4-H LIFE Program Staff Guide

The 4-H LIFE Program Staff Guide was developed as a resource for those who are interested in replicating the 4-H LIFE Program. 

Our hope is that this guide will encourage land grant university extension faculty and staff, correctional center administrators, human and social service professionals, and others who are interested in impacting the lives of children with an incarcerated parent or family member to begin their own 4-H LIFE program.

The 4-H LIFE Guide is rich with references to supplemental materials available below that can be modified according to the needs of the program.  Each correctional center will have its unique population, regulations, facilities and culture.

4-H LIFE Guide - A Program for Children with Incarcerated Family Members (49 pages)

Supplemental Materials 

Note:  All documents in PDF
The materials are provided as samples primarily from the University of Missouri Extension 4-H LIFE Potosi pilot program.  Please check with your state correctional center and extension for current forms used.

Chapter 1

1. 4-H LIFE Evaluation Methodology, April 2002

2. 4-H LIFE Impact Report including Focus Group Protocol, Aug 2002

3. 4-H LIFE Impact Report including Evaluation Instrument, May 2003

4. 4-H LIFE Case Study by National Collaboration for Youth, November 2005

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Chapter 2

5. Constitution and Bylaws for the LIFE 4-H at PCC

6. Offender 4-H LIFE Membership Application

7. Permission for Family Contact

8. 4-H LIFE Program Expectations and Goals

9. Curricula Used at Potosi 4-H LIFE

10. Missouri 4-H is....

11. 4-H LIFE Club Agenda

12. Family Activities Used at Potosi

13. Family and New Friend Get-Acquainted Bingo

14. Missouri 4-H Youth Group Enrollment Form Y631

15. Missouri 4-H Member Enrollment Form Y630

16. Guidelines for 4-H Single Project Clubs

17. Sample Letter to MU Extension 4-H Youth Specialist

18. Sample Letter to Caregiver (regarding local 4-H)

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Chapter 3

19. About University of Missouri Extension

    Missouri County MU Extension Centers
    or
    Online directory at http://extension.missouri.edu/directory/Places.aspx

20. Missouri Department of Corrections Steps to Become a Volunteer in Corrections

21. Volunteer Recruitment Flyer (general public)

22. Missouri Department of Corrections Visiting Application (for family)

23. Missouri Department of Corrections Special Visit Request (for offender)

24. FCN Facts and Issues: Why Maintain Relationships?

25. Invitation Letter to Caregivers to Join 4-H LIFE

26. Youth Interest Survey

27. 4-H LIFE Program Participant Recruitment and Eligibility Process Flowchart

28. Sample of Monthly Memo to the Correctional Center
    (for Visit and Supply Approval)

29. 4-H LIFE Family/Club Meeting Expanded Description

30. 4-H LIFE Reflection Survey

31. 4-H LIFE Resources

32. Suggested Reading for Children of Offenders and Their Families

33. Suggested Reading for Parents or Caregivers

Last Revised 7-Aug-09