Extension Foundation 2021 Mid-Year Update

,

We are excited to provide you with a mid-year update about the Extension Foundation and our progress towards helping Cooperative Extension (CES) make a greater impact on local issues. 

Funding to the Cooperative Extension System (2020-2021)

  • $22.4M in 2020-2021
    • 85% to LGU’s
    • Total of $19M to LGU’s across Extension program areas

Funding Sources (2020-2021): 

  • $2M EPA Pesticide Safety Education Funds Management Program (PSEFMP)
    • 85% to LGUs
  • $4.9M USDA-NIFA New Technologies for Ag Extension (NTAE)
    • 45% to to LGUs
    • 55% to capacity-building solutions
    • Including over $800K to the 7 ECOP Priority Action Teams
  • $8.9M CDC/USDA-NIFA Extension Collaborative on Immunization Teaching & Engagement (EXCITE)
    • 95% to LGUs
  • $6.6M received by NTAE and Impact Collaborative teams across health, workforce and Ag & Natural resources
    • 100% to LGUs

Our Impact

  • Allied with ECOP, CDC and USDA-NIFA for the EXCITE $9.9M interagency effort–the Foundation is providing solutions to the programmatic needs for 96 projects; seamlessly delivered 95% of funding to the Cooperative Extension System (CES)–enabling critical education outreach through 72 LGUs for underserved and vaccine-hesitant populations. 
  • Delivered NTAE program acceleration and Key Informant services funded by USDA-NIFA through OK State with nine LGUs; Twelve CES projects to date unleashed new funding, expanded resources and private sector partnerships–returned to institutions stronger and ready to deepen community impact. 
  • Developed digital infrastructure to support CES during the pandemic–enabling user-generated content, resource-sharing and advertising; created 5K accounts, advertised 2K+ events–engaged 2.1M public with CES content across the country.
  • Launched first ever National Registry of CES Programs and Assets–registered 150 programs in the first two months to speed up collaboration and access to a living database of efforts nationwide–supports rapid-response to system-wide funding opportunities (e.g., EXCITE).
  • Bolstered collaboration among 52 LGU Pesticide Safety Education Programs–delivered $1M in EPA funding to 52 LGUs, average award of $18K while expanding capacity for applicator training and safe application.
  • Actively supporting the incubation of innovation for 57 member institutions; 250+ CES project teams served; 175 facilitators trained; $6M+ in funding awarded to Impact Collaborative teams.
  • Connecting three institutions to realize 1890’s capacity-building academy; coordinated 24 innovation coaches to assist 15 teams; presented 20 virtual sessions for 2nd cohort–improved five aspects of team effectiveness by 6.2% average in six months, hit 96% satisfaction rating; offering regional assistantship for 3rd cohort.

Extension Foundation History

Created by Extension Directors and Administrators starting in 2001, Extension Foundation facilitates and supports the success of Extension professionals and systems. The bylaws state the Foundation’s purpose is: Helping Cooperative Extension professionals make a visible and measurable impact on local issues. A timeline of our history including the logo change from eXtension to the Extension Foundation is available here. 

/by

New Extension Foundation Report Available: Technologies Impacting the Cooperative Extension System

, , , , ,

The Extension Foundation, in partnership with a research team from Ohio State University, has released a new report on emerging technologies. The “Extension Foundation Report on Emerging Technologies Impacting the Cooperative Extension System” was supported by funding from the New Technologies for Agricultural Extension (NTAE) project. 

The report was developed by the research team in part through interviews with a panel of thirteen experts representing all five Extension regions, as well as non-Extension personnel. Panel participants were selected based on their background and experiences in adult learning and development, applied technology use, and innovation. 

The research team was led by Dr. Jerold Thomas, an associate professor with Ohio State University Extension/Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership (ACEL). Dr. Thomas is also affiliated with OSU’s Leadership Center, where he serves as a leader for innovation and change. Other members of the team include Dr. Julie Aldridge, Assistant Research Professor, Ohio State University, College of Engineering; and Emma Newell, Communication Specialist and Researcher, Department of Agricultural Communication,  Education, and Leadership, Ohio State University.

The research goals were to identify emerging technologies, and to propose impacts on Extension  programming, professional development, and policy through 2025. The research process was impacted by the pandemic and first-hand experiences of the research team and panel, who, like other professionals across the nation, were thrust into work-at-home environments. Research for the report included primary and secondary sources, and focused on the following questions:

  • What emerging technologies will be most important to Cooperative Extension programs over the next three to five years?
  • What key trends do you expect to accelerate the adoption of emerging technology across Cooperative Extension programs?
  • What significant challenges may impede the adoption of emerging technologies across Cooperative Extension programs?

The panel and research team identified seven emerging technologies of critical importance: 

  • 5G mobile wireless technologies
  • Artificial intelligence (AI)
  • Adaptive learning
  • Assistive learning technologies
  • Block-chain
  • Internet of things (IoT)
  • Adaptive/Virtual technologies 

The report provides a helpful summary of each technology and includes a discussion of the potential impacts and possibilities represented by each for Extension work. The digital divide and larger equity issues (including algorithm bias) emerged as a major challenge and critical issue to consider with all emerging technologies. Other recommendations from the report center on professional development, and policy. 

Dr. Thomas noted that “This report is a good starting point for Extension professionals to learn about the impacts of emerging technologies on the Cooperative Extension System. This includes understanding changes in our systems of professional development, how we work, policies, and others. Online discussions about the report are being planned to share the findings, seek input, and develop conversations about the report’s implications for Extension.”

Dr. Thomas will hold a webinar discussing the report and its findings on Tuesday, October 20th, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. ET. Look for more details in early fall. 

 

Extension Foundation has a long tradition of investigating new and existing trends around innovation and technology. The 2016 Horizon Report (Freeman, et al., 2016) focused on emerging technologies in the Cooperative Extension Service (CES) through 2021. That report is available here. In 2020, Extension Foundation published an eFieldbook on using digital technology in Extension education. The Extension Foundation’s Connect Extension platform provides an opportunity for Extension professionals interested in technology to participate in the technology in Extension education virtual subgroup. Join Connect Extension here.

Photo by Firmbee.com on Unsplash

/by

Now Available: The National Registry of Cooperative Extension Programs and Assets

, ,

This tool is now available to Cooperative Extension. Join 50+ other Extension programs that have already registered!

Responding to specific requests in regional meetings and through various projects including EXCITE, the Extension Foundation has developed a National Registry of Cooperative Extension Programs and Assets (NRCEPA). This tool will enable Cooperative Extension professionals to register their projects, programs, or curriculum for nationwide collaboration among Cooperative Extension colleagues.

  • The intent of this tool is to assist Extension professionals to quickly find other like-programming efforts across the system to reduce duplication of work, and help speed up access to digital assets that would be useful to the development of new programs.
  • At the request of Extension leaders, the NRCEPA provides ready-access to a living database of efforts across the system in order to rapidly respond to system-wide funding opportunities. 

The NRCEPA was co-designed with a number of individuals and organizations across Cooperative Extension including the ECOP Health Innovation Task Force, and the National Urban Extension Leaders (NUEL).

Check it out at extension.org/registry


The National Urban Extension Leaders (NUEL) has been talking about the need to have a national database that allows for the collection of current Extension program efforts in urban and metropolitan spaces to better allow Extension to tell it’s ‘Urban Impacts’ story. The National Registry is what we had been hoping for…and so much more!

– Marie Ruemenapp, Extension Specialist & Co-Director Urban Collaborators, Michigan State University Extension

Features

  • When registering a project, program, or curriculum, users are invited to add any digital assets they feel may be helpful to their peers nationally for download. This includes evaluation tools, images, videos, text for campaigns, and more.
  • Auto-segments Cooperative Extension programs by program area including Ag & Natural Resources, 4-H/Youth Development, FACS, Community Development, Immunization Education, and Urban Extension.
  • After submitting your program, project, or curriculum to the registry, you’ll be able to return anytime to make updates.
  • Dynamic search helps users find what they need quickly by keyword.

The Extension Collaborative on Immunization Teaching and Engagement (EXCITE) piloted the NRCEPA as a means of taking a landscape assessment of immunization education programs across Cooperative Extension. This enabled EXCITE to see the scope of efforts already happening across Cooperative Extension on capacity funds, identify potential collaborations, share curriculums and materials, and lift up the work happening in this area to our CDC and USDA-NIFA partners.

– Michelle Rodgers, Associate Dean and Director, University of Delaware, EXCITE Project Director

Follow the National Registry on Twitter at @NRCEPA for real-time updates with new program, project, and curriculum submissions. 

This work is supported in part by New Technologies for Ag Extension grant no. 2020-41595-30123 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

/by

New Technologies for Ag Extension (NTAE) Year 3 Application Workshop

,

NTAE acceleration projects are selected to align with the USDA Strategic Plan and are early stage (have goals, expected impacts, some project start up activities) and have high potential for impact.  Selected projects will receive support from a catalyst team to advise and mentor projects and support from Key Informants who will work with the team to increase skills and capacities in leadership, partnership, marketing and communications, publishing and digital engagement, evaluation, professional development and project management.

Projects with these types of support are able to accelerate their project’s targeted impact, scope, digital presence and provide excellent training for CES professionals.  Projects not selected for Year 3 projects will have an opportunity to debrief their applications with the review team.

The purpose of this workshop is to help teams create informed, strong, viable NTAE project proposals for the NTAE Year 3 funding cycle.

In this workshop, teams will:

  • Learn about project selection criteria and specific application components.
  • Receive hands-on application development time in addition to instructions and tips,
  • Learn next steps for completing your application.

Registration Information:

  • All team members should attend together.
  • All team members need to register individually, and under the same Team/Project Name.
  • All project teams planning on applying for NTAE Year 3 are strongly encouraged to participate.

Teams Should Come with the Following Information About Their Proposed Project:

  • Targeted audience
  • A current project that is ready for acceleration and growth
  • Be ready to work collaboratively using an application template (Join the Workshop using a computer with video, not phone).

Register Here

/by

Extension Collaborative on Immunization Teaching & Engagement Announces Funding Recipients for Activities 1 and 2

,

The Extension Foundation, in cooperation with the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy, through an Interagency Agreement with the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are funding the Cooperative Extension System to address health disparities among rural and other underserved communities. This initiative is called the Extension Collaborative on Immunization Teaching & Engagement (EXCITE).
The EXCITE program serves all Land-grant universities through two sets of activities: system-wide engagement with the CDC’s Vaccinate with Confidence communication campaign (Activity 1) and selected adult immunization education pilot projects (Activity 2).
72 applications for non-competitive Activity 1 funding were received from Land-grant institutions representing all six regions of Cooperative Extension. 30 applications were received for competitive Activity 2 funding involving 38 Land-grant institutions representing five regions of Cooperative Extension; 24 were selected for funding.

Below is a list of institutions receiving funding for Activity 1 and Activity 2:

Activity 1 Recipients:

Alabama A&M University
Alcorn State University
American Samoa Community College
Auburn University
Bay Mills Community College
Cankdeska Cikana Community College
Central State University
Clemson University
College of the Menominee Nation
College of the Muscogee Nation
Colorado State University Extension
Cornell University
Delaware State University
Florida A&M University
Fort Valley State College
Iowa State University
Kansas State University
Kentucky State University
Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College
Langston University
Lincoln University
Louisiana State University
Michigan State University
Mississippi State University
Montana State University
Nebraska Indian Community College
New Mexico State University
North Carolina A&T State University
North Carolina State University
North Dakota State University
Ohio State University
Oklahoma State University
Oregon State University
Pennsylvania State University
Prairie View A&M University
Purdue University
Red Lake Nation College
Rutgers University
Southern University
Tennessee State University
Texas A&M University
University of Arizona
University of Arkansas
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
University of California System
University of Connecticut
University of Delaware
University of Florida
University of Georgia
University of Hawaii
University of Idaho
University of Illinois
University of Kentucky
University of Maine
University of Maryland
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
University of Minnesota
University of Missouri
University of Nebraska
University of Nevada, Reno
University of New Hampshire
University of Rhode Island
University of Tennessee
University of Vermont
University of Wisconsin-Madison
University of Wyoming
Utah State University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Virginia State University
Washington State University
West Virginia State University
West Virginia University

Activity 2 Recipients & Collaborators:

Auburn University & Alabama A&M University
Colorado State University
Cornell University
Kentucky State University & University of Kentucky
Lincoln University
Mississippi State University & Alcorn University
New Mexico State University
North Carolina State University
Oregon State University
Pennsylvania State University
Tennessee State University
University of Arkansas
University of Florida & Florida A&M University
University of Georgia
University of Idaho
University of Illinois & Purdue University
University of Maryland & University of Delaware
University of Maryland Eastern Shore & Delaware State University
University of Missouri
University of New Hampshire
University of Tennessee
University of Vermont
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University & Virginia State University
West Virginia State University & West Virginia University

/by

Extension Collaborative on Immunization Teaching and Engagement: May 2021 Immunization Education Programs Spotlight

,

Cooperative Extension programs are making an impact on communities across the country with immunization education efforts, particularly with vaccine-hesitant individuals. Activities include mobile vaccination clinics in partnership with local health organizations, social media campaigns, the development of online toolkits promoting research-based immunization information, and more. This month, the EXCITE program is highlighting how an immunization education program in Virginia implemented a hotline phone registration system that now receives 28% of all vaccination registrants in the county, and how a team in Louisiana is using social media to promote COVID-19 vaccination fact sheets.

The Extension Foundation, in cooperation with the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP), through an Interagency Agreement (IAA) with the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are funding the Cooperative Extension System (CES) to address health disparities among rural and other underserved communities. This initiative is called the Extension Collaborative on Immunization Teaching & Engagement (EXCITE).

The EXCITE program serves all land-grant universities through two-phases of activities: system-wide engagement with the CDC’s Vaccinate with Confidence communication campaign, and adult immunization education pilot projects.

Those across Cooperative Extension working in the area of Immunization Education have been registering their programs in the National Registry of Cooperative Extension Programs and Assets (NRCEPA). The NRCEPA is a new tool made available through the Extension Foundation to create a living database of Cooperative Extension programs, projects, and curriculums to rapidly identify existing work across the system for national funding opportunities. Currently, the NRCEPA is in pilot with the EXCITE program.

For May 2021, EXCITE is highlighting two programs registered in the NRCEPA that are working in the area of immunization education:

Madison County COVID Vaccination Clinics

The Virginia Cooperative Extension in Madison County worked with the local health districts and hospitals to create a county-wide COVID Vaccine hotline registration system and vaccine clinic to target the county’s underserved population. By implementing a hotline phone registration system, they were able to decrease registration barriers which allowed for farmworkers, elderly with limited or no internet access, and those with limited English proficiency to register for vaccines. Due to this innovative and efficient effort, Madison county has now administered 4466 vaccines at the clinic with 28% of the registrants coming through the vaccine hotline. The Virginia Cooperative Extension will continue to build on its trusted relationship with the public to implement strategies to vaccinate hard to reach and hesitant populations.

In the NRCEPA, this program has offered several digital assets to assist other Cooperative Extension programs. This includes their vaccine appointment form template, COVID-19 Vaccine 101 factsheets, infographics, and sample advertisements.

COVID-19 Vaccine Education/Outreach Initiative – Southern University

In Louisiana, Southern University Extension Agency was facing the issue of low vaccine registration turnout due to medical mistrust among their community members. Being a trusted community resource, Southern University was able to combat this issue by utilizing their social platforms and website to inform and educate on COVID-19 and vaccinations. Southern University used pre-existing information and data from the CDC to create fact-sheets for their website, as well as the CDC social media guide to launch campaigns and webinars on the COVID-19 vaccine. This outreach and education program was an initiative created to educate and advise their underserved population on vaccines and the need for immunization.

In the NRCEPA, this program has offered several digital assets to assist other Cooperative Extension programs. This includes several infographics and fact sheets.

/by

Extension.org Email Aliases to be Retired

,

This message is a call to all those using an extension.org email address. As a reminder, everyone who ever created an “eXtension ID” was issued an address such as name@extension.org. Many of you may be using your @extension.org email address as a simple alias or forwarding address. If you are using your extension.org email address in that manner, then you should know that on July 1, 2021, that email redirection will cease because we are retiring the legacy application that manages these aliases. 

What You Can Do

It is important that you check and update your email signature blocks, your reply-to addresses, logins on third party sites, or any other communications and publications to be sure you are no longer using such addresses.

In some cases, there may be very logical reasons why you would want or need to retain this address and use it for an actual email box: 

  • You may represent a working group of some sort that needs an address representing the group and not an individual within the group. 
  • Or, your use of the extension.org email address is so embedded in your history that you would find it difficult to remove.  
  • Or, you are working on a project for the Extension Foundation where you really need to hold yourself out as being a representative of the Foundation.

If you feel it important that you retain this address, then please let us know by email to contact-us@extension.org.  We can accommodate those needs on a case by case basis. Just let us know your needs.

What this Means

The People (people.extension.org) application will be decommissioned (taken offline) on July 1, 2021. This is because the legacy tools this technology once supported have also been decommissioned over the past few years in favor of upgraded tools that do not require eXtension IDs.

Connect Extension (https://connect.extension.org) has provided greatly enhanced capability for bringing together networks, but uses its own authentication system. The new Ask Extension platform (ask2.extension.org) also does not require an eXtension ID.

Questions or Concerns?

Please reach out to the Extension Foundation Solutions Team at contact-us@extension.org.

/by

RFA: New Technologies for Ag Extension Accelerator Program Year 3 Projects

,

 

 

 

REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS
Accelerator Program Year 3 Projects
Funded by a Cooperative Agreement with the USDA-NIFA New Technologies for Ag Extension Program awarded to Oklahoma State University

SUMMARY: Project/program team leaders are invited to apply to this NTAE Program Accelerator. By the end of one year, accelerated programs are stronger, better-resourced, and more easily adopted or adapted by others across the Cooperative Extension system to serve the needs of people and communities.  For one year, project leaders and teams are partnered with the Extension Foundation and are coached to identify new possibilities and strengthen their planned impact. Each team receives support to create materials and experiences that engage Extension resources to speed development and generate a change where it is desired. In addition to stipend funding, the full value of this program is in the accelerator experience. Awardees can expect robust and productive interaction with a group of catalysts and key informants in a mentoring role to help the leader and their team grow professionally over the course of a one- year partnership. 

AWARD DATES: September 1, 2021 -August 31, 2022

ELIGIBILITY: The RFA for NTAE Year 3 Projects is open to all Land Grant University Cooperative Extension professionals from 1862, 1890, and 1994 institutions. LGUs may submit more than one project nomination. 

AWARD: Approximately eight projects will be awarded.

  1. Awardees receive $10,000 in the form of a stipend and/or salary and benefits of up to 10K. Indirect costs are not allowed on these funds. Recipients of this funding can be the team leader, team members, or support personnel.
  2. Awardees receive the mentorship of an Extension Foundation Catalyst throughout the 1-year Accelerator Program.
  3. Awardees receive support from Key Informants that is customized to each project’s needs including, but not limited to, team leadership development, communications and marketing/market research, evaluation planning, partnership development, digital engagement, professional development delivery, and publishing of project methodologies and support materials.
  4. The one-year journey for the project leader and team will be unique. Please expect the time commitment for the team leader to be as much as 10 to 20 percent (4-8 hours per week) on average over the course of one year. 

REQUIREMENTS: 

  • All applications must align with the USDA Strategic Goals USDA Strategic goals and align with Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP) program priorities (ECOP) Program Priorities.
  • Projects must be in the early stages of maturity and have a high potential for making a significant local/state impact, and by providing a model for adoption by Extension professionals regionally or nationwide. This means the project is likely to have objectives completed, audiences identified, potential outcomes identified, and implementation planned or in an early stage.
  • Each application should identify a team leader (a Fellow) for the project who will serve as the primary contact.
  • Teams must have at least three (3) members including a project/team leader.
  • All applications must have the support of the Extension Director/Administrator.

TIMELINE: 

  • May 10, 2021 Application Workshop for those interested in strengthening their application
  • May 12, 2021 Application Workshop for those interested in strengthening their application
  • July 16, 2021 Applications Due
  • August 13 Approximate time for award notifications  

AWARD DECISIONS: Award decisions will be considered final. Award decisions will be published on the Extension Foundation Website and emailed to each institution individually.

 

AWARD RECIPIENTS: Awardees will participate in quarterly project meetings along with meetings as needed to work with Catalysts and access Key Informant resources. Quarterly reports are required. 

 

APPLICATION ACCESS: The application is available at https://applyextension.smapply.io/ The proposal will be submitted using an online application linked to  our Application Portal. Applications can be initiated, saved in progress, and completed at a later date. If you do not already have an account in our system, the first step will be to obtain an account by using the registration link in the Application Portal. You can invite other team collaborators to assist in building and submitting your application.

APPLICATION GUIDE: The Application Guide will prepare you to submit your application and provide resources to frame your proposal.  NTAE Application Guide

 

CONTACT INFORMATION: 

Tira Adelman

Extension Foundation

Grants and Project Manager

tiraadelman@extension.org

FURTHER INFORMATION: 

The New Technologies for Agricultural Extension (NTAE) cooperative agreement with the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) through a partnership with Oklahoma State University will enter its third year on September 1, 2021. A key program in the cooperative agreement is the Program Accelerator. The Program Accelerator is a unique partnership between a project/program team and the resources of the Extension Foundation for a year of rapid growth and progress resulting in expanding the team’s local impact and national potential. Our unique methods and team of catalysts and key informants work uniquely with each team to produce scalable, better resourced, and more effective programs and community-based initiatives through a one-year boost of additional support. You can learn more about NTAE projects taking advantage of the Program Accelerator at https://impact.extension.org/ntae/.

Applications for the NTAE Program Accelerator for Year 3 will need to align with the USDA Strategic goals and be early-stage/high potential projects. In Year 3, projects are also sought to align with the Extension Committee on Policy (ECOP) Program Priorities to bring greater support for projects serving multiple national initiatives.  At least one proposal is desired that advances the understanding of an engaged university. Such evidence includes 1) partner programming with nontraditional university units (colleges of liberal arts, engineering, medical school, etc.) and/or 2) co-creation of project design with partners, audience, and/or community members.

 

/by

RFA: Extension Collaborative on Immunization Teaching & Engagement (EXCITE) Immunization Education Pilot Projects (Activity 2)

,

Extension Committee on Organization and Policy, Health Innovation Task Force
Extension Foundation

EXTENSION COLLABORATIVE ON IMMUNIZATION TEACHING AND ENGAGEMENT (EXCITE) IMMUNIZATION EDUCATION PILOT PROJECTS (ACTIVITY 2)

DATES: MAY 1, 2021 – APRIL 30, 2023

ELIGIBILITY: The RFA for EXCITE Activity 2 is open to all Land Grant University CES professionals. Each LGU may apply as part of an unlimited number of lead and collaborating applications for EXCITE Activity 2. At most, one project per institution will be funded, whether the institution is lead or collaborating institution on the application. There is no limit to the number of projects as part of which a principal investigator or team member may apply. EXCITE Activity 2 is a competitive process. 

TIMELINE:

  • Activity 2 RFA Published: upon receipt of the NIFA award notification
  • Activity 2 Application Due: May 14, 2021
  • Activity 2 Applications Review Process May 17-21, 2021 
  • Activity 2 Award Notification: May 24-28, 2021
  • Activity 2 Funds Distribution to Subawardees: May 31-June 4, 2021

FUNDING LIMITS: Up to $200,000 per award for 2 years. 

APPLICATION ACCESS: The application is available at https://applyextension.smapply.io/. The Application Guide and other information is available on the website at https://extension.org/immunization. 

CONTACT INFORMATION: 

Michelle Rodgers

Associate Dean and Director

University of Delaware

EXCITE Project Director

michellerodgers@extension.org

 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The Extension Foundation, in cooperation with the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP), through an Interagency Agreement (IAA) with the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are funding the Cooperative Extension System (CES) to address health disparities among rural and other underserved communities. (AWARD NO: 2021-77041-34831)

The Extension network as a trusted leader in communities across the nation is a key factor in the selection of Extension as a CDC partner. On behalf of the Cooperative Extension System and in collaboration with ECOP, the Extension Foundation serves as Principal Investigator; provides grants administration; fiscal, operational, and technological services; system-wide communication; innovation processes; wrap-around services for projects; data collection and dashboards; and partnership development. Goals of the EXCITE Program include:

 

  1. Address barriers and concerns and increase acceptability about COVID-19, flu and other vaccinations among rural and medically underserved audiences.
  2. Increase connection and communication between targeted communities and healthcare systems.
  3. Increase accessibility of local COVID-19, flu and other adult vaccinations and vaccination clinics.
  4. Inform CDC, USDA-NIFA, Cooperative Extension and health partners to implement public health programs to reduce health disparities.

 

Activity 2 Immunization Education Pilots are competitive and support up to 20 pilots, testing various methodologies to conduct immunization education programs with priority populations for all types of adult vaccinations. Funded projects will work cooperatively with the CDC, local health professionals and programs to improve immunization rates with priority populations.

 

The purpose is to create and test innovative delivery methods for each pilot project and inform future immunization education methodologies of best practices.Immunization Education Pilots will be developed to not only further message testing, but to learn from the selected communities about how CES, CDC, and local health professionals could work together to educate and reach PP for improved adult immunization rates in general.  Pilot projects selected for funding will ideally be diverse in geographic region, scope and delivery cost, and methods  to meet a range  of rural and other medically underserved at-risk areas and communities around COVID-19, flu and other adult vaccinations.

 

  • Participation in a pre-application assist workshop to develop a project including targeted population, a unique value proposition, plan for message testing implementation, and community engagement plan. Application developed with input from CDC key informants with a focus on innovative interventions.  Pilot programs will include at least 1 health partner to collaboratively develop the intervention. Approximately 20 Pilot projects to be selected
  • Awardees conduct intervention activities designed for their priority population.   Market Research will be conducted as a part of the intervention  to understand priority population views and perspectives.  Results will be shared among all Pilot projects. This will  inform a second iteration of the intervention. Teams will engage with technical assistance, key informants and team coaches. Innovative delivery methods will be dependent on the priority population and may include worksite education, train the trainer, media campaigns, development of community leaders as messengers, use of volunteers for local program delivery.  

 

Award and Funding Decisions–Funding decisions will be considered final.  Award decisions will be published on the EXCITE Website and emailed to each institution individually.

Training Awardees–Successful applicants will attend periodic training provided by the Project Director, Assistant Project Director and the Extension Foundation in conjunction with the CDC to ensure all funded applicants have the data and input they may need to implement their projects, and ensure proper fiscal accountability, time and content of progress reports, final reports and any other information that will assist them to successfully manage their projects.

/by

RFA: Extension Collaborative on Immunization Teaching & Engagement (EXCITE) Vaccinate With Confidence for COVID-19 (Activity 1)

,

Extension Committee on Organization and Policy, Health Innovation Task Force
Extension Foundation

EXTENSION COLLABORATIVE ON IMMUNIZATION TEACHING AND ENGAGEMENT (EXCITE) VACCINATE WITH CONFIDENCE FOR COVID-19 (ACTIVITY 1)

DATES: MAY 1, 2021 – APRIL 30, 2022

ELIGIBILITY: The RFA for EXCITE Activity 1 is open to all Extension professionals at all Land-Grant Universities (1862, 1890, 1994). For Activity 1, one application per institution is eligible to be considered, determined at the discretion of the Extension director or administrator, to help ensure the funds are aligned with the highest priority immunization efforts at each Land-Grant University for rural or medically underserved populations. Activity 1 is not a competitive process.

TIMELINE:

  • Activity 1 Application Due: May 7, 2021
  • Activity 1 Applications Review Process May 10-14, 2021
  • Activity 1 Award Notification: May 17-21
  • Activity 1 Funds Distribution to Subawardees: May 17-28

FUNDING LIMITS: In Activity 1 Immunization Education, the project will allocate $24,178 for each 1862 and $26,794 for each 1890 and 1994 respectively. This formula was provided by CDC and is based on 95% of the funding for Activity 1 allocated across all 111 institutions, and 5% allocated to just the 1890 and 1994 institutions due to their engagement with priority audiences. Funding is for one year.

APPLICATION ACCESS: The application is available at https://applyextension.smapply.io/. The Application Guide and other information is available on the website at https://extension.org/immunization.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Michelle Rodgers
Associate Dean and Director
University of Delaware
EXCITE Project Director
michellerodgers@extension.org

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The Extension Foundation, in cooperation with the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP), through an Interagency Agreement (IAA) with the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are funding the Cooperative Extension System (CES) to address health disparities among rural and other underserved communities. (AWARD NO: 2021-77041-34831)
The Extension network as a trusted leader in communities across the nation is a key factor in the selection of Extension as a CDC partner. On behalf of the Cooperative Extension System and in collaboration with ECOP, the Extension Foundation serves as Principal Investigator; provides grants administration; fiscal, operational, and technological services; system-wide communication; innovation processes; wrap-around services for projects; data collection and dashboards; and partnership development. Goals of the EXCITE Program include:

The Activity 1 Vaccinate with Confidence Campaign is designed to test various health messages related to Covid 19 vaccinations and test them in many locations/audiences across the country and to learn what health messages resonate with priority audiences. Vaccinate with Confidence will work primarily on messaging for Covid-19 vaccinations and seek to reduce vaccination hesitancy. Messages will be evaluated and information will be utilized to further increase vaccinations for Covid-19.

  • Identify vulnerable priority populations (PP) in specific geographical locations (county level) using existing data and CDC Rapid Community Assessment Tools
  • Identify key partners to influence and expand reach to the Priority Population
  • Identify key health partners to provide resources/ access to vaccinations for the PP
  • Conduct immunization education intervention through innovative approaches that are informed by rapid community assessment tools. The approaches will be population specific.
  • Interventions may include social media campaigns, educational delivery through trusted community leaders such as faith communities, educational sessions with pop-up immunization clinics, written and oral message points, etc.
  • Monthly reporting to the National Registry of Cooperative Extension Program and Assets (hereafter referred to as the National Registry) tool.
    • Intervention reach
    • Intervention assets
    • Partnerships developed with Extension and health care providers
    • Lessons learned and best practices summarized/communicated

Award and Funding Decisions–Funding decisions will be considered final. Award decisions will be published on the EXCITE Website and emailed to each institution individually.

Training Awardees–Successful applicants will attend periodic training provided by the Project Director, Assistant Project Director and the Extension Foundation in conjunction with the CDC to ensure all funded applicants have the data and input they may need to implement their projects, and ensure proper fiscal accountability, time and content of progress reports, final reports and any other information that will assist them to successfully manage their projects.

/by

Quick Links

Find Extension in Your State
Search Extension
Impact Collaborative
Connect Extension

About
Team & Board
Annual Report
Contact Us

Membership
Campus
Ask Extension
Tools

Privacy Policy
Accessibility Statement
Terms of Use
Careers

Extension Foundation Logo

Our mission is to empower a national network of community-based educators, volunteers, and partners to turn knowledge into real-world solutions for stronger communities and people.

Terms of Use

Cooperative Extension Logo

The Extension Foundation is a nonprofit established in 2006 by Extension Directors and Administrators nationwide. Extension Foundation is embedded in the U.S. Cooperative Extension System and serves on Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP).

USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture

This website is supported in part by New Technologies for Ag Extension (funding opportunity no. USDA-NIFA-OP-010186), grant no. 2023-41595-41325 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or the Extension Foundation.

Sign up for our Newsletter

Stay up to date with the Extension Foundation.

Subscribe