CYFAR 2009 Conference Proceedings
About the Conference
The harbor city of Baltimore provided a historic and beautiful backdrop to CYFAR 2009. Each day of the conference offered many ways for CYFAR folk to learn and share.
- Inspiring messages from keynote speakers kicked off each of the three days.
- Noted researchers presented their findings
- CYFAR peers offered best practices and on-the-ground experiences working with at-risk youth and families in numerous workshops
- At interact sessions (roundtable discussion groups) participants discussed common issues.
- A program showcase on Wednesday afternoon 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.
The annual 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.
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.
Proceedings of this conference will remain online for one year. See you next year at CYFAR 2010, May 4-7 in San Francisco.
