Community Development

• 4-H provides predictable programming and a safe and nurturing environment for military youth, whose families may move frequently and experience difficulties surrounding lengthy and frequent deployments.
• Through the 4-H Military Club grants program, 4-H, Army, Air Force and Navy have partnered to support 19,000 youth to participate in 4-H clubs on installations both in the U.S. and overseas.

The National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) is one of the three programs that form AmeriCorps, a network of national service programs that engage Americans in service to address critical community needs within the United States. AmeriCorps NCCC is a full-time, team-based residential program for men and women ages 18-25.

The National Forum on Youth Violence Prevention (the Forum) is an interagency effort for localities to share knowledge and experience in what works and what doesn't work in preventing youth and gang related violence.

Youth violence destroys quality of life and decreases the freedom, health, and prosperity of individuals, families, and communities. Unaddressed youth violence and crime negatively affect our communities' physical, mental, and economic health and challenges our ability to educate, grow, and prosper.

• 4-H provides opportunities for youth development and for youth to develop skills, practical knowledge, and wisdom through observing, doing, and living through experiences.
• The 4 H's are Head, Heart, Hands, and Health.
• 4-H emphasizes the practical application of knowledge or "learning by doing" to develop skills and acquire a sense of responsibility, initiative, and self-worth.

Representatives from Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Memphis, Salinas, and San Jose gathered in Washington, DC on October 31 and November 1, 2011 for the National Forum on Youth Violence Prevention Working Session.

At the end of the 20th century, an estimated 66.5 million children each year were affected by a natural disaster, and this number will most likely increase, owing to shifts within society and large climate changes."
— Penrose A, Takaki M (2006); Save the Children UK (2007); and Save the Children UK (2009) 1

Community involvement is something that can start small and make a big impact.  American Indian and Alaska Native youth 13-21 years old are encouraged to share what makes you HIV aware and how you protect yourself and others.  By sharing with one another, we can teach each other lessons about self-confidence, self-respect, pride, courage, and spirituality.

The Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics (Forum) has released its annual report, “America’s Children in Brief: Key National Indicators of Well-Being.” This year's report continues morethan a decade of dedication and collaboration by agencies across the federal government to advance our understanding of our Nation's children and what may be needed to bring them a better tomorrow.