Vanessa Spero
0000-0002-8937-0512

Specialist

Publications

Promising Practices for Working With Youth With Disabilities

Vanessa Spero, Darcy Cole, Vera Bullard, Jennifer Cushman, Tara Dorn, Kelsey Dugan, Crystal Perry, and Jennifer Taylor-Winney

The most recent data from the National Center for Education Statistics report that 15% of individuals aged 3–21 are served under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. This means that 15% of youth are diagnosed with a disability that has the potential to affect their success academically and in the workforce. As a youth development organization, 4-H programs should anticipate at least 15% of their population, if not more, to have a diagnosed disability. As youth development professionals, we are tasked with meeting the needs of youth with disabilities through proactive and reactive planning strategies. This also includes professionals being flexible, accommodating, and ready to foster Positive Youth Development best practices.

School-Based 4-H Programming Series: Designing Programs Based on Time Involvement

Vanessa Spero

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet. in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Youth development

School-Based 4-H Programming: Working With Partners Effectively

Vanessa Spero

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet. in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Developing organizational and volunteer systems to support youth development

School-Based 4-H Programming: Getting Started

Vanessa Spero and Susan Munyan

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet for Academic and 4-H/Youth audience(s). in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Developing organizational and volunteer systems to support youth development.

School-Based 4-H Programming: Middle and High School–Age Youth Programs

Vanessa Spero-Swingle

All youth, regardless of age, are at risk for engaging in negative behaviors that can get them into trouble during the afterschool hours when parents and other family members are at work. Middle and high school-age youth are at an age where they can most benefit from increasing opportunities to participate in programs with a positive adult role model, gain necessary life skills, and increase their knowledge of accessible opportunities. Middle and high school programs have the potential to support graduation rates and increase post-secondary school success. This publication of the UF/IFAS Florida 4-H Youth Development Program provides strategies for success in developing these programs in your community.

4-H Afterschool Resource Guide: Starting 4-H Clubs in After-School Programs

Sharon K. Junge (original lead), Vanessa Starr Spero (lead); Niki Crawson, JR Davis, Tara Dorn, Beth Rasa Edwards, Stacy Hall, Karen Henry, Heather Janney, Beth Kerr, Andrea Lazzari, Abby Morgan, Kristie Popa, Cindy Smalley, Melinda Souers, Katie St

This resource guide is designed to be used by Extension/4-H professionals and after-school providers to deliver well-formed, positive youth development programs in after-school sites. It includes information on initiating the development of 4-H clubs at after-school sites, volunteer training resources and exercises, how to sustain the clubs, and connections to the community and beyond. The original educational material was edited and revised for this edition by the National Association of 4-H Youth Development Professionals Afterschool Working Group, led by Vanessa Spero. Published by the 4-H Youth Development Department, UF/IFAS Extension, March 2024.

4-H Afterschool Resource Guide: 4-H Youth Development Programming in Hard-to-Reach Communities

Sharon K. Junge (original lead), Vanessa Starr Spero (lead); Niki Crawson, J. R. Davis, Tara Dorn, Beth Rasa Edwards, Stacy Hall, Karen Henry, Heather Futch, Beth Kerr, Andrea Lazzari, Abby Morgan, Kristie Popa, Cindy Smalley, Melinda Souers, Kateli

This is part of a series of guides that have been updated with permission from 4-H National Council. This resource guide is designed to be used by Extension professionals and after-school providers to deliver positive youth development programs in hard-to-reach areas or populations. It includes information on identifying hard-to-reach audiences and potential challenges to their participation in 4-H programming. The original educational material was edited and revised for this edition by the National Association of 4-H Youth Development Professionals Afterschool Working Group, led by Vanessa Spero. Published by the 4-H Youth Development Department, UF/IFAS Extension, May 2023.

Universal Design Learning (UDL) for Extension Audiences

Vanessa Spero

Universal Design Learning (UDL) is about designing for the minority in the learning environment to meet the needs of all. This publication explains the principles of Universal Design Learning—engagement, representation, and action and expression—and how to incorporate them into lesson plans. As practitioners, 4-H Extension agents and other professionals who educate youth can support learners by incorporating these UDL principles.

4-H Afterschool Resource Guide: Teens as Volunteer Leaders

Sharon K. Junge (original lead), Vanessa Starr Spero (lead); Niki Crawson, J. R. Davis, Tara Dorn, Beth Rasa Edwards, Stacy Hall, Karen Henry, Heather Janney, Beth Kerr, Andrea Lazzari, Abby Morgan, Kristie Popa, Cindy Smalley, Melinda Souers, Katel

This resource guide is designed to be used by Extension/4-H professionals to deliver teen-led curricula in after-school programs. It includes an overview of program delivery, recruitment processes and training outlines. The original educational material was edited and revised for this edition by the National Association of 4-H Youth Development Professionals Afterschool Working Group, led by Vanessa Spero. Published by the 4-H Youth Development Department, UF/IFAS Extension, April 2023.

4-H Afterschool Resource Guide: Developing and Managing a 4-H Afterschool Program

Sharon K. Junge (original lead), Vanessa Spero (lead), Laura Valencia, Niki Crawson, J. R. Davis, Tara Dorn, Stacy Hall, Karen Henry, Heather Janney, Beth Kerr, Andrea Lazzari, Abby Morgan, Kristie Popa, Cindy Smalley, Melinda Souers, Katelin Stenro

This guide will assist Extension professionals in establishing new after-school programs in communities with insufficient programs available for school-age youth. The chapters cover a range of steps and considerations, including conducting needs assessments, hiring and training staff, and program sustainability. However, this guide cannot cover everything required. Additional resources that provide more in-depth information and tools are listed in this publication.

School-Based 4-H Programming: Incorporating Family Engagement into Your Program

Vanessa Spero-Swingle

Family engagement in 4-H programs allows family members, youth, and the community to become more aware, cohesive, and invested in youth development. This fact sheet discusses how to incorporate family engagement into your 4-H school programming. For the purposes of Florida 4-H, a school-based program can be defined as school enrichment (offered to groups of youth, taught by Extension staff or trained volunteers, and designed to support the school curriculum), an in-school club following a more traditional club approach during school hours, or an after-school club operating directly after school hours.