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| ECOP Chair Ed Jones records thoughts on the evolution of eXtension (video found here). |
Save the Dates - ECOP Meeting Calendar - ECOP Chair Ed Jones is pleased to release the meeting calendar for 2019 (October 2018 - September 2019). To view/download the most recent edition go to www.extension.org/ecop where the calendar and more is available. ECOP Meetings are open. Agenda items are generated through contact with standing committees (Executive, Professional Development-formerly Personnel, Program, 4-H Leadership, Budget & Legislative), joint committees and task forces such as the National Impacts Database Committee and through contact with Liaisons, for example, eXtension Foundation, Board on Human Sciences (BoHS) and Council on Agricultural Research, Extension and Teaching (CARET) with the support of the Extension Directors and Administrator (EDA) Team. Questions about ECOP materials and resources may be directed to Executive Director Rick Klemme rickklemme@extension.org or Assistant Director Sandy Ruble sandyruble@extension.org.
SNAP-Ed and EFNEP Core Competency Report RFP - With an awareness of the importance of continuing to build capacity and competencies in low-income nutrition education programs, and in anticipation of the possible changes due to the Farm Bill, the Land-grant University SNAP-Ed Program Development Team (PDT) and its National Land-grant University SNAP-Ed Office at South Dakota State University have posted a Request for Proposals (RFP; link is for direct download of a Word document and permission may be required) to create a “Core Competency Report” for Land-grant University SNAP-Ed and EFNEP Programs. SNAP-Ed and EFNEP state coordinators and program supervisors use core competencies in hiring, training, and performance management decisions. Competencies also contribute to systematic program effectiveness across the country, while allowing for state and local flexibility. The intent of this project is to conduct a thorough review of existing competencies and associated resources and to revise and update such so that programs remain current and relevant for the foreseeable future. Resources from the report will be used to enhance programmatic quality and improve professional results. Proposals are due no later than November 6, 2018. Extension Directors and Administrators with oversight of EFNEP and/or SNAP-Ed Programs who do not have no members on the proposal selection committee are eligible and encouraged to apply. Direct questions about eligibility to Sandra Jensen at sandra.jensen@sdstate.edu and other concerns to Vicki Soren at SDSU at 605-688-4989. This project is affirmed by ECOP and the Board on Human Sciences, sponsored by the PDT, and is to be funded through the SNAP-Ed assessment.
National Digital Extension Education Team Provides Input on USDA National Initiative - The USDA Agriculture and Rural Prosperity Task Force Report, released in October 2017, lists advancing e-Connectivity to unserved/underserved communities as a top priority. In response, USDA Rural Utilities Service plans to invest $600 million to support the priority, released July 2018. The National Digital Education Extension Team provided input on this new opportunity during the comment period, with leadership from Monica Babine (Washington State), Brian Whitacre (Oklahoma State), Roberto Gallardo (Purdue), Neal Vines (Virginia Tech) and Keith Taylor (University of California), and the Southern Rural Development Center. Main points were (1) expanded definitions of minimum access speed to provide more equitable standards; (2) an appeal for improved data sources; and (3) showcase of ways Extension Service can assist communities through convening, facilitation, research, and education. The point of contact for the Team is Rachel Welborn rachel.welborn@msstate.edu.
SNAP-Ed PDT Represented at National SNAP Conference - To help raise awareness of Land-grant SNAP-Ed programs Lauren Tobey, Oregon State University, representing the Program Development Team (PDT), attended the 2018 annual conference of the American Association of SNAP Directors and the National Association of State TANF Administrators, held in Reno, Nevada in August. Lauren exhibited the PDT resources to an audience from 41 states, the District of Columbia, and the US Virgin Islands, as well as to USDA regional and national employees. Prior to the conference, Lauren collected impact reports from around the System to provide a sampling of program tools to showcase at the event. Highlights included:
- University-backed research and subject matter expertise
- Deep connections throughout states with residents and partner organizations that can leverage/expand SNAP-Ed funds
- The power of Land-grants to connect between states and across the country to spread resources even further
