Children, Youth and Families At-Risk

The objective of the Children, Youth and Families At-Risk (CYFAR) Program is to marshal resources of the Land-grant Institutions (LGIs) and Cooperative Extension Systems (CES) so that, in collaboration with other organizations, they can develop and deliver educational programs that equip youth who are at-risk for not meeting basic human needs with the skills they need to lead positive, productive, and contributing lives. The CYFAR Program is based on research on effective programs for at-risk youth and families and on the human ecological principle of working across the lifespan in the context of the family and community. To assure that the critical needs of children and families are met, CYFAR supports comprehensive, intensive, community-based programs developed with active citizen participation in all phases. CYFAR promotes and equips life and work skill development in youths, families, and communities. These skills help participants lead positive, productive, and contributing lives. CYFAR supports collaboration by forming lasting partnerships to achieve greater outcomes and provides a support base for sustaining programs for those placed at risk. CYFAR also promotes the use of technology to improve programs, provides efficient access to educational resources, and provides essential technological skills for youth and adults in environments where they are placed at-risk. Further, LGIs and CES, in collaboration with other organizations, develop and deliver educational programs that equip military-connected youth with resiliency skills necessary to lead positive, productive, and contributing lives. The CMPC-PDTA provides for professional development and technical assistance to CYFAR 4-H Military partnership programs to ensure continued development and implementation of CMPC-PDTA.