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NEW! Assistant Project Director for Immunization Education

Extension Collaborative on Immunization Teaching and Engagement (EXCITE)

Assistant Project Director for Immunization Education

Position Description

This project is a collaborative effort among the Extension Committee on Policy (ECOP), eXtension, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  It grew out of efforts undertaken by the ECOP Health Innovation Task Force. eXtension anticipates receiving funding for Immunization Education efforts.  Key Extension leaders on this project are Dr. Roger Rennekamp, Dr. Michelle Rodgers, Dr. Caroline Henney, Ms. Ali Mitchell Dunigan and Dr. Chris Geith.  This project will allow CDC and the Cooperative Extension System to address health disparities among rural and other underserved communities by facilitating discussions at the community level to address barriers and concerns about COVID-19, flu and other adult vaccinations  It is designed to help increase connections and communication between the community and health care practices, as well as increase accessibility and acceptability of local vaccination clinics and opportunities with the goal to and mobilize communities to implement public health programs to reduce health disparities, especially in rural areas. The four broad areas of emphasis for this project are:

  • A National Assessment
    • Lead continuous data collection through a national assessment of current activities, locations and delivery of extension immunization education, community dialogue, and the cooperative delivery of immunization clinics resulting in regular updates and reports.  Timeline:   Throughout the project
  • Vaccinate with Confidence National Campaign
  • Work with all 112 LGUs who are eligible to apply for funding to support their customization and deployment of the Vaccinate with Confidence Campaign. The package includes materials from the CDC, professional development offerings by the Vaccinate with Confidence technical assistance team available to all LGU’s and funding. LGU’s will complete a standardized and simple online application organized around a rubric to ensure funding priorities, such as serving underserved audiences and collecting standard data.  This information will be built into an application form briefly requiring a description of their planned implementation and their planned budget.  
  • Work with eXtension Foundation to offer an Impact Collaborative Summit to develop opportunities for immunization education and clinics utilizing Extension resources, staff and locations as well as their partnerships with local health education resources, staff and immunization locations.  This Summit will help potential pilot recipients incubate and plan to accelerate opportunities for immunization education in rural and underserved communities.   Timeline:  April 2021.
  • Implement immunization education and clinic pilots, community dialogues, and the cooperative delivery of immunization clinics. Timeline:  May 2021-March 2023.
    • Pilots will test out immunization education programs, community dialogue frameworks, and clinic models in rural and underserved communities that will include data collection and use of common metrics for reporting..
    • A non-research report of what is learned will be created and shared with the Cooperative Extension System and collaborative leaders of this project. This report is to be a brief report and summary of the pilots from the pilot leaders. 

This project is seeking a part time (approximately .4 FTE) assistant project director who will work collaboratively with the Project Director and the Operational Manager at Extension Foundation to implement health promotion strategies for the Vaccinate with Confidence Campaign and the Immunization Education pilots.  This will be a two year buyout from a land grant university.   The Extension Foundation will serve as the principal investigator for the project and will serve as a backbone for the project efforts.  The Assistant Project Director, the Project Director and the Operational Manager will work collaboratively together to lead this project.  This position will deal with the day-to-day efforts for promoting the two main foci of the project.  The Assistant Director will report to the Project  Director.  The Assistant Project Director for this project will:

Provide leadership for media campaigns and immunization education pilots:

  • Provide expertise and coordination working with LGUs to encourage, recruit and assist them in the customization and deployment of the Vaccinate with Confidence campaign and the Immunization education pilots
  • Work with the LGUs as they implement the Vaccinate with Confidence  campaign and the Immunization Education pilots  to ensure local success and impact 
  • Offer different forms of professional development and other resources as needed throughout the project to support the Vaccinate with Confidence campaign funding  available to the 112 LGU’s and the separate funding for  selected pilot projects 
  • Assist LGUs to provide reports using the Immunization education dashboard in development
  • Connect and coordinate successful LGU pilot applicants with the Vaccinate with the  Confidence Technical Assistance (Market Research Firm) service provider as appropriate
  • Work with the team developing the innovation collaboration event and support pilot projects in the design of their projects and in the deployment of their work to insure successful implementation , evaluation and reporting
  • Provide feedback and reports (quarterly and final).  

This position will collaborate with the EXCITE grant team by:

  • Work with EXF Communications to learn and lead engagement within the system in reporting the assessment tool and dashboard.
  • Serve on the Impact Collaborative Design Team.
  • Participate in the selection of pilot projects.
  • Work collaboratively with Extension operations manager who will handle the operations of the effort. 
  • Serve on the project advisory and planning team committees as appropriate.
  • Work collaboratively with the 1890 and 1994 Engagement Coordinator/s.
  • Work collaboratively with the Evaluation Firm and the Market Research Firm. 
  • Participate and engage in the Connect Extension group.
  • Other related duties as assigned by the Project Director and Operations Manager. 
  • This position will work remotely.  Knowledge and experience with virtual work and computer skills are needed for this position.

The projected timeline for this position is  April 1, 2021 through March 30, 2022: (dependent upon project funding)

March 5, 2021 until filled Accept letters of interest and resumes

April 1, 2021 Start date for Assistant Project Director and 

April 1, 2021 Official start for the Project

If there are questions, please contact Project Director, Dr. Michelle Rodgers, PhD, Associate Dean and Director, University of Delaware, mrodgers@udel.edu Mobile 302-635-4306.

Persons interested in this position should apply here:  https://form.jotform.com/210614384545151

Contact Brenna Kotar, Extension Foundation at ceoassistant@extension.org with questions pertaining to the application.  

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Extension Foundation Contracts Assistant

The eXtension Foundation is seeking a contracts assistant to support the development and executing of over 120 contracts.  This contract will assume approximately .3 to .5 fte and will include support for creating and developing contracts, tracking contracts, working the land grant institutions and working with offices of sponsored programs. The contracts assistant  will work closely with the Virtual Administrative Assistant to conduct their work. This position reports to the Chief Operating Officer of the eXtension Foundation. 

Desired Qualifications:

  • Knowledge of the contracting process
  • Knowledge of the LGU system
  • Experience in working with offices of sponsored programs
  • Initiative to keep contracts moving to final execution
  • Ability to work with multiple institutions
  • Savvy in the use of databases for contract tracking.
  • This position will work remotely.  Knowledge and experience with virtual work and computer skills are needed for this position.

Statement of Work for the Contract Effort

The work of the eXtension Contract Assistant will focus on the support of the Virtual Administrative Assistant and the focus of the 120 contracts that must be executed between April and August.  Support for contract writing as well as database management will be critical for this role.  Position expectations include:

  • Taking responsibility for assigned contract tasks, such as contract development, ensuring contracts have the content and supporting documentation necessary.
  • Assist in the writing of contracts within the contracting process of eXtension.
  • Support and assistance with managing a contract database for the purposes of tracking where contracts are at in the process.  
  • Staying in communication with LGU offices of sponsored programs to expedite contract executing.
  • Assist with contract files to make sure all documentation for each contract is in the files to include sole source justifications when appropriate.
  • Successful candidates are expected to have their own computer equipment and internet access.

Contract conditions and terms:

This will be a fixed term contract based on an hourly rate.  Workload will vary throughout the year, with the months of April-August having the greatest amount of work expected.

Contract Timeline – 1 year – April 1, 2021-March 31, 2022.

The projected timeline for this position is  April 1, 2021 through March 30, 2022: (dependent upon project funding)

February 19, 2021 until filled: Accept letters of interest and resumes

April 1, 2021: Start date for eXtension Contracts Assistant

Interested persons should apply here: https://form.jotform.com/210495967792169

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Extension Foundation Communications Technology Assistant

The eXtension Foundation is seeking a tech-savvy, high energy, individual with great problem solving skills to assist our Communications and Engagement Manager with projects, developing creative solutions, communications, analysis and marketing for eXtension Foundation. This contract will assume approximately .3 to .5 fte and will include support for creating and developing communication and marketing pieces, but also in the management of databases and technology platforms to actively engage with eXtension Foundation audiences.  The Communications and Engagement Manager will work closely with the Assistant to advise and lead the work. This position reports to the Communications and Engagement Manager with additional accountability to the Chief Operating Officer of the eXtension Foundation. 

Desired Qualifications:

  • Associates Degree in Business, Communications, or Related Field
  • Proactive in identifying and adapting new technology tools to solve problems and achieve organizational and system-wide objectives. 
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Proficient with Hubspot CRM, email marketing platforms, and social media account management. 
  • Working knowledge with Adobe Creative Suite including Adobe Photoshop, Premiere, InDesign, and Illustrator. 
  • Ability to work in collaboration with multidisciplinary stakeholders and teams. 

Statement of Work for the Contract Effort

The work of the eXtension Communications Assistant will focus on the support of the Communications and Engagement Manager which will focus on the messaging and connections required to lead and manage multiple constituencies.  Support for technical writing as well as database management and some analysis will be critical for this role.  Position expectations include:

  • Taking responsibility for assigned communications tasks, such as regular email marketing updates that originate from the Marketing and Communications department. 
  • Supporting and assisting in the overall management of Connect Extension including the creation of new content aligned with eXtension Foundation initiatives, services, and offerings. 
  • Assist with the transition and management of data, contacts, and membership tracking in the Hubspot CRM system
  • Assist and support newly developed databases as they come online to manage the Communication and Marketing functions of eXtension.
  • Work with Communications and Engagement Manager to support webinars, blog posts, Zoom and professional development of the eXtension Team.
  • This position will work remotely.  Knowledge and experience with virtual work and computer skills are needed for this position.  
  • Successful candidates are expected to have their own computer equipment and internet access.

Contract conditions and terms:

This will be a fixed term contract or a land grant university contract/buyout.

Contract Timeline – 1 year – April 1, 2021-March 31, 2022.

The projected timeline for this position is  April 1, 2021 through March 30, 2022: (dependent upon project funding)

February 19, 2021 until filled: Accept letters of interest and resumes

April 1, 2021: Start date for eXtension Communications Technology Assistant

Interested persons should apply here: https://form.jotform.com/210495638351155

The application deadline is April 1, 2021.  Your letter of interest should describe why you are interested to help in this important work as well as your experience or academic background in the communications and marketing arena.  

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Cooperative Extension Service Immunization Education Project Immunization Education Fellow

This project is a collaborative effort among the Extension Committee on Policy (ECOP), , eXtension, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  It grew out of efforts undertaken by the ECOP Health Innovation Task Force. eXtension anticipates receiving funding for Immunization Education efforts.  Key Extension leaders on this project are Dr. Roger Rennekamp, Dr. Michelle Rodgers, Dr. Caroline Henney, Ms. Ali Mitchell Dunigan and Dr. Chris Geith.  This project will allow CDC and the Cooperative Extension System to address health disparities among rural and other underserved communities by facilitating discussions at the community level to address barriers and concerns about COVID-19, flu and other adult vaccinations.  It is designed to help increase connections and communication between the community and health care practices, as well as increase accessibility and acceptability of local vaccination clinics and opportunities with the goal to and mobilize communities to implement public health programs to reduce health disparities, especially in rural areas. The four broad areas of emphasis for this project are:

  • A National Assessment
    • Create a landscape report through a national assessment of current activities, locations and delivery of extension immunization education, community dialogue, and the cooperative delivery of immunization clinics.  Timeline:   April-July 2021 
  • Vaccinate with Confidence National Campaign
    • Work with all 111 LGUs who are eligible to apply for funding to support their customization and deployment of the Vaccinate with Confidence Campaign. The package includes materials from the CDC, professional development offerings by the Vaccinate with Confidence technical assistance team available to all LGU’s and funding. LGU’s will complete a standardized and simple online application organized around a rubric to ensure funding priorities, such as serving underserved audiences and collecting standard data.  This information will be built into an application form briefly requiring a description of their planned implementation and their planned budget.  
  • An Impact Collaborative Summit
    • Work with eXtension Foundation to offer an Impact Collaborative Summit to develop opportunities for immunization education and clinics utilizing Extension resources, staff and locations as well as their partnerships with local health education resources, staff and immunization locations.  This Summit will help potential pilot recipients incubate and plan to accelerate opportunities for immunization education in rural and underserved communities.   Timeline:  April 2021.
  • Implement immunization education and clinic pilots, community dialogues, and the cooperative delivery of immunization clinics. Timeline:  May 2021-March 2022.
    • Pilots will test out immunization education programs, community dialogue frameworks, and clinic models in rural and underserved communities that will include data collection and use of common metrics for reporting.
    • A non-research report of what is learned will be created and shared with the Cooperative Extension System and collaborative leaders of this project. This report is to be a brief report and summary of the pilots from the pilot leaders. 

This project is seeking an Immunization Education Fellow who will work collaboratively with the Project Director and Assistant Project Director of the Immunization Education Project. This will be a one year buyout from a land grant university for approximately 10% time.   eXtension will serve as the principal investigator for the project and eXtension will serve as a backbone for the project efforts. 

The work of the fellows will focus on building the capacity and expanding the portfolio of the Cooperative Extension System’s work focused on health and well being.  Much of this will be accomplished through a Connect Extension subgroup where fellows will work as a team to foster identification and sharing of programmatic resources, expertise and collaboration around priority themes determined by Roger Rennekamp. This position will report to Dr. Roger Rennekamp.  

  • Engage Connect Extension group members weekly in planned activities such as learning circles, webinars, cafes, dialogs, and chat events. 
  • Create content that encourages engagement of members such as blog posts, forum questions and surveys related to Immunization Education. 
  • Catalyze the growth and effectiveness of the Immunization Education community on the Connect Extension digital platform.   
  • Develop a tagging vocabulary in Connect Extension to make resources easy to find. 
  • Design and host at least three national professional development online events to the Cooperative Extension System with eXtension; for example, an action dialog or a webinar.
  • Report monthly on group engagement to Roger Rennenkamp.
  • This position will work remotely.  Knowledge and experience with virtual work and computer skills are needed for this position.

The projected timeline for this position is  April 1, 2021 through March 30, 2022: (dependent upon project funding)

February 18 until position is filled:  Accept letters of interest and resumes

April 1, 2021: Start date for Immunization Fellow

April 1, 2021: Official start for the Project

If there are questions, please contact Dr. Roger Rennekamp Ph.D., Extension Health Director, at rogerrennekamp@extension.org

Persons interested in this position should apply here:  https://form.jotform.com/210485133469154

Contact Brenna Kotar, eXtension Foundation at ceoassistant@extension.org with questions pertaining to the application.  

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Cornell Extension LIVCO Project Team Finds Impact Collaborative Was “An amazing team building opportunity”

As Director of Cornell Cooperative Extension, I am delighted that County Associations around New York have been involved in the Impact Collaborative. One example of the success of this program is the unique, virtual opportunity for our Livingston County team to work through a creative and structured process to explore and develop a concept in a short period of time. It also helped with goals they had around team building. The Impact Collaborative provided our team with access to effective coaching and expert informants, which will help this work not only maintain momentum, but grow. The pandemic has been challenging for all of us, but this event and the process proved a bright spot for our Livingston County team.

– Christopher Watkins, PhD – Professor, School of Integrative Plant Science Horticulture Section, Director, Cornell Cooperative Extension

A team from Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) of Livingston County came together at the recent eXtension Foundation Impact Collaborative Summit. Their association is situated on a park-like campus of more than one hundred acres. They had an idea of turning their campus into a learning laboratory for the community, with demonstration gardens and more. 

The team was one of 25 groups from across the country that participated in the first ever virtual Impact Collaborative Summit, held in October 2020. Team members participating were executive director Jolie Spiers; Jennifer Schwab, program coordinator; Bernadette Harwood, Ag in the Classroom educator; Renee Hopkins, 4-H educator; and Mark Wittmeyer, youth development team leader.

Teams participating in the Summit were provided one-on-one coaching by the Impact Collaborative’s network of Innovation Facilitators. Innovation Facilitators are Cooperative Extension professionals who are trained to provide individuals with a new way of looking at program and project development, using the Innovation Skill-Building Experience (ISBE). ISBE is a methodology that helps new and existing programs across states and institutions identify gaps in their program planning and design, ensure they are most ready for implementation, and have explored all considerations to maximize their local impact

Jolie Spiers, executive director of CCE in Livingston County spoke with us about their team, the project they are building, and their experience with the Impact Collaborative. “The Impact Collaborative served as a catalyst for us to put structure around how we approach big ideas and think out of the box,” Spiers said. “The process provided some structure for our thinking, and enabled us to grow an idea in a very short period of time.”

Each team participating in the Summit had access to “expert” Key Informants from Extension and other external organizations. Key Informants assisted teams on a range of topics, including catalyzation, innovation, program development and evaluation; community partnerships; communications, marketing and digital engagement; diversity, equity, and inclusion; educational technology and instructional design; visualization; and more.  

 “Our key informants inspired us to think big, outside of the box, and with the goal of having an impact outside of our own association,” Spiers shared. “As this was our first time attending, we weren’t quite sure how the process with the Key Informants worked and we signed up for something like eight slots. Fortunately our amazing coach, Amanda Benton from New Mexico State, gently redirected us to allow for more  – and much needed – time to focus on going through the workbook that was provided. Our coaches were so supportive of our idea and also helped us see how to incorporate new aspects like workforce development into the project.”

Spiers indicated that the project concept changed over the course of the Impact Collaborative in important ways, and will continue to evolve. “We started off with the idea of a botanical garden on our campus and ended up with the concept for a collaborative learning lab for our entire community. Now it’s not a garden that we’re building. We understand more fully how a garden is the catalyst for change, the catalyst to bring all aspects of our association together – parenting, nutrition, agriculture in the classroom, Master Gardeners, agricultural research, youth development – and then pull in the rest of our community in, too, with workforce development, veterans, and other potential new partners.”

The team will continue their work. They will also partner again with the eXtension Foundation for future opportunities, including the Innovation Skill-Building Experience and facilitator training, as well as attending the 2021 Impact Collaborative.

When asked about the value of the experience to their team, Spiers replied, “Attending the Impact Collaborative was an amazing team building opportunity for our association. We plan to build upon what we learned at our first Impact Collaborative.” 

To learn more about the team’s work and their experience at the Summit, listen to this podcast interview.

The Extension Foundation’s Impact Collaborative is a results-driven program that catalyzes innovative ideas through a unique, structured, and supported process. The process enables Extension to work with community partners to find and implement the kinds of solutions that will result in the greatest local impact. The Impact Collaborative program is available to Extension Foundation members. Learn more about upcoming opportunities with the Impact Collaborative program at extension.org or by joining Connect Extension at connect.extension.org. 

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Cooperative Extension Service Immunization Education Project: Vaccinate with Confidence Health Promotion Specialist

 Cooperative Extension Service Immunization Education Project

Vaccinate with Confidence Health Promotion Specialist Position Description

This project is a collaborative effort among the Extension Committee on Policy (ECOP),  eXtension, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  It grew out of efforts undertaken by the ECOP Health Innovation Task Force. eXtension anticipates receiving funding for Immunization Education efforts.  Key Extension leaders on this project are Dr. Roger Rennekamp, Dr. Michelle Rodgers, Dr. Caroline Henney, Ms. Ali Mitchell Dunigan and Dr. Chris Geith.  This project will allow CDC and the Cooperative Extension System to address health disparities among rural and other underserved communities by facilitating discussions at the community level to address barriers and concerns about COVID-19, flu and other adult vaccinations.  It is designed to help increase connections and communication between the community and health care practices, as well as increase accessibility and acceptability of local vaccination clinics and opportunities with the goal to and mobilize communities to implement public health programs to reduce health disparities, especially in rural areas. The four broad areas of emphasis for this project are:

  • A National Assessment
    • Create a landscape report through a national assessment of current activities, locations and delivery of extension immunization education, community dialogue, and the cooperative delivery of immunization clinics.  Timeline:   April-July 2021 
  • Vaccinate with Confidence National Campaign
    • Work with all 111 LGUs who are eligible to apply for funding to support their customization and deployment of the Vaccinate with Confidence Campaign. The package includes materials from the CDC, professional development offerings by the Vaccinate with Confidence technical assistance team available to all LGU’s and funding. LGU’s will complete a standardized and simple online application organized around a rubric to ensure funding priorities, such as serving underserved audiences and collecting standard data.  This information will be built into an application form briefly requiring a description of their planned implementation and their planned budget.  
  • An Impact Collaborative Summit
    • Work with eXtension Foundation to offer an Impact Collaborative Summit to develop opportunities for immunization education and clinics utilizing Extension resources, staff and locations as well as their partnerships with local health education resources, staff and immunization locations.  This Summit will help potential pilot recipients incubate and plan to accelerate opportunities for immunization education in rural and underserved communities.     Timeline:  April 2021.
  • Implement immunization education and clinic pilots, community dialogues, and the cooperative delivery of immunization clinics. Timeline:  May 2021-March 2022.
    • Pilots will test out immunization education programs, community dialogue frameworks, and clinic models in rural and underserved communities that will include data collection and use of common metrics for reporting.
    • A non-research report of what is learned will be created and shared with the Cooperative Extension System and collaborative leaders of this project. This report is to be a brief report and summary of the pilots from the pilot leaders. 

This project is seeking a health promotion specialist (a full-time buyout from a Land Grant University (LGU) or a service contract) to provide expertise and coordination working LGUs to successfully deploy the Vaccinate with Confidence Health Promotion in a local context through the Cooperative Extension Service.  eXtension will serve as the principal investigator for the project and eXtension will serve as a backbone for the project efforts.  This position will work collaboratively with the Project Director, Assistant Project Director and the Operations Manager to lead this project. This position will report to the Project Director, Dr. Michelle Rodgers. The Health Promotion Specialist for this project will:

  • Provide expertise and coordination working with LGUs to encourage, recruit and assist them in the customization and deployment of the Vaccinate with Confidence campaign.
  • Work with the LGUs as they implement the Vaccinate with Confidence campaign to ensure local success and impact and provide a communications/promotion toolkit for LGUs’ use. 
  • Offer different forms of professional development and other resources as needed throughout the project to support the Vaccinate with Confidence campaign package available to the 111 LGU’s and the selected pilot projects (approximately 20). 
  • Assist LGUs to best utilize the Vaccinate with Confidence Campaign Packaging funding.
  • Connect and coordinate successful LGU pilot applicants with the Vaccinate with the  Confidence Technical Assistance (Market Research Firm) service provider.
  • Work with the pilot projects in the design of their projects and in the deployment of their work.
  • Serve with the eXtension Foundation Team to deliver and serve teams and participants attending the Impact Collaborative for Immunization Education to expand the Vaccinate with Confidence campaign.
  • Work with the Evaluation team/firm to help insure the success of campaign and pilot efforts to achieve impact and provide consultation as appropriate.
  • Participate and learn about the Impact Collaborative and possibly serve on the Impact Collaborative Design Team.
  • Provide feedback and reports (quarterly and final).  
  • Serve on the project advisory and planning team committees.
  • Work collaboratively with the 1890 and 1994 Engagement Coordinators.
  • Work collaboratively with the Evaluation Team.
  • Work collaboratively with the Immunization Education Fellow. 
  • Participate and engage in the Connect Extension group.

The projected timeline for this position is  April 1, 2021 through March 30, 2022: (dependent upon project funding)

February 12 until position is filled: Accept letters of interest and resumes
April 1, 2021:  Start date for Health Promotion Specialist
April 1, 2021: Official start for the Project

If there are questions, please contact Project Director Dr. Michelle Rodgers, PhD, Associate Dean and Director, University of Delaware, mrodgers@udel.edu Mobile 302-635-4306.

Persons interested in this position should send a letter of interest and a resume to Brenna Kotar, eXtension Foundation at ceoassistant@extension.org. by February 19, 2021.

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Impact Collaborative Announces Rev-Up Your Virtual Leadership Series for Extension Professionals Leading Five or More Peers

For 2021, the eXtension Foundation’s Impact Collaborative program is hosting a series available to eXtension Foundation member institutions. This series is led by Karl Bradley, Leadership Development Specialist, eXtension Foundation.

Last year we all pivoted quickly as we redefined how to accomplish our work almost exclusively in shared virtual spaces. The topics in this series are a result of our work with individuals & teams from across Cooperative Extension wondering: What does effective leadership look like when we no longer have the ability to put a hand on a shoulder? How do we reduce friction, confusion & underperformance for individuals, teams and organizations?

March 24, 2PM ET
Rev-up the Trust!
It’s not time that builds trust, it’s our behaviors.  Learn what you can do to keep it from eroding and create an environment where trust can thrive!

June 23, 2PM ET
Rev-up the Communication!
It’s hard to imagine anyone leaving an organization because they were over-communicated to.  In this session we’ll discuss how we never actually get clarity, we’re always seeking it. 

September 22, 2PM ET
Rev-up the Focus!
Deciding what not to do is just as important as deciding what to do.  Being “busy” is the easy choice.  Learn the secret to doing the right things!

December 15, 2PM ET
Rev-up the Change!
We’re all experiencing change at a pace humans have never experienced before.  This can lead to confusion when it seems like the “transition” phase never ends.  Learn to help everyone navigate the chaos together!

About the Impact Collaborative

The Impact Collaborative is a bundle of services and events funded by and for our members. With the Impact Collaborative, we help Extension program or project teams succeed or fail faster for increased learning toward implementation. Our network in and outside of Extension helps strengthen projects and programs in unique ways, returning to you even stronger.  It consists of the Impact Collaborative Project Summit, Innovation Skill Building Experience, Innovation Facilitator Training & Leadership Development.  Since 2019, the Impact Collaborative has served over 6,500 Extension professionals. Over $5.7 million in grant funding has gone to Extension projects that have incubated in this program.  Find out more about our 2021 events here!

About Karl Bradley

Joining the eXtension Foundation in 2020, Karl currently serves the eight New Technologies in Agriculture & Education teams and assists with the 1890s Extension Leadership Academy as Leadership Development Specialist.  He also supports the Impact Collaborative by leading the national network of over 150 Innovation Facilitators.  He brings expertise in leadership development & training, strategic thinking, public speaking, team building & community engagement to serve the Cooperative Extension system.

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Colorado State Extension Mindful Engagement Project “Ready to go in a way we wouldn’t have been”, thanks to the Impact Collaborative Summit

“The Impact Collaborative Summit and process provided an important place for our Mindful Engagement Project team, led by Sue Schneider, to develop their concept and determine next steps. The ability to access expert key informants and resources, both pre- and post-summit, galvanized the team, enabling them to fully conceptualize and explore the potential of the project in a very short time. The pandemic has created many challenges for communities, and having this opportunity available in a virtual setting was incredibly important to moving the team’s work forward.” 

– Ashley Stokes, DVM, PhD, MBA – Associate Vice President of Engagement and Extension, Colorado State University

Mindful Engagement is a newly conceptualized project from Colorado State University (CSU), led by Sue Schneider, an Extension agent in Family and Consumer Sciences and Community Development based in Fort Collins. The team also includes CSU Extension’s Lisa Auer, who serves as the site coordinator for the Larimer County Family Leadership Training Institute (FLTI); and Tony Lynch, a community champion who is a member of the 2020 FLTI cohort. The team was one of 25 groups from across the country that participated in the first ever virtual Impact Collaborative Summit, held in October 2020.

The Mindful Engagement project will leverage community champions seeking to affect social change, through mindful engagement practices geared toward individual and collective compassionate resilience. The community champions are alumni of a 20-week Family Leadership Training Institute (FLTI). FLTI seeks to build individual and community capacity, bridge the gap between local residents and decision makers, and encourage the co-creation of programs and policies that reflect the diversity of community voices. 

The Mindful Engagement Team partnered with the eXtension Foundation through the Impact Collaborative Summit. Teams participating in the Summit were provided one-on-one coaching by the Impact Collaborative’s network of Innovation Facilitators. Innovation Facilitators are Cooperative Extension professionals who are trained to provide individuals with a new way of looking at program and project development, using the Innovation Skill-Building Experience (ISBE). ISBE is a methodology that helps new and existing programs across states and institutions identify gaps in their program planning and design, ensure they are most ready for implementation, and have explored all considerations to maximize their local impact

In addition, each team participating in the Summit had access to “expert” Key Informants from Extension and other external organizations. The Key Informants assisted teams on a range of topics, including catalyzation, innovation, program development and evaluation; community partnerships; communications, marketing and digital engagement; diversity, equity, and inclusion; educational technology and instructional design; visualization; and more.  

The Mindful Engagement project is responding to the need to provide additional training to FLTI alumni that highlights mindfulness and compassion in community work. The project team has identified – with the community – five pillars that they believe will elevate mindful engagement. They are creating curriculum, training, and a mini-grant program to support the project. The team’s coach was Karl Bradley, who serves as the eXtension Foundation Leadership Development Specialist. He is also a Colorado resident. 

When asked what it was like to have a coach embedded within the team, Schneider replied, “It was amazing…We were able to work through how we’re communicating around the program with him. He offered so many ideas about experts we might work with in the future, how we could  connect with eXtension Foundation resources in the long-term…he was really thinking into the future the next ten steps, and what might support our work and how eXtension Foundation could be part of that support.” 

Access to Key Informants also proved important to the team. Schneider noted that those conversations enabled the team “…to begin to grapple with complicated things, including curriculum delivery, what it is the longer-term vision, and what kind of funding sources should be thinking about…everything from solidifying our team and commitment to this to getting external perspectives on our process and methodology…”

Schneider indicated that the Summit “…galvanized our thinking.” She said that the Summit helped solidify the team, enabled them to realize the full potential of the project, and formulate ideas about next steps. Based on input they received at the Summit, the team decided to include a trauma resilience pillar in their work. They were also able to draft a project timeline and garner ideas about grants and fundraising through a post-event activity. 

Bradley – who was embedded with the team throughout the Summit – said, “The team’s expertise was only surpassed by their passion to help the citizens of Colorado.”

Schneider has positive things to say about the team’s experience. “The Impact Collaborative Summit was an amazing experience on multiple levels. Our team was able to put dedicated time into collectively thinking about how to develop a responsive and action-oriented mindfulness training program for community leaders. We had access to a set of brilliant thinkers and experienced Extension leaders who asked really tough questions and helped us explore a range of options for our program. And we were introduced to the vast resources that eXtension has to offer specialists in the field. This was a worthwhile investment of time that continues to reap benefits…We’re ready to go in a way we wouldn’t have been.”

To learn more about the Mindful Engagement Project and the team’s experience at the Summit, listen to this podcast interview with team leader Sue Schneider.

The eXtension Foundation’s Impact Collaborative is a results-driven program that catalyzes innovative ideas through a unique, structured, and supported process. The process enables Extension to work with community partners to find and implement the kinds of solutions that will result in the greatest local impact. The Impact Collaborative program is available to eXtension Foundation members. Learn more about upcoming opportunities with the Impact Collaborative program at extension.org or by joining Connect Extension at connect.extension.org. 

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Workforce Readiness & Makerspace Team from Oregon Brings Community Partners to Impact Collaborative Summit, Wins Seed-Funding Grant for Western Region

“The Impact Collaborative provided an ideal space for the Malheur Workforce Readiness team to work through a structured process that challenged their thinking and assisted them with building a strong, informed, foundation. It equipped them with critical insights on how to best evaluate their program and the potential impact, and better communicate and engage with their partners moving forward” – Anita Azarenko, Interim Vice President – Outreach and Extension, Extension Director, Oregon State University. 

Malheur Workforce Readiness is a project from Oregon that is a grassroots collaborative effort co-led by Barbara Brody, Extension Faculty, Oregon State University Extension and Nickie Shira, STEM & Innovation Coordinator, Frontier STEM Hub – Malheur Education Service District.The team also includes Erin Carpenter, Project Director, Eastern Oregon Workforce Board; Melodie Wilson, Education Technology & STEM Specialist, Frontier STEM Hub – Malheur Education Service District and Jerry Peacock, Eastern Oregon Career Technical Education Regional Coordinator. 

This is a workforce readiness program for underserved youth that connects the learning needs of youth to the talent needs of industry resulting in a more inclusive and vibrant local economy. They do this by equipping youth with job-ready skills breaking the cycle of poverty, unlike traditional career-technical education programs that end when students graduate from high school. According to Shira, “we have two components to our project…the overarching project is workforce readiness and we are combining that with the makerspace to provide opportunities for students at the schools with internships and connecting them to local career and job opportunities. The project seeks to narrow the opportunity gap that so many of our students face…”

In 2020, the team partnered with the eXtension Foundation through its Impact Collaborative program at the Impact Collaborative Summit. Teams that participated in the Summit were provided one-on-one coaching by the Impact Collaborative’s network of Innovation Facilitators, including twenty six coaches. Twenty-five Key Informants from across Extension and other external organizations assisted teams on a range of topics, including catalyzation, innovation, program development and evaluation; community partnerships; communications, marketing and digital engagement; diversity, equity, and inclusion; educational technology and instructional design; visualization; and more.

The team leveraged the opportunity to participate in the Impact Collaborative program as a way of formalizing their work together and equipping the team with new skills and tools. “Bringing all of us together and identifying what our roles are and those needs makes us more successful…This opportunity helped us with our skill sets and gave us some other tools to move us forward…We had never been through a training like this as community partners. In my opinion, it really helped,” said Brody. 

The Impact Collaborative trains Cooperative Extension professionals in its Innovation Skill-Building methodology to provide a new way of looking at program development and innovation to assist local teams develop projects or programs more quickly, and strengthen program design. Trained individuals are referred to as Innovation Facilitators and there are currently 151 trained through the Impact Collaborative. At the Summit, Innovation Facilitators serve as coaches with teams to help identify gaps in project and program planning. For the Malheur Workforce Readiness team, their coach was David Keto, Communications & Technology Manager, University of Wyoming. 

“The whole coaching model worked really well for me; David was alongside us wanting us to succeed. It’s hard in a rural community to have resources like this, even in my Extension office, so having the coach was great and his connections had a ripple effect that expanded our capacity,” Brody said about her experience having a coach assigned to her team. Regarding the Key Informants, she shared “when the Key Informants asked us difficult questions and identified our gaps…that was a huge area of growth for me. It enabled us to put together an evaluation matrix for our team. Lastly, it was reassuring that what we were trying to say about our project was able to get across.”

As part of the Summit, teams were invited to apply for $5000 seed-funding grants funded by the Impact Collaborative. One grant was awarded to one team from each Cooperative Extension region that applied. The Malheur Workforce Readiness team received the award for the Western Region. When asked about their next steps and how they plan to leverage these funds, Shira stated “we received additional funding from the Oregon Community Foundation, the Eastern Oregon Border Economic Development Board, and the Eastern Oregon Workforce Board to support this initiative. We are looking to hire an internship coordinator and we have funding for a two-year position to build a solid foundation for the program. With the seed-funding grant, we’ll be able to use that to focus on the evaluation piece. It will be really beneficial for us to make sure that we know the best way to move the needle forward, and how we’re going to evaluate it as we go through the process of implementation to have good measurements. It will also really help us communicate with our partners moving forward.”

Reflecting on the team’s experience and the value of participation, Brody shared that “it was hard work, but it was done extremely well…I liked the remote opportunity and I honestly don’t know if we could have participated because of the cost of travel. I don’t know how the Impact Collaborative matched the coaches with the teams, but David was a great fit for us because he understands rural remote and the environment we work in… I’ve gone back to the Impact Collaborative workbook and tools numerous times…I’ve never had an opportunity like this…it was refreshing to get this learning experience and it’s a comfort knowing that I can email, and someone will help connect us to what we need.”

eXtension’s Impact Collaborative program is available to eXtension Foundation members. The Impact Collaborative fosters the incubation of innovative ideas and provides a unique, structured, and supported process that enables Extension to work with community partners to find and implement the kinds of solutions that will result in the greatest local impact. eXtension Foundation members can learn more about upcoming opportunities with the Impact Collaborative program at extension.org or by joining Connect Extension at connect.extension.org. 

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Five Extension Project Teams Receive Seed-Funding Grants from Impact Collaborative Summit

Twenty-five teams representing twenty-six Cooperative Extension institutions attended the first Virtual Impact Collaborative Summit on October 13th and 14th. Using technology – including Zoom and virtual whiteboards – participants were connected with tools, resources, coaches, facilitators, and Key Informants in a customized experience designed to catalyze their work.

Teams were provided one-on-one coaching from twenty-six of our Impact Collaborative’s Innovation Facilitator network. Twenty-five Key Informants from across Extension and other external organizations assisted teams on a range of topics including catalyzing innovation; program development and evaluation; community partnerships; communications, marketing and digital engagement; diversity, equity, and inclusion; educational technology and instructional design; visualization; and more.

All teams were invited to apply for seed-funding grants made available by the eXtension Foundation with the opportunity of awarding one grant per Cooperative Extension region and to an additional team with a nationally focused program. 14 applications were received and five teams were selected. Descriptions of each are listed below:

National Team Award

Globalizing Extension Innovation Network
 South Carolina State University, Virginia Tech, University of Kentucky, North Carolina State University, Florida A&M University, University of Minnesota, Penn State University, Purdue University

A Globalizing Extension Innovation Network for the US CES community which creates space for collaboration and connection, enabling global engagement, impact sharing, visibility, advocacy, and resource acquisition unlike standalone efforts.

Western Region Award

Malheur Workforce Readiness
Oregon State University

A workforce readiness program for underserved youth that connects the learning needs of youth to the talent needs of industry resulting in a more inclusive and vibrant local economy by equipping youth with job-ready skills breaking the cycle of poverty, unlike traditional Career Technical Education programs that end when students graduate from high school.

Northeastern Region Award

Tioga County Workforce
Cornell University

A training program for people, ages 14-24, that connects individuals with disabilities to a community collaboration enabling; education, engagement, and workforce goals unlike current structures that see many young people fall through the cracks.

North Central Region Award

Cook County Composting Initiative
University of Illinois

As the second most populous county in the nation, we believe Cook County can take the lead in reducing methane gas emissions from landfills by diverting organic waste through composting initiatives, thus helping to mitigate climate change and enhance the quality of our environment.

1890 Region Award

Bulldog Tenacity Youth Intervention and Prevention Support
South Carolina State University

An at-risk intervention program for non-violent and unintentional contact youth that reduces recidivism rates and further contact with DJJ and/or any other law enforcement agencies by providing support, intervention and education programs based upon evidence, research-based best practices enabling citizenship, financial literacy, college and career readiness.