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 that emphasize responsibility.  4-H LIFE videos

4-H LIFE families are joining the Revolution of Responsibility in a number of ways! In the month of April and May alone, 4-H LIFE program participants made the following contributions to charitable organizations:

Knotted, fleece blankets to the Salvation Army Emergency Lodge, Jefferson City Agape House,  Birthright of Mid-Missouri and Ashbury Heights Assisted Living Center.

Mother's Day cards to Ashbury Heights residents.

In addition, the Potosi 4-H LIFE Program Offender Organization donated funds to the Missouri 4-H Foundation so that youth can attend 4-H summer camps.

Thank you to the Madison 4-H Club in Monroe County, Missouri!

The Madison 4-H Club (Monroe County, Missouri) recently made and donated Mail Kits for children with incarcerated parents. The mail kits will enable children to have all their basic writing supplies in one handy location for journaling and/or writing to their incarcerated parent if family bonds are approved and intact. 

4-H LIFE Quick Resources

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

4-H LIFE Program Overview slide show
Overview of the 4-H LIFE program (PDF version of PPT)

4-H LIFE 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)

4-H LIFE 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.

Last Revised 14-May-12