Colleagues, 

We are pleased to announce the establishment of the Youth Extension
Service (YES). YES was created in response to the growing needs of
military families for youth development programming.  This initiative is
designed to expand and enrich the efforts of the United States
Department of Defense through Joint Family Support Assistance Program
(JFSAP) and Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program (YRRP).  This initiative
is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S.
Department of Agriculture and the U. S. Department of Defense.

YES interns provide youth development programming for military youth
while their parents and/or guardians are participating in pre- and/or
post-deployment processing.  This goal is accomplished through a cohort
of 25 to 30 college-aged students who serve as YES interns for one year
while continuing their university studies.  YES interns are recruited
from universities across the nation, and are interested in pursuing
careers in Extension, community-based organizations, non-profits and/or
military family-related support.  Typically, YES interns are rising
juniors or seniors in college.  They are selected through a national
search, application and interview process.  

After their selection as YES interns, they receive high-level training
in leadership development, facilitation skills, youth development and
curriculum.  As a result of the training and experience, YES interns
become highly skilled youth development leaders and facilitators. YES
interns are equipped with cutting-edge technology and support to ensure
their success.  Each YES staff intern is required to select a related
research project to complete during his/her year of service.  YES
interns will work with a professional who will serve as a mentor
throughout their yearlong service.  The topic is approved by the YES
program director and efforts will be made to assist YES interns so that
they may receive college credit for their projects.  YES interns are
prime candidates for future employment in the public sector.

Throughout their year of service, YES interns are deployed in teams to
different states to provide youth development programming and support
for military children and youth.  This need is especially critical
during adult-focused events and activities for military personnel,
spouses, significant others and other appropriate family members.  YES
intern teams are scheduled for a location for two to three days (usually
a weekend) depending upon the programming needs and audience size at
that particular location.   The youth development programs offered at
the site are based on the ages, interests and duration of the program
for the youth participants.

YES interns receive a stipend and the program covers all expenditures
incurred related to the YES initiative.  This national program is housed
at NC State University in the Department of 4-H Youth Development and
Family & Consumer Sciences.

Within the next few weeks we will begin recruiting our first cohort of
YES interns.  We are requesting your assistance in getting this email
and future emails regarding this program to faculty and students at your
institutions.  Another email will be released soon with more details on
the program and the position announcements.  If you have questions
regarding this program, please feel free to contact me at
[log in to unmask] 

Marshall Stewart
Principal Investigator, Project YES

Extension programs and employment are available to all without
discrimination. Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your
local Extension office. This material is based upon work supported by
the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, and the U. S. Department of Defense under Award No.
2009-48667-05833. Developed in partnership with [lead university] and
[other universities, alphabetically listed].  Any opinions, findings,
conclusions, or recommendations expressed herein are those of the
author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department
of Agriculture.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
To view the archives of the CASNR list or Join/Leave this list:
http://listserv.utk.edu/archives/casnr.html