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CYFAR 2008 Conference Proceedings
A record number of state, county and land-grant university staff gathered in San Antonio, Texas for the 2008 Children, Youth and Families At Risk pre-conference and conference May 6-9. Nearly 1,000 of them were there, and had the chance to exchange information, network and become re-inspired in their work.
Each of the three conference days included inspiring messages from keynote speakers and noted researchers, as well as the chance to learn from others’ experiences at dozens of workshops and research posters. At interact sessions (roundtable discussion groups) participants discussed common issues. A program showcase on Thursday gave everyone a chance to mingle and learn. During breaks and meals, conference attendees networked with fellow CYFAR project staff and partners and explored a wide range of university resources.
Pre-conference events on May 6 had a variety of extras for those who came early: the chance to learn about technology useful for programs, evaluation tools, and more. As a result of KaBoom!, a neighborhood playground built by conference participants now stands as a testament that CYFAR 2008 was held in San Antonio, and that the people who came cared about youth.
Funded by the US Cooperative Research, Education and Extension Service and state matching grants, CYFAR makes possible a wide range of programs and activities aimed at the approximately 18% of America’s 73 million children and youth categorized as being at risk for negative outcomes. These can include: infant mortality, undernourishment, abuse, neglect, poor health, substance abuse, teenage pregnancy, crime, violence, and academic underachievement due to family, community, social, political, and economic conditions they did not create. CYFAR marshals the resources of the Land Grant University & Cooperative Extension System to develop and deliver educational programs for at-risk youth.
The CYFAR Conference has become a Cooperative Extension System tradition, as more and more Extension professionals work with new immigrants and low-income families in urban, rural and suburban settings; and bring technology into communities with few resources and many needs. Regular evaluation of these programs repeatedly shows them to be effective.The archives of these proceedings will remain online for one year, accessed through the links below. Mark your calendars for next year’s conference, scheduled for May 18-21, 2009, in Baltimore, Maryland. See you again at CYFAR 2009!
