Open AccessUniversity of California 4-H Latino Initiative: Experiences of Bicultural and Bilingual Staff
Author(s) -
Steven Worker,
María G. Fábregas Janeiro,
Claudia P. Díaz Carrasco,
Katherine Soule
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of youth development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.191
H-Index - 3
eISSN - 2325-4017
pISSN - 2325-4009
DOI - 10.5195/jyd.2019.667
Subject(s) - positive youth development , focus group , psychology , medical education , pedagogy , sociology , developmental psychology , medicine , anthropology
We report data from the first year of an initiative to engage Latino youth and families in the 4-H Youth Development Program, managed by the University of California. Through qualitative questionnaires and focus group interviews, we analyzed experiences of 6 new bilingual and bicultural program staff, hired specifically to implement youth development programming to reach Latino youth. Staff reported a steep learning curve, with competing demands to build relationships, engage youth, and show results. Lessons learned may help shape activities that other youth development programs may consider in similar efforts.