• Nov. 15: Catch-a-Calf applications due to Celina Johnson
• Nov. 25-26: University holidays, offices closed
• Nov. 26-30: National 4-H Congress, Atlanta, GA
• Dec. 6: Youth Fund Board meeting, Campus
• Dec. 15: IFYE Ambassador applications due, State 4-H office
• Dec. 22-24: University holidays, offices closed
• Dec. 31: University holiday, offices closed

• 4-H Manual Cross Reference List (Excel)

Project and Literature Codes

The revised project and literature codes for Blue Ribbon are now posted at http://www.ext.colostate.edu/ye/. The directions for downloading are on the web page. We had several county staff test these for us, but if you find mistakes, please share them others using the Blue Ribbon listserv so we can all make the necessary corrections. Any questions, please call me at 970.491.7879. Thanks! - Joy Bauder and Gail McKee

CAC Applications Due

Catch-A-Calf applications are due to my office (108 Animal Science, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1171) by Nov. 15. Late entries will be accepted, but priority for the selection process will be given to those individuals who meet the November deadline. The application is available for downloading at http://livestock.colostate.edu/youth. - Celina Johnson

4-H Manual Cross-Reference List

We have had requests for a list of 4-H manuals that is cross-referenced by the numbers our system uses and the number that is actually on the book. Attached is an Excel file that provides that information for you as you update your files for the new enrollment year. Please call if you have questions! - Gail McKee

Community Mapping Program Seeks Applicants

The 2005 ESRI GIS Grant Program for 4-H clubs is seeking applicants. The program, open to 4-H clubs, was announced last week at the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents meeting by Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI). The goal of the program is to foster and support the integration of geo-spatial applications in 4-H clubs. Seventy-five (75) grants for software, introductory training, and other materials will be awarded to 4-H clubs completing successful applications by the March 31, 2005 deadline. For more information contact: Tom Tate, Economic and Community Systems, ttate@csrees.usda.gov or call 202.720.2727. - Ellen Butler

DARE to be You Update

The DARE to be You program recently completed their second year of research and is starting the third year on two different projects testing the DARE to be You model. Both of these projects yielded positive results for the program.

One project is being carried out in Denver, Montezuma and, to be added this year, La Plata Counties that works with families and their middle school youth. The family DARE to be You workshops are being adapted to include a component on sexual decision-making and abstinence. Goals for this include increasing parents' ability to effectively communicate with their youth around their sexual decision-making, delaying sexual activity and reducing teen pregnancy. This project is called CARE to Wait and is funded by the Office of Pregnancy Prevention, Health and Human Services.

A second project is being carried out in Montezuma County and the Northern Navajo Nation which brings families of kindergarten through second grade students, the youth, and their teachers together. The DARE to be You model is adapted to form a bridge, improving relationships between schools and families, enhancing family and classroom management skills and increasing students' ability to succeed in school. This is called the DARE to be You Bridges project and is funded by the Centers for Disease Control.

We are happy to report a sample of our positive results from the Bridges project:

• Both family and teacher participation and the statistical analysis shows that families and teachers believe the program is important and are statistically changed in positive ways by the program.

To date, 142 baseline and 81 six-month parent post-tests have been entered into the evaluation database. Statistically significant intervention effects can be observed on eight of the outcome measures.

• Children's social skills increased
• Children's aggression decreased
• Parent's limit-setting increased
• Parent's harsh punishment decreased
• Child-centered, child-rearing practices increased
• Parental self-efficacy increased
• Parental view of family/school/community communication increased
• Parent's belief that parents should be involved in school increased

Teacher surveys that have been analyzed to date are from 34 baseline and 33 six-month follow-ups. Teachers showed significant improvements in three areas: they were more likely to endorse parental involvement, they believed both parents and teachers should encourage children's success, and they were more satisfied with being a teacher. Also, the DARE to be You family program is currently being implemented in Fremont and Otero counties through the CYFAR grants.

For more information on the DARE to be You program please contact me at 970.565.3606. - Jan Miller-Heyl, Director, DARE to be You

Eagle County Youth Wins 2004 Dottie Lamm Award

In honor of Dottie Lamm, The Women's Foundation of Colorado awards two scholarships every year to promising young women who participate at trustee meetings, learn about their issues, and go on to make a difference. Armed with the knowledge of what it takes to mobilize people around a concept like women's economic self-sufficiency, these recipients have a chance to influence the generation around them.

Lakotah Doig of Eagle County is described by her high school counselor as an amazing young woman. As a youth advisory trustee, Lakotah wants the chance to "pay it forward" to other girls and women. Lakotah maintains a 4.0 GPA and demonstrates a commitment to her school and community through her participation as president of her 4-H club, a teammate on the school volleyball and soccer teams, and as a member of Devils Against Drinking and Drugs.

Congratulations to Lakotah on being presented this prestigious award. - Ellen Butler