Rationale and recommendations for strengthening the intergenerational agenda within Cooperative Extension

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Rationale and recommendations for strengthening
the intergenerational agenda within Cooperative
Extension
Larry F. Forthun, Ph.D., CFLE, Assistant
Professor of Human Development Intergenerational
Approaches to Healthy Families and
Communities Family, Youth, and Community
Sciences, University of Florida Gainesville, FL 
32611-0310 -and- Kyle L.
Kostelecky, Ph.D., CFLE, Family Life Extension
Specialist Intergenerational Programs Aging
Families Human Development Family Studies, Iowa
State University
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• Intergenerational programs represent a practical
  and effective means to enrich the lives of
  individuals across the lifespan, strengthen
  family support systems, and contribute to the
  social cohesion of communities.

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Benefits

• Young people have the opportunity to contribute,
  to feel valued by adults, and to be inspired and
  supported by adult role models
• Older people are encouraged to remain active and
  engaged in their communities
• Older people believe that their skills and
  experiences are respected and they enjoy a
  greater sense of belonging in their communities

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Benefits

• Participants of all ages are given the
  opportunity to contribute to the well being of
  others in their communities while gaining
  confidence in their abilities.
• Participants gain a greater understanding about
  people of other age groups and cultures.
• The development of new, cost-effective ways to
  address community problems participants of all
  ages become more engaged in civic affairs.

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• Intergenerational approaches are consistent with
  Extensions organizational culture and
  educational philosophy of working with people of
  all races, religions, and age groups.
• Intergenerational approaches are also consistent
  with Extensions tradition of enlisting adults as
  collaborators and volunteers to promote healthy
  youth, family, and community development.

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10 Broad Categories

• Aging awareness
• Arts and culture
• Caregiving
• Employment
• Family economics and resource management
• Health, nutrition, physical activity, and
  wellness
• Horticulture and leisure activities
• Professional preparation and volunteer
  development
• Service learning
• Youth development

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Expanding Extensions Capacity

• Recommendations from Working Group
• Staff hiring and training
• Developing systems for recruiting senior
  volunteers
• Increasing access to information, resources, and
  networking opportunities in the intergenerational
  arena
• Increasing capacity to respond to new conditions
  or emergencies
• Recognition of intergenerational innovators
• Strengthening the research base

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Where do we go from here?