Porter County 4-H News

(the latest news is available for download as a printable pdf at the bottom of this page)

November 20^th, 2020

Weekly 4-H Update

Dear 4-H Families:

Porter County COVID Red Alert Status - 4-H Gatherings Strongly Discouraged

Porter County Health Department (PCHD) has declared a countywide red alert classification due to a high-level spread rate. Learn more at http://porterco.org/1697/Current-COVID-Alert-Level---RED. Key points related to potential 4-H gatherings:

• PCHD is strongly discouraging gatherings with anyone not in your household.
  • Therefore, in-person 4-H gatherings are strongly discouraged.
• PCHD is not permitting any gathering of more than 25 people.
  • Therefore, in-person 4-H gatherings of more than 25 people are not permitted.
• Any events planned in Porter County must contact PCHD to discuss safety protocols.
  • Therefore, for any in-person 4-H gatherings of less than 25 people, the adult in charge must contact the county health department to discuss safety protocols.
• Purdue Extension COVID-19 Safety Plan requirements remain in place and must be submitted and approved no less than three weeks prior to a gathering.
• If groups do conduct an in-person 4-H gathering, having a virtual option for those who opt not to attend a public gathering is strongly encouraged.
• And, of course, all individuals in the State of Indiana are to adhere to the Governor’s Executive Orders at all times (http://porterco.org/1701/General-Requirements-For-Individuals), which include, but are not limited to: self-quarantining when warranted, maintaining six feet of social distancing, and wearing a face covering over the nose and mouth when six feet of social distancing cannot be maintained.

WANTED: Youth and Adult Volunteers to Provide Online Experiences

What’s your hobby? What’s your interest? Would you like to share your knowledge? Youth and adults are invited to volunteer to share their knowledge online via a virtual “4-H @ Home” experience… whether you’re willing and able to do a single online session, or if you’d like to make it a “Spark Club” that meets virtually a few times, we would love to have you. We have all had to embrace online experiences this year, and though we all look forward to seeing our 4-H friends in person, we have a tremendous opportunity to try some new things in 4-H and to make sure our youth are engaged with caring volunteers even when we can’t be together! Contact joangrott@purdue.edu and let’s set something up!

Teen Mental Health and COVID-19

“I know especially as schools are quarantining again mental health is a big issue with not becoming overstressed, depressed, etc. I remember at the beginning of the year a lot of people just gave up.” This statement from a Junior Leader prompted our special program recently at our November Junior Leader meeting. Mental health counselor and Porter County 4-H Alum (Center Wildcats) Ms. Kelsey Brewer, MA, LMHC-A, NCC joined us for our November 16, 2020 meeting and provided a presentation on mental health and wellness during stressful times. The presentation is now available on our YouTube channel at https://bit.ly/PC4HYouTube.

We’re Hiring! – The Job Posting Closes on 11/23/2020 – Act Fast!

Our office is currently seeking candidates for the role of Office Manager/Program Operations Manager. Duties include performing bookkeeping duties and general office management for Purdue Extension-Porter County and assisting in all operations of the 4-H Youth Development program. The position description and application information is at http://porterco.org/Jobs.aspx. Questions? Contact County Extension Director Annetta Jones at ajones1@purdue.edu.

4-H Members – Enroll Now Through January 15^th

Have you enrolled yet? What are you waiting for? For more information and to enroll, go to http://bit.ly/2021PorterCo4H. (Online payment of the annual member program fee via credit card is preferred.)

4-H Adult Volunteers – Don’t Let Your Volunteer Status Lapse – Enroll Now!

Volunteers who have not completed their annual enrollment and training by January 15^th will be required to re-complete all initial screening paperwork, which includes references. (Get enrollment information and a link to the new version of 4HOnline at http://bit.ly/2021PorterCo4H.)

ENROLLMENT NOTES FOR VOLUNTEERS:

• If you did not have your birthday listed in the previous version of 4HOnline, you may experience an inability to enroll in the new system. If this occurs, please email your name and birthdate to me at joangrott@purdue.edu.
• If you thought you completed the entire online process and your account shows a status of “In Progress”, check to make sure you completed the entire training, including quiz questions. If your status is still “In Progress” once completing the entire training, an extra “click” is potentially required. Click on the training again to make it complete. If you have any questions, please contact 4-H Program Assistant Justin Higer at jhiger@purdue.edu.

Sincerely,

Joan M. Grott

Extension Educator

4-H Youth Development

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