University of Connecticut
EN-9: Community Partnerships

The University's extensive and diverse cooperative extension services provide guidance, programs, and events for tens of thousands of local residents, businesses, community planners, leaders, and youth. From the Cooperative Extension website, "We provide practical learning resources to address complex problems of families, communities, agriculture, business and industry. CES is part of a nationwide educational network through the University of Connecticut College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Teams of professionals and trained volunteers teach the state’s diverse population to make informed choices and decisions affecting their lives and environment." One such sustainability partnership program is UConn’s CAHNR- Extension Connecticut 4H program. SCOPE: The Connecticut 4-H youth program prepares youth to meet the needs of a global economy, while learning new skills, meeting new friends and discovering new things about themselves and the world through UConn Extension’s research-driven programs. 4-H programs offer youth fun, hands-on learning activities that foster skills and character development in science, citizenship and healthy living. The Three main themes championed by the 4-H youth program are the following: Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) 4-H utilizes the power of UConn research and innovation to prepare the next generation of scientists, engineers and technology experts. Connecticut 4-H improves communities by teaching youth the science and technology behind producing food, caring for the environment and eating healthy. 4-H generates big ideas and opens up opportunities through projects in everything from animal breeding, plant genetics, robotics and coastal marine habitats. Citizenship 4-H grows responsible citizens by emphasizing the importance of developing passionate, well-informed citizens who are involved in their communities and help to foster positive social change. In 4-H, youth learn about local, state and national government. From an early age, 4-H youth learn to make decisions, work with others, lead their peers and perform community service projects. Healthy Living Helping 4-Hers develop attitudes that promote positive long-term healthy behaviors is a critical goal of Connecticut 4-H. Healthy Living activities and projects give youth the tools needed to stay in shape, prepare healthy food and practice good personal hygiene. 4-H programs are designed to stimulate the practical side of a young person’s mind and the creative side. DURATION: UConn’s Extension 4-H youth program is an ongoing program. For a full list of events for the 2016 year, please visit the following link: http://www.4-h.uconn.edu/calendar.php COMMITMENT: UConn’s commitment to the CT 4-H program is both financial and staff support. Contact information for staff members across all extension centers can be found here: http://www.4-h.uconn.edu/contact.php GOVERNANCE: Program/ project development for the CT 4-H youth program takes place across the state through our extension center staff members (listed below) as well as our State Administration Office for the Cooperative Extension System, located at the UConn Storrs campus (listed below). Fairfield County UConn Extension Center 67 Stony Hill Road Bethel, CT 06801 203-207-8440 • Edith Valiquette, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development, edith.valiquette@uconn.edu Hartford County UConn Extension Center West Hartford Campus University of Connecticut 1800 Asylum Avenue West Hartford, CT 06117 860-570-9010 • Jennifer Cushman, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development, jennifer.cushman@uconn.edu • LaShawn Christie, Program Coordinator, Urban 4-H, lashawn.christie@uconn.edu Litchfield County Cooperative Extension Center 843 University Drive Torrington, CT 06790 860-626-6240 • Laura Marek, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development, laura.marek@uconn.edu Middlesex County Cooperative Extension Center 1066 Saybrook Road Haddam, CT 06438 860-345-4511 • Emily Alger, Program Coordinator, 4-H Youth Development, emily.alger@uconn.edu New Haven County Cooperative Extension Center 305 Skiff Street North Haven, CT 06473 203-407-3161 • Margaret Grillo, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development, margaret.grillo@uconn.edu New London County Cooperative Extension Center 562 New London Turnpike Norwich , CT 06360 860-887-1608 • Pamela Gray, Program Coordinator, 4-H Youth Development, pamela.gray@uconn.edu Tolland County Cooperative Extension Center 24 Hyde Avenue Vernon, CT 06066 860-875-3331 • Maryann Fusco-Rollins, Program Coordinator, 4-H Youth Development, maryann.fusco@uconn.edu Windham County Cooperative Extension Center 139 Wolf Den Road Brooklyn, CT 06234 860-774-9600 • Marc Cournoyer , Program Coordinator, 4-H Youth Development, marc.cournoyer@uconn.edu State Administration Office Cooperative Extension System College of Agriculture and Natural Resources The University of Connecticut 1376 Storrs Road Storrs, CT 06269-4134 • Dr. Michael P. O'Neill, Associate Dean & Asssociate Director, UConn Extension, mp.oneill@uconn.edu, 860-486-6270 • Bonnie E. Burr, Department Head, UConn Extension, bonnie.burr@uconn.edu, 860-486-8944 • Nancy Wilhelm, Program Coordinator, 4-H Youth Development, nancy.wilhelm@uconn.edu, 860-486-4127, 1-888-FOUR-H-CT (for CT only) • Marilyn Gould, Administrative Assistant, UConn Extension, marilyn.gould@uconn.edu, 860-486-3581

The Healthy Environments for Children (HEC) Initiative is an interdisciplinary initiative housed within the University of Connecticut’s Center for Applied Research, a joint venture of the Cooperative Extension System and the School of Family Studies. Through education and training, HEC strives to protect and improve the physical and psychological health of children. Healthy Environments for Children Initiative (HEC) is an example of one of UConn’s many collaborative sustainability partnerships. SCOPE: HEC primarily works to tackle the issue of environmental health hazards to children, especially in low-income areas, through educational outreach to parents and children alike. From the HEC website, “HEC helps parents and guardians, educators, community leaders, trainers, and other caring adults understand, prevent, and improve environmental conditions that adversely affect the health of children and adults. HEC also helps children understand how to prevent and manage environmental health problems. Working in partnership with local, state, federal, and tribal agencies and organizations, HEC has focused on environmental health issues such as lead poisoning, radon, asthma, and water conservation. HEC Services HEC designs and develops programs and materials in areas related to children's environmental health. HEC offers expertise in writing, editing, instructional design, and curriculum development. HEC specializes in translating sound research into practical information for a broad range of learners, including children, literacy-challenged adults, and busy professionals. HEC programs are developmentally appropriate, culturally respectful, and instructionally sound.” Program Materials for adults can be accessed here: http://www.hec.uconn.edu/adults.html Program Materials for children can be accessed here: http://www.hec.uconn.edu/programs.html HEC has also won a multitude of awards including the following: 2014 Communications Star Award for Print Media, National Healthy Homes Conference, for Susie and Jerome Learn about a Healthy Home book 2014 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 1, Environmental Merit Award to the New England Lead Coordinating Committee, administered by HEC 2014 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 1, Lifetime Achievement Award to Joan Bothell, HEC coordinator 2014 National Association of Environmental Professionals Award for Excellence in Education for Susie and Jerome Learn about a Healthy Home book and animated video 2011 University of Connecticut College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Excellence in Outreach Award 2009 Second place award for public service announcement in video contest sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Henry and Fred PSA 2008 University of Connecticut Provost's Award for Excellence in Public Engagement (Lead Program) 2007 Northeast Extension Director's Award of Excellence (Lead Program) 2005 Children's Environmental Health Recognition Award (in partnership with the Penobscot Indian Nation).Mother Bear book DURATION: HEC is an ongoing program that is over 10-years old. COMMITMENT: UConn’s commitment to the HEC program is both financial and staff support. Contact information for staff members can be found here: http://www.hec.uconn.edu/contact.html GOVERNANCE: Program/ project development for the HEC program takes place across the state through our extension center staff members (listed below) as well as our Healthy Environments for Children Initiative Center, located in Hartford (listed below). Joan Bothell Editor, writer, curriculum developer joan.bothell@uconn.edu 860-570-9068 Mary-Margaret Gaudio Extension educator mmgaudio@uconn.edu 860-570-9072 Healthy Environments for Children Initiative University of Connecticut Department of Extension Hartford County Extension Center 1800 Asylum Avenue West Hartford, CT 06117-2600 Phone: 860-570-9068 Fax: 860-570-9008 E-mail: hec@uconn.edu

The Connecticut Institute for Resilience & Climate Adaptation is an example of one of UConn’s various transformative sustainability partnerships. The CIRCA is a collaboration between the University of Connecticut and the State of Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP). SCOPE: Drawn from CIRCA’s website, the core mission and driving force for the institute is the following: “Mission The mission of the Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation (CIRCA) is to increase the resilience and sustainability of vulnerable communities along Connecticut’s coast and inland waterways to the growing impacts of climate change on the natural, built, and human environment. About CIRCA is a multi‐disciplinary, center of excellence that brings together experts in the natural sciences, engineering, economics, political science, finance, and law to provide practical solutions to problems arising as a result of a changing climate. The Institute will help coastal and inland floodplain communities in Connecticut and throughout the Northeast better adapt to changes in climate and also make their human‐built infrastructure more resilient while protecting valuable ecosystems and the services they offer to human society (food, clean air and water, and energy). The Institute will combine the world‐class research capabilities of UConn and the progressive policies and practical regulatory experience of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CTDEEP) to translate sound scientific research to actions that can ensure the resilience and sustainability of both the built and natural environments of the coast and watersheds of Connecticut. While Connecticut and the Northeast are particularly susceptible to the impacts of climate change and associated severe weather events, the problem exists at the national and international scales, with droughts and flooding worldwide. Severe storms in the United States cause 110 deaths per year in flood-related accidents and an average of $3.8 billion annually in property damage. In addition to floods, droughts, pollution of water resources and coastal areas, ocean currents and severe weather (ice/snow/hail storms, hurricanes, etc.) are the most costly and deadly of all natural disasters. Climate change affects the water cycle increasing the frequency of abnormal weather, including heavy rains and droughts, around the world with particularly severe impacts in developing countries. While its immediate attention will be in Connecticut and the Northeast, the Institute will develop comprehensive approaches to climate change research and its impacts at the national and international scales. In collaboration with local, regional, and national partners, the Institute’s multi‐disciplinary research, outreach, and education programs will strive to: • Improve scientific understanding of the changing climate system and its local and regional impacts on coastal and inland floodplain communities; • Develop and deploy natural science, engineering, legal, financial, and policy best practices for climate resilience; • Undertake or oversee pilot projects designed to improve resilience and sustainability of the natural and built environment along Connecticut’s coast and inland waterways; • Create a climate‐literate public that understands its vulnerabilities to a changing climate and which uses that knowledge to make scientifically informed, environmentally sound decisions; • Foster resilient and sustainable communities – particularly along the Connecticut coastline and inland waterways – that can adapt to the impacts and hazards of climate change; and • Reduce the loss of life and property, natural system and ecological damage, and social disruption from high‐impact events.” http://circa.uconn.edu/about/ DURATION: Established in January 2014, CIRCA is an ongoing, multi-year institute. COMMITMENT: UConn provides staff support through faculty leadership and faculty research. Contact information can be accessed here: http://circa.uconn.edu/contact/ GOVERNANCE: CIRCA Governance is comprised of UConn faculty and staff, CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection staff, as well as community stakeholders. The full list of Directors, the Executive Steering Committee, and the Advisory Committee is listed below and can be accessed at http://circa.uconn.edu/people/ James O'Donnell Executive Director james.odonnell@uconn.edu (860) 405-9171 Rebecca French Director of Community Engagement rebecca.french@uconn.edu (860) 405-9228 Emmanouil Anagnostou Director of Applied Research manos@engr.uconn.edu (860) 486-6806 Joseph MacDougald Director of Applied Research joseph.macdougald@uconn.edu (860) 570-5383 Jessica LeClair Program Manager jessica.leclair@uconn.edu (860) 405-9214 CIRCA Executive Steering Committee The Executive Steering Committee is composed of leadership from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Enivonmental Protection (CT DEEP) and the University of Connecticut (UConn). The Committee guides the selection and evaluation of projects and the effectiveness of outreach programs. Membership includes: • Rob Klee, Commissioner, CT DEEP, Co-Chair • Jeff Seemann, Vice President for Research, UConn, Co-Chair • James O’Donnell, Executive Director, CIRCA • Jessie Stratton, CT DEEP • Bob Kaliszewski, CT DEEP • Brian Thompson, CT DEEP • Emmanouil Anagnostou, UConn • Joseph MacDougald, UConn CIRCA Advisory Committee The Advisory Committee advises the Executive Director of CIRCA on matters pertaining to priorities and projects. The committee is populated by key stakeholders representing governmental agencies, academia, legislators, municipalities, non-profits, and key user groups. Members serve a two-year appointment. • Carl Amento, Executive Director, South Central Regional Council of Governments • John Bilda, General Manager, Norwich Public Utilities • Marty Connor, City Planner, City of Torrington • Lee Cruz, Community Outreach Director, The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven • Stewart Hudson, Vice President and Executive Director, Audubon Connecticut • Anthony Marone, Senior Vice President, Business & Customer Services, UIL Holdings • David McHale, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Eversource • Eric Nelson, Vice President, Enterprise Catastrophe Strategy & Analysis, Travelers Insurance • Meg Parulis, Town Planner, Town of Westbrook • Betsy Nicholson, Northeast Lead for the Coastal Services Center, NOAA • Leah Schmalz, Director of Legislative and Legal Affairs, Save the Sound • Eric Thornburg, President, Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Water Company • Thomas Wagner, Member of the Public • Adam Whelchel, Director of Science, The Nature Conservancy, Connecticut Chapter • Patricia Widlitz, Member of the Public