University of Missouri Extension improves people’s lives with education and research from the four campuses of the University of Missouri System. All Extension programs focus on the identified high-priority needs of people throughout the state. Each county Extension center, with oversight by locally elected and appointed citizens, is your local link to these unbiased resources and programs. The following is an update of events in Extension’s Southwest Region, specifically in Springfield.
A. Extension Provides Life Skills Training at Area Domestic Violence Shelters
Domestic Violence shelters in Springfield continue to stay full, yet lack adequate resources for services and education. According to Pat Williams, Extension Specialist, “Domestic violence is a major cause of family homelessness; as many as half of the homeless women and children become that way because of violence in their homes.”
A University of Missouri Extension (Extension) Family and Community Resource Program grant and Extension – Alianzas Program funds made possible the hiring of two Hispanic and English-literate individuals to translate a resource book for victims of domestic violence. Also, a Domestic Violence Prevention Team was developed to present training to area shelters. The Extension catalyst team originally consisted of two types of Specialists. After learning about regional domestic violence issues in the southwest region, the team has expanded to five Extension Specialists and one 4-H Youth Program Assistant.
“Several meetings and many phone calls regarding needs assessment were made through the Extension’s southwest region to determine the programs to be taught at shelters,” reported Mr. Williams. Lafayette House in Joplin, The Helping Hand in Branson, Freedom’s Rest in Ozark, and the Family Violence Shelter in Springfield received training. Programs included Tackling the Tough Skills, Building Strong Families, Anger Management, Spectrum Temperament, and Multicultural Awareness.
B. Ozark Regional Alliances Takes Step to Insure Future Support for Community
According to Pat Williams, Extension Specialist, “ORA is a consortium of forty agencies, organizations, and individuals who meet monthly to network and share programs and resources to deal with the multicultural changes occurring in the Ozarks. For the past three years, organizations within ORA have written grants and supplied monies for projects in the immigrant communities throughout the southwest region of Missouri.”
Unfortunately, state and federal budget cuts have dried up monies that service providers donated to ORA to fund projects. It has come time for ORA to apply for its own 501 3c status so it can collectively pursue grants and funding for projects that the board deems justifiable to support desired outcomes.
Extension’s Alianzas Program has been essential in helping to coordinate and bring together all of the players in this endeavor. Extension Community Development Specialists have completed the State filing for this new status and are now in the process of filing with the federal government.
C. Forest Institute Students Receive Cultural Awareness Programming
According to Pat Williams, Extension Specialist, “It is imperative that students being trained to deal with the psychological needs of our citizens understand the ever changing culture we now have in the Ozarks.”
Dr. Judith Gonzales of Mano A Mano (Hand in Hand) Multicultural Center has helped to develop collaboration between Extension and Forest Institute of Psychology. Extension Specialists Jim Wirth and Pat Williams have provided programs involving diversity training and cultural awareness to the Institute’s students.
The goal of this training is to educate students on the following issues.
-- Service providers must form collaborations with agencies serving minority populations upon accepting federal monies.
-- Missouri schools are experiencing an increase in minority students.
-- There are certain populations which are being under-served by area support services.
-- Tools to combat racism at work and in the public.
-- Extension offers resources in mental health and diversity awareness.
-- Alianzas ( http://www.alianzas.us ) resources.
Contact: Pat Williams, 417-8629-284, williamsjp@missouri.edu
