Past Projects

Youth in Public Policy-Making (2002)
This three county research project assessed the level of young peoples involvement in governance, identified possible gaps and teased out best practices that local organizations are using to more effectively involve young people.
Shelley Murdock

Countywide Youth Assessment (2002 - 2005)
This project was conducted in partnership with Contra Costa Countywide Youth Commissioners that assessed Contra Costa youth for issues important to them.
Shelley Murdock

Rural Youth in Governance Development (2004-2005)
This project was an evaluation of a pilot program in which teens from Arizona and California learned process skills and then conducted forums in their communities.
Shelley Murdock

Youth in Governance and Youth Adult Partnerships: An Examination of Promising Practices (2004 - 2009)
This study examined California 4-HYD programs and sought to identify the prevalence of youth in governance and youth adult partnership practices as well as staff attitudes towards youth in governance and youth adult partnership strategies. The study used mixed methods (surveys and focus group interview with youth and adults) of exemplary programs to identify promising practices. Findings and recommendations are published in a report available here. Shelley Murdock, Fe Moncloa, Aarti Subramaniam, Stacy Olagundoye, Carole Patterson, Sandy Sathrum, Pat English

The California 4-H Camp Study (2005-2008): This study evaluated California 4-H camps on four tenets of youth development: relationships, safety, youth involvement, and skill building. It also assessed efforts to enhance the youth development experience in camp settings as some camps implemented improvement plans and were re-assessed in year two of the evaluation. The study included camper and staff surveys, focus group interviews, and site observations. Learning informed the development of Counselor-in-Training: Encouraging Youth Development Outcomes at Camp (2010), a training guide for developing teen camp staff. http://groups.ucanr.org/_4Hbaseca/files/49276.pdf Marianne Bird

EYSC 4 (2006)
Participated in evaluation of this national program for which a team from California co-developed and delivered a pilot program)
Shelley Murdock

Point of Purchase Technology (2008)
Point of Purchase Technology at the Grocery Checkout Stand Improves Low Income Consumers Food Purchases, International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity Conference presentation.
Marcel Horowitz

The California CFAR Project (Promoting Innovative Youth Development Programs for High Risk Audiences)
Using Photovoice Techniques to Evaluate a Nutrition Education Program. International Society of Behavioral Nutrition.
A. Michael Marzolla

Physical Activity Conference (2009)
Using Photovoice Techniques to Evaluate a Nutrition Education Program. International Society of Behavioral Nutrition.
Marcel Horowitz

California 4-H CYFAR Project in Sonoma County
5 year study of the 4-H Windsor Bloco After school Program.
Evelyn Conklin-Ginop