periodic professional development including; 1st Aide/CPR training, classroom management, and behavioral management. Performance evaluations are given annually at program closure (end of June). Teen mentors are provided with a position description and
Teen mentors are provided with a position description and program staff handbook from which they must follow the same guidelines/expectations as any other paid staff. Districts were unable to hire students as employees and have expressed gratitude to CCE Franklin for doing so since taking over the program. Parents of program participants have likewise expressed gratitude towards teen academic mentors for their involvement with homework, tutoring, and school enrichment activities as youth respond positively when programming is delivered in part by their peers. Collaborators
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), St. Regis Mohawk Tribe, Salmon River Central School District, Chateaugay Central School District, Greater Malone area YMCA
Special funding sources (if any) National 4-H Council- National Mentoring Program (NMP5), Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
