Youth Development

Promoting Healthy Relationship Development in Teens, Part II: Three Key Qualities to Foster Better Relationships

Victor W. Harris, Gilon Marts, and Muthusami Kumaran

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

Vanessa Spero-Swingle

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

Foster Care Youth in Transition: How to Help Mitigate Risks of Homelessness Faced by Teens and Emerging Adults in the Foster Care System

Francesca Michelini, Kate Fogarty, Randall Cantrell, and Marilyn Swisher

This article discusses multiple problems that youth encounter after they exit foster care, and the ways that almost anyone can work to help these young people. Written by Francesca Michelini, Kate Fogarty, Randall Cantrell, and Marilyn Swisher, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, November 2022.

Introduction to Youth Online Peer Support: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers

Angela Nielsen and Larry F. Forthun

The purpose of this publication is to inform the reader about online friendships between teens, mental health and suicidality in teens, ideas for supporting a teen whose online friend discloses thoughts of self-harm and suicide, and the importance of safety and self-care. Written by Angela Nielsen and Larry F. Forthun, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, January 2024.

Substance Use and Rural Populations

Erin Kersey, LaToya J. O'Neal, Ashlyn Michael, Beatrice Pierre, Tyler Nesbit, and Larry Forthun

This article aims to describe the impact of substance use on rural communities, to share knowledge of the unique challenges rural populations face, to highlight the need for prevention efforts geared towards adolescents, and to inform Extension professionals about current UF/IFAS initiatives. Written by Erin Kersey, LaToya J. O’Neal, Ashlyn Michael, Beatrice Pierre, Tyler Nesbit, and Larry Forthun, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, February 2023.

Promoting Positive Outcomes in Children Affected by Parental Alcohol Use Disorder

Courtney Pritchard and Victor W. Harris

This publication contains some useful information regarding the variety of risk factors that children exposed to parental Alcohol Use Disorder may face and protective factors that can help to promote positive outcomes and resilience. Written by Courtney Pritchard and Victor W. Harris, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, February 2025.

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

Vanessa Spero-Swingle

Promoting Healthy Relationship Development in Teens, Part I: How Dating Smart in Youth Can Foster Better Relationships in Adulthood

Victor W. Harris, Gilon Marts, and Martie Gillen

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.

Cooperative Unit Systems: 1. Introduction and Raising Market Animals in a Group Setting

Alyssa Schortinghouse

A UF/IFAS numbered peer reviewed Fact Sheet. Published by Youth development

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.

Cooperative Unit Systems: 2. Organizational Strategies

Alyssa Schortinghouse

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet. Published by Youth development

Introduction to Youth Online Peer Support: A Guide for Teens

Angela Nielsen and Larry F. Forthun

This publication provides information about adolescent mental health and suicidality, ways that adolescents can provide empathetic support to a friend they met online, ways that adults can help, and the importance of self-care. Written by Angela Nielsen and Larry F. Forthun, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, August 2022.

Cooperative Unit Systems: 3. Swine Facilities

Alyssa Schortinghouse

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

Helping Your Teenager Discover Spirituality

Larry Forthun, Tyler Nesbit, and Angelica Shaw

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet.

Understanding Extension for School-Based Agricultural Education #3: FFA and 4-H—A Comparison

Debra Barry, Alyssa Shepherd, Jennifer Patton, and Stephen Gran

A UF/IFAS numbered peer reviewed Fact Sheet. in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: ==Special Handling==

A Community-Based Approach to Supporting the Mental Health of Rural Youth

Ashlyn Michael, LaToya O'Neal, Erin Kersey, Angela Nielsen, Karen Coker, and Larry Forthun

This publication highlights the role the established presence of UF/IFAS Extension in rural regions can play in the dissemination of community-based professionals into these areas. The integration of these professionals and the various programs and services they offer will serve as a buffer to the many stressors faced by rural residents, the complexities of which often lead to overall poor mental health. Written by Ashlyn Michael, LaToya O’Neal, Erin Kersey, Angela Nielsen, Karen Coker, and Larry Forthun, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, November 2022.

School-Based 4-H Programming Series: Setting Schools Up for Success

Vanessa Spero

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

Discovering Spirituality: A Guide for Teens

Larry Forthun, Tyler Nesbit, and Angelica Shaw

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet.