Community Development

Extension Educators in Family and Consumer Science and 4-H Youth Development work as a team to facilitate the State Strengthening Program. They are supported by the local project directors, Rosa McCoy at Pleasant View Gardens and Beverly Ludy at the Samuel Mudd School, Each of these sites works with existing and new collaborators to support the project. These programs exist, in essence, to match Federal resources with community, youth, and family needs. To accomplish this task, local project staff receive support from state project coordinators and a team of project evaluators.Â

In essence the project intends to develop and implement a program of leadership development aimed at supporting children, youth, and families, based upon assumption of strengths rather than deficits, which gives positive recognition to the role of community leaders. The project encourages the exchange the of information with and among adults and youth about children, youth, families and neighborhood, and community. The project reinforces and encourages family and community activities; encourages family and community activities; encourages mobilization of informal social supports; facilitates concerted action by program participants on behalf of their children.Â

A key feature of state strengthening projects is computer connectivity. Computers purchased with grant funds will be installed at each extension office and at community project sites. The Maryland project staff at the state and local level utilize cutting edge technology to stay in touch with each other and the larger community.Â

Outcomes 2002 Goals
Building Strong Communities in Maryland provides an opportunity for Maryland Cooperative Extension to address several Outcomes 2002 areas:Â

1. Building and Sustaining the Family and its ResourcesÂ
2. Enabling Youth to Reach their Potential as Individuals and CitizensÂ
3. Enabling Local Leaders & Decision Makers to Achieve Beneficial Community OutcomesÂ

For more information, contact Mike Sarich

Last updated: 03/13/2009