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2005 |
* Beginner's Guide to Grant Writing
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Community needs are dynamic and constantly changing, challenging community leaders to continually seek funds and resources to support community efforts. Now, perhaps more than ever before, communities look to local, state, federal, and private sources for support in the form of grants. A Purdue Extension grant-writing training program has helped participants throughout Indiana secure more than $1 million in funded proposals.
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2005 |
* CARe helps safeguard Indiana communities against rape, sexual assault
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Every year, approximately 2,000 rapes and 4,000 cases of child sexual abuse are reported, according to the National Crime Victims Research Center. The Communities Against Rape Initiative (CARe) in Indiana is a statewide collaboration that facilitates the development of programs to prevent sexual assault and rape, particularly of youth. More than 49 local communities and 27 colleges and universities have joined Purdue in a violence-prevention initiative. Since its inception, 500,000 Hoosiers have participated in prevention education programs. In 2003 alone, 84,000 participated.
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2005 |
* Court-Ordered Money Management Saves Dollars
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Repeat offenders with a history of financial mismanagement were spending time in jail that cost Shelby County taxpayers thousands of dollars each year. Over the course of three years, a Purdue Extension money-management program successfully taught more than 60 offenders personal financial skills that helped keep them out of jail. As a result, taxpayers have saved more than $55,000 in incarceration expenses.
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2005 |
* Detection of low levels of Listeria monocytogenes using a fiber-optic sensor
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A team of food scientists with Purdue’s Center for Food Safety Engineering developed a sensor that can detect the potentially deadly bacteria Listeria monocytogenes in less than 24 hours in concentrations as low as 1,000 cells per milliliter of fluid—an amount about the size of a pencil eraser. The sensor also is selective enough to recognize only the species L. monocytogenes. The sensor’s selectivity, sensitivity and speed make it vastly superior to the types of test kits currently available. If it becomes commercially available, this sensor would reduce product testing time and economic losses from product recalls, and would prevent listeria-related outbreaks and deaths.
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2005 |
* Dos & Don'ts at the Gas Pump: Static Electricity Fires – How to Prevent Them
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Static electricity fires at self-service gas pumps can cause serious injury and even death, yet the fires can be prevented by following safety precautions. Purdue Extension developed a program about static electricity fires at gasoline pumps and how to prevent them. More than 25,000 copies of the program video have been distributed. It’s been translated into Spanish and French for use in Mexico and Canada.
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2005 |
* Educational Opportunities for Adult Learners
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Changes in the economy also dictate that Hoosiers need training and education beyond high school to develop the skills required for higher-paying jobs in growth industries. Across several Indiana counties, Purdue helped create learning centers to teach adult learners topics including computer courses, business trainings, GED test preparation, or Internet classes. More than 1,200 people participated in these training opportunities.
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2005 |
* EFNEP Education Improves Quality of Life for Participants
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The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program helped more than 6,800 Hoosiers in 2004. Families with limited resources learned to eat better and spend their food dollars more wisely. Results show 88 percent of the families involved now consume more nutritious foods and 78 percent improved their food resource-management skills.
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2005 |
* Enhancing Safety, Health, Nutrition and Wellness in the Plain Community
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Due to religious and social beliefs, many Amish families don’t seek out health and safety services. Purdue Extension organized a Safety and Health Fair with other community groups to provide safety, health, and emergency information to the Amish. Of the 175 who attended, 26 percent said they would now install child safety seats in their buggies. Nineteen percent said they would do more to rid their farms of hazards.
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2005 |
* Exploring the Food Pyramid with Professor Popcorn
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Indiana ranks second in the nation in numbers of obese and overweight youth. Nearly 6,000 elementary-aged Hoosiers in 31 counties learned behaviors to help them combat the problem of obesity. Exploring the Food Pyramid with Professor Popcorn covered healthy snacks and food choices, appropriate portion sizes, food safety, and the importance of physical activity. Children who participated were more likely to choose healthy foods and to handle food more safely.
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2005 |
* Field and Farmstead Environmental Assessments and Training Lead to Improved Landowner Decision-Making and Water Quality
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Purdue water quality specialists developed an environmental assessment program that helped Indiana landowners better understand and better protect soil health and water quality. After people requested 42,000 copies of assessment materials, users reported that they made various on-farm changes including planting natural buffers between crops and wetlands, adding beneficial insect habitat borders to fields, soil testing for nutrient management, enhancing wetlands with native vegetation, and improving erosion control measures.
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2005 |
* Focus on Financial Management
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Many women, especially those middle-aged and older, lack confidence in their ability to manage their personal finances and plan for retirement. Purdue Extension developed the course, "Focus on Financial Management," to help women take control of their finances. Thirty-six participants said the statewide program helped them established financial goals. One participant said, "I saved about $600 on my yearly auto insurance premium using the information from our text and by having the class help me focus on my financial 'to do' list."
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2005 |
* Fostering Business Creation
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In Starke and Pulaski counties, economic development directors frequently got questions about starting new businesses. The local Extension educator presented a program about starting new businesses to 23 individuals. Because of the program, at least three of the participants started new businesses, including a daycare facility that plans to employ 10 or 15 people, an agronomy services firm that employs two to three people during peak seasons, and a pet care facility that employs three people.
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2005 |
* Gaining Access to Checking Account Services
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Indiana financial institutions report that 15.5 percent of Hoosier adults can't get a checking account because they mismanaged finances in the past. Purdue Extension educators in Johnson and Marion Counties, along with other educational partners, work with these people to teach them proper checking account use. To date, more than 275 people successfully completed the course and opened checking accounts, potentially saving themselves $6,800 in check-cashing and money-order fees.
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2005 |
* Have a Healthy Baby: A program to decrease the incidence of low birthweight babies
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In the past year, 889 pregnant adolescents and at-risk adults in 31 Hoosier counties participated in the Have a Healthy Baby program. Of the 732 births reported, only four infants died, representing a decrease in infant mortality. The incidence of low birthweight for African-Americans in the program was more than 5 percent lower than the norm for that group. The lifetime medical costs for a premature baby are estimated at $500,000.
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2005 |
* Helping Latinos Spend Their Food Dollars Wisely
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Latinos in Marion County often speak no English and have mostly low-paying jobs. An Extension professional worked with 54 Latino families, representing 147 individuals, training them in Spanish on basic nutrition, food safety, meal planning, and low-cost shopping. With the information gained, these Latino families are saving nearly $30 per person per month on groceries.
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2005 |
* Helping young people make better choices
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In Clay and Owen Counties, statistics indicated that youth needed better decision-making skills related to responsible sexual behavior. Purdue Extension initiated programs that covered good decision making, abstinence, teen pregnancy, and healthy relationships. They also used peer mentoring and computerized infants that simulated real babies. Indiana State Department of Health data shows the Clay County teen pregnancy rate dropped from second highest in the state in the early 1990s to 28th in the most recent records. Owen County, involved for less time, also saw an impressive reduction.
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2005 |
* Horticulture Web site nips thorny issues in the bud
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Many thorny lawn and garden issues confront amateur and professional horticulturists. The Purdue Consumer Horticulture Web site serves up information for green thumbs of all types. More than 2.7 million page requests were logged in during the past year—a 72 percent increase from the previous year. Nearly 427,000 copies of Extension horticulture publications were downloaded online.
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2005 |
* Juvenile Diversion Program
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The juvenile crime rate is rising in Harrison County, which lies near the metropolitan area of Louisville. Purdue’s Community Systemwide Response (CSR) program developed a juvenile diversion program for first-time offenders, who attend with their parents or guardians. Since the program’s start in April 2000, 188 juveniles have participated. According to probation records, fewer than 10 percent returned to crime. Every child kept out of detention saves the county $700 per week.
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2005 |
* Magnetic Biosensors to Protect the Environment and Prevent Terrorism
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Purdue researchers are creating tiny sensors coated with magnetic bacteria to detect environmental pollution and chemical weapons connected with terrorist activities. Scientists and investigators will use this new biochip to quickly and accurately determine whether dangerous substances are present where contamination or terrorist activities are suspected.
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2005 |
* Making ends meet in Brown County
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When Brown County faced a funding crunch, the local Purdue Extension Educator helped start a community foundation to address urgent needs. In 10 years, the Brown County Community Foundation has awarded more than $5 million to community services and projects in Brown County such as a volunteer fire department, the county emergency medical technicians’ association and a county youth association.
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