Responding in a time of crisis: Assessing extension efforts during COVID-19

Lendel Narine,Cristian Meier

doi:10.37433/aad.v1i2.35

Abstract

Extension was forced to rapidly adjust its efforts and program delivery methods to respond to clientele needs during the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020. The pandemic presents a range of unique challenges to Extension including revisions to resource allocations and shifts in programmatic focus. Guided by a needs assessment framework, this paper assesses the rapid response of Utah State University (USU) Extension to meet residents needs during COVID-19. This correlational study gathered data from 199 Extension professionals (n = 199) at USU Extension. Findings show Extension professionals had good capacity to implement outreach activities related to online education, engaging residents, and external partnerships. Further, Extension took rapid actions in several areas in response to COVID-19, including providing online learning activities for youth, and conducting online classes in place of traditional face-to-face classes. Findings show professionals’ outreach capacity was positively related to the total number of actions taken in response to COVID-19. Extension professionals addressed COVID-19 topics such as telehealth, temporary homeschooling kids, and stress management. This study demonstrates the adaptability of Extension to an unpredictable event and provides a framework to assess response. Findings are geared towards effective resource allocation to support Extension’s role in meeting residents’ needs during COVID-19.

Highlights

Introduction and Problem StatementCooperative Extension is an important resource for communities to access evidence-based information and programming (Dunifon et al, 2004)
This paper assesses the rapid response of Utah State University (USU) Extension to meet residents needs during COVID-19
Based on Witkin and Altschuld’s description of levels of needs, we focus on Level 2 needs by assessing the capacity of Extension professionals to serve clientele during COVID-19 pandemic of 2020

Summary

Introduction

Cooperative Extension is an important resource for communities to access evidence-based information and programming (Dunifon et al, 2004). Extension typically focuses on three main programmatic areas: (a) Family and Consumer Sciences, (b) 4-H and Youth Development, and (c) Agriculture and Natural Resources. Some states have expanded their programming focus to address emerging issues such as personal health and wellbeing (Walsh et al, 2018). Countylevel programs facilitated by Extension professionals are often a trusted source of information for community members (Settle et al, 2017). As the landscape of both rural and urban communities evolve, Extension has sought to remain relevant and meet the needs of communities through periodical needs assessments and timely programmatic adaption. In February of 2020, the needs of communities rapidly changed due to the emergence of a global pandemic

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