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This issue of the Journal of Human Sciences and Extension focuses on both of these questions and provides readers with in-depth exposure to the meaning of credible and actionable evidence of program effectiveness and quality and how it can be addressed within an organization. The ten articles in this issue cover the basics of what credible and actionable evidence is; how such evidence can be identified, measured, and collected; how credible and actionable evidence can differ depending on different levels of an organization and the stakeholders wanting the evidence; how organizations can build capacity to collect credible and actionable evidence; and how this evidence can best be presented to program stakeholders.

This issue of the Journal of Human Sciences and Extension describes the initial work of the Task Force and then focuses on conclusions and implications from the ECOP-commissioned Health Implementation Action Teams. The purpose of this special issue is to feature the scholarship emanating from the Action Teams and to host that scholarship in one volume to showcase the depth and breadth of work accomplished by the teams. This work speaks to the future of Cooperative Extension. David Buys and Sonja Koukel served as Co-Editors for this special issue.

This special issue continues JHSE's commitment to promoting the practical implications of research – the goal of this issue is to add to the national conversation on urban Extension through a diverse collection of articles for decision makers to efficiently draw upon as they consider urban dynamics and Extension investments. The intent is not to diminish the importance of rural and suburban Extension work but is to better understand unique characteristics of Extension in urban communities. Ultimately, Extension innovation along the entire rural–urban continuum creates connections and impacts that align with Extension's mission.Authors address the distinct aspects of Extension in urban settings through meaningful examples of research, practice, and theory related to Extension positioning, programs, personnel, and partnerships. Contributing authors review historical foundations, current applications, and future influences of urban Extension. This special issue highlights the work of invited authors who have specializations in urban Extension and who represent a range of geographic perspectives. These authors' distinct circumstances and varied experiences collectively benefit Extension. Common themes include engaging diverse stakeholders, valuing partnerships, mobilizing limited resources, and implementing Extension's relevant approach to technical and human dimensions of innovation in metropolitan communities.

This introductory article for the special issue of the Journal of Human Sciences and Extension (JHSE) highlights respectful Extension research and engagement with dynamic urban communities. Like the 2017 urban-themed issue of JHSE, the intent is not to diminish the importance of rural and suburban Extension engagement but to better understand unique experiences of Extension in urban communities. The 35 contributing authors represent a range of geographic and programmatic viewpoints. Insights shared: demonstrate that diversity in our cities is multidimensional; reinforce the importance of culturally relevant engagement; address issues of access, equity, inclusion, and a sense of belonging; highlight the impact of Extension investment in urban partnerships and communities; underscore the complexity in metropolitan areas; and emphasize the value and potential of our national networks. Content in the introductory section indicates national support for urban Extension and presents perspective on diversity. The second section includes seven articles on Extension engagement with urban communities across the country. A few Extension leaders share what they are learning through book and media reviews. Article authors in the final section discuss a sense of belonging and practices to create the future of urban Extension. Articles provide food for thought, opportunities for practical replication or local adaptation, and ideas to keep the dialogue on urban Extension moving forward.

4-H Healthy Living programs address healthy eating; physical activity; social-emotional health and well-being; alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use prevention; and injury prevention. Using the Systematic Screening and Assessment Method, this paper identified 32 4-H Healthy Living programs across the nation ready for comprehensive outcome evaluation and/or national replication based on 6 criteria. Weaknesses in an additional 78 programs that did not meet the criteria were also identified. Programs that failed to meet the criteria did so primarily because they lacked a clearly delineated theory of change or appropriate evaluation. Implications for practice include ways to strengthen program planning and use of a comprehensive evaluation framework. Specific attention is given to professional development for 4-H professionals.

Investing in farmers – or agriculture human capital – is crucial to addressing challenges in our agri-food systems. A global study carried out by the FAO Investment Centre and the International Food Policy Research Institute, with support from the CGIAR Research Programme on Policies, Institutions and Markets and the FAO Research and Extension Unit, looks at agriculture human capital investments, from trends to promising initiatives. One of the nine featured case studies comes from the State of Mississippi in the United States of America. Agencies from i) formal education systems; (ii) nonformal education systems; (iii) state governmental agencies; and (iv) advocacy and commodity groups collaborated to develop agriculture human capital among youth and adults. Agency documents, representatives and clients described technical skills and functional skills developed, resulting in benefits like increased agricultural productivity, reduced expenses, higher individual or farm income, networks linking farmers and other producers, a better prepared workforce and a strong agriculture industry with good economic returns. This publication is part of the Country Investment Highlights series under the FAO Investment Centre's Knowledge for Investment (K4I) programme. ; Non-PR ; IFPRI2; CRP2; 5 Strengthening Institutions and Governance; Capacity Strengthening ; DSGD; PIM ; CGIAR Research Program on Policies, Institutions, and Markets (PIM)

The 4‐H youth development program of the nation's 109 land‐grant universities and the Cooperative Extension System is one of the largest youth development organization in the United States serving approximately six million youth. The 4‐H Healthy Living initiative began in 2008 to promote achievement of optimal physical, social, and emotional well‐being for youth and families. In 2013, the National 4‐H Council sought to identify 4‐H Healthy Living programs in the domains of healthy eating and physical activity that adhered to the national 4‐H Healthy Living mission and were ready for comprehensive outcome evaluation or replication at a national level. This chapter shares findings from an environmental scan of 4‐H programs and (a) identifies programs with evidence of promoting a healthy diet and physical activity, (b) describes program impacts related to healthy diet and physical activity, and (c) clarifies select program characteristics associated with reported healthy eating and/or physical activity outcomes. The RE‐AIM evaluation framework is introduced as an effective approach to assessing program impact for 4‐H Healthy Living and similar out‐of‐school time programs.

AbstractA community collected data to determine what adolescents thought about right and wrong behavior and to identify the best venues for reaching them outside school hours.

Within Extension, environmental scans are most commonly used to assess community or organizational issues or for strategic planning purposes. However, Extension has expanded the use of environmental scans to systematically identify "what programs exist" on a given topic or focus area. Yet, despite recent attention to the topic of environmental scanning in Extension, survey instruments used to conduct environmental scans have not been published. Given the emphasis on implementation of evidence-based practices and programs, having a ready-made survey that can be used to identify programs on a specific topic and that could subsequently lead to an evaluability assessment of those programs would be a useful resource. To encourage the use of environmental scans to identify existing evidence-based programs, this article describes a survey instrument developed for the purpose of scanning for 4-H Healthy Living programs ready for rigorous outcome evaluation and/or national replication. It focuses on the rationale for survey items, as well as provides a summary and definition of those items. The survey tool can be easily adapted for future programmatic environmental scans both within and outside Extension.

There is a tension between 2 alternative approaches to implementing community-based interventions. The evidence-based public health movement emphasizes the scientific basis of prevention by disseminating rigorously evaluated interventions from academic and governmental agencies to local communities. Models used by local health departments to incorporate community input into their planning, such as the community health improvement process (CHIP), emphasize community leadership in identifying health problems and developing and implementing health improvement strategies. Each approach has limitations. Modifying CHIP to formally include consideration of evidence-based interventions in both the planning and evaluation phases leads to an evidence-driven community health improvement process that can serve as a useful framework for uniting the different approaches while emphasizing community ownership, priorities, and wisdom.

One-hundred Black college students attending a historically Black college and university (HBCU) on the east coast of the United States participated in a study intended to explore and provide baseline information on the relationship between violent media consumption and aggression in Black college students. Results suggest that, consistent with college students and emerging adults in general, Black college students are heavy users of violent media and that violent media is related to aggression. This study makes an important contribution to the research literature by illuminating violent media consumption and the relationship between violent media consumption and aggression in a population that has been overlooked or understudied by previous media violence-aggression research.