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4-H Living Interactive Family Education (LIFE) Program is a family-strengthening program for children of offenders and their families.
4-H LIFE Brochure (PDF 287 KB)
4-H LIFE Brochure (PDF 2.87 MB)

4-H LIFE Program
The goal of the 4-H LIFE Program is to provide a strong, healthy and nurturing family environment while helping the incarcerated parent become a positive role model.  The target audience for the program is incarcerated parents and their children, grandchildren, and other family members.  The program consists of three components:   

• Parenting Skills Class - Incarcerated parents who participate in the 4-H LIFE Program attend regularly scheduled parenting skills classes to develop and improve the skills needed to interact in a positive, age-appropriate way with their children.
   

• Planning Meeting - At the monthly planning meeting, the incarcerated parents work with Extension faculty and Department of Corrections staff to help design and plan the 4-H youth and family activities for the upcoming 4-H Family meeting.  The original 4-H LIFE group at Potosi also uses this time to plan fundraisers for the 4-H Club youth members.
   

• 4-H LIFE Family/Club Meeting - The 4-H LIFE Family/Club meeting takes place monthly during visitation at the correctional center.  Children, their incarcerated parents, and caregivers work together on traditional 4-H activities such as arts and crafts, demonstrations and other curricula-based activities focused on topics such as communication, decision making, and problem solving.  Working together as a family on 4-H activities gives children an opportunity to show their parents their ability and intellect. It also gives the parents an opportunity to show their children that they can provide capable and caring parental guidance.

The University of Missouri Extension received a five-year grant in May 2006 to expand the 4-H LIFE Program originally developed at the Potosi Correctional Center.  As the 4-H LIFE Family/Club Meetings grow, we hope to connect the youth to community 4-H opportunities such as local 4-H Clubs, additional 4-H projects and 4-H events.  The Missouri 4-H LIFE Program currently operates in three correctional centers.

• Algoa Correctional Center, Jefferson City, Missouri
  Cole County Level 2 minimum security correctional center for men

The Algoa project was begun in January 2007 with funding from the National Children, Youth and Families at Risk (CYFAR) Sustainable Communities Project.  The project is directed by a regional human development specialist and implemented by a 4-H youth program associate who work with the correctional center staff to plan, implement and evaluate parenting and planning meetings with eligible offenders who have a current relationship with younger, approved family members. The 4-H LIFE Family/Club Meeting meeting occurs on the third Saturday of each month.

For more information about the Algoa project, contact N. Nesselhauf at nesselhaufn@missouri.edu.

• Potosi Correctional Center (PCC), Mineral Point, Missouri
  Washington County Level 5 maximum security correctional center for men

4-H LIFE was developed at the Potosi Correctional Center in 2000 as a pilot project funded by the National Children, Youth and Families at Risk (CYFAR) New Communities Project.  The CYFAR grant funding for this program ended in 2005; however, the program continues through the ongoing efforts of local Extension faculty and corrections staff.  4-H LIFE continues to advocate and raise funds for children and youth who participate in the Potosi 4-H LIFE project.

At the Potosi project, 4-H LIFE is considered an official offender organization by the correctional center.  The 4-H LIFE Family/Club Meeting takes place once a month.

For more information about the Potosi project, contact Lynna Lawson at lawsonl@missouri.edu

• Women's Eastern Reception, Diagnostic & Corrections Center (WERDCC), Vandalia, Missouri
  Audrain County Level one (minimum) to level five (maximum) security facility for women and reception/diagnostic center

The WERDCC project began in January 2007 with funding from the National Children, Youth and Families at Risk (CYFAR) Sustainable Communities Project. The project is directed by a 4-H youth development specialist and implemented by a 4-H youth program associate who work with the correctional center staff to plan, implement and evaluate parenting and planning meetings with eligible offenders who have a current relationship with younger, approved family members.

The 4-H LIFE Family/Club Meeting occurs on the fourth Saturday of each month.

For more information about the WERDCC project, contact E. Kloeppel at kloeppele@missouri.edu

4-H LIFE Program Results
The 4-H LIFE evaluation has revealed significant outcomes for the children and youth participating in the 4-H LIFE program. Outcomes include improved self-esteem and social skills, a reduced sense of isolation, and strengthened relationships with their parent.

The 4-H LIFE Evaluation Reports are downloadable at Evaluation.

Dr. Elizabeth G. Dunn, evaluator for the original 4-H LIFE program at Potosi Correctional Center, developed a Web-based Evaluation of the 4-H LIFE Program.

The 4-H LIFE program has also received a number of national awards that are listed in Recognition.

Last Revised 17-Apr-08