USU Extension highlights youth, nutrition and prevention work in Grand County

Maria Velasco, home and community faculty with Utah State University Extension, briefed the Grand County Commission on Feb. 3 about 4‑H and related youth-development programming in Grand County. "We have served around 200 or more than 200 youth per year," Velasco said, and described Grand County as leading a program that has moved from pilot to permanent statewide status.

Velasco told commissioners that local programming emphasizes access for rural and low-income families, language assistance and on-site sign-ups for families who lack computer access. She outlined career-exploration trips that take local students to college campuses and dorms statewide, and said local youth will travel to Washington, D.C., in March to present at the national Ignite conference.

The presentation also covered nutrition and wellness efforts, including the Create Better Health curriculum and SNAP‑Ed adaptations, and a Southeast Department of Health-funded vaping-prevention initiative that covers three counties and uses parent education, teacher training and social-media outreach. Velasco said two community liaisons have been hired to expand outreach to families who face language or transportation barriers.

Commissioners thanked Velasco and asked about local staffing and opportunities for youth to present to the commission; Velasco offered to circulate materials and make youth presentations available live or by recording. The update concluded with an invitation to commissioners to suggest unmet community needs that Extension might address.