Welcome
The MU Extension 4-H LIFE is a positive youth development program created to address the needs of children with incarcerated parents. The program is a partnership between land grant university extension agents, corrections and 4-H volunteers who mentor youth during monthly 4-H Family Club meetings in the prison visiting room. Community volunteers also provide important support as the 4-H LIFE youth engage in ongoing 4-H activities based on the essential elements of positive youth development. 

National Volunteer Week - Thank you 4-H LIFE Volunteer Mentors!

We would like to thank the following volunteers who have faithfully served as positive mentors for the Missouri 4-H LIFE Program during the past year. Your time and effort is appreciated by all!

• Annette, Chillicothe Correctional Center

• Cindy, Women's Eastern.. Correctional Center

• Eleanor, Jefferson City Correctional Center

• Fred, Women's Eastern and Jefferson City Correctional Center

• Jamie, Women's Eastern.. Correctional Center

• Janice, Jefferson City Correctional Center

• Naghma, 4-H Center for Youth Development

• Surabhi, 4-H Center for Youth Development

• Tonia, Missouri Eastern Correctional Center

• Wendell, Missouri Eastern Correctional Center

Partnership with Missouri Union Presbytery continues

In fall 2012, the Missouri Union Presbytery Criminal Justice Mission Team took on leadership for the "Mail Kit" mission project which benefits children with incarcerated parents. The project consists of decorating empty shoe boxes and then filling them with basic writing supplies so the children have what they need to write letters and journal. The project continues, with over 100 mail kits collected and distributed to children as of April 2013. Thank you Missouri Union Presbytery!

Quick Resources

4-H LIFE videos

4-H LIFE Brochure for Web Viewing (PDF)
Print Version (PDF

4-H LIFE Program Overview (PDF version of PPT)

Program Information Packet - provides 4-H LIFE program basics
Complete Set of 4-H LIFE Program Packet (PDF)

Packet in sections:

• Page 1: What is the University of Missouri Extension 4-H LIFE Program? (PDF)
• Page 2: Program Outcomes (PDF)
• Page 3: Why Get Involved in the MU Extension 4-H LIFE Program? (PDF)
• Page 4: Program Model (PDF)
• Page 5: Media Recognition, Awards and Honors (PDF)
• Page 6: Become a 4-H LIFE Program Volunteer Menor (PDF)
• Page 7: Program Service Expansion (PDF)
• Page 8: Current MU Extension 4-H LIFE Program Sites (PDF)

Staff Guide
A detailed resource for extension faculty interested in replicating the 4-H LIFE Program

The University of Missouri Extension's 4-H Center for Youth Development is honored to work with the National 4-H Council and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) to expand 4-H LIFE beyond Missouri.

• 4-H National Mentoring Program Newsletter, March 2011 (PDF)
• 4-H National Mentoring Program Newsletter, September 2011 (PDF)

Children of Incarcerated Parents: An Action Plan for Federal Policymakers (PDF)
Federal recommendations, including reference to 4-H LIFE Program as a promising parent education program.

Help prevent child abuse by proudly displaying
the official Children's Trust Fund (CTF) license plate on your vehicle.

Find out more at CTF License Plate.