Local CYFAR Program Spotlight

Programs of Distinction

The Programs of Distinction database offers a window into the best programs associated with Extension. A look through those currently listed includes about three dozen youth and family programs dealing with everything from healthy eating to a model legislature. Many of them are 4-H programs, some are CYFAR programs, but all are Extension-affiliated, and all have gone through an extensive application and peer review process and judged outstanding.

It’s a credential that has benefits both for the accepted programs and for those who want to learn about them, according to Suzanne Le Menestrel, National Program Leader for Youth Development Research at National 4-H Headquarters. “It’s a national professional recognition and an opportunity for scholarship,” she said. It can help academic staff meet some requirements for promotion and tenure.


Suzanne Le Menestrel

POD acceptance can also lead to national awards and grant opportunities, either directly or indirectly. For example, rural programs accepted into the POD are eligible to apply for the Family Strengthening Awards sponsored by the Annie E. Casey Foundation and managed by the National 4-H council, worth $15,000. POD programs that work with citizenship become eligible for the Metropolitan Life Citizenship Award. Those that deal with natural resources are eligible to compete for the Fish and Wildlife Service 4-H Natural Resources Conservation Award. Le Menestrel said program leaders have told her that POD acceptance has helped them to leverage further funding from community foundations

It’s also a way of giving back to one’s own system – the other beneficiaries of the POD database are fellow program staff looking for ideas for improving or starting their own programs. Program summaries on the database include information about the program setting and target audience needs that can be helpful to others with similar situations.

The database’s influence extends beyond Extension, Le Menestrel said. She has cited POD and programs from it to peers from other organizations in Washington, such as the National Collaboration for Youth. When the USDA Partners video magazine asked for programs to feature, she drew from the POD database for nominees.

According to POD guidelines, these programs:

The application and peer review process is rigorous and can be timing consuming, Le Menestrel said. “The chances of being accepted eventually are pretty good but it can take time,” she said. “It is important to address peer reviewers’ comments in your revisions.”

Application involves submitting a manuscript to answer a series of questions. It is essential that the program is built upon a strong knowledge and research base and needs assessment, which must match the goals of the program. There must be evidence of effectiveness and demonstration of partnerships and community planning. “The most challenging sections for submitters tend to be the evaluation and research base,” Le Menestrel said. The research base must have been taken into account from the beginning.

Once a manuscript is submitted, a peer review committee examines it and comes with one of four responses: publish as a designed Program of Distinction; publish with minor revisions; revise submission and resubmit (indicating that more major revisions are needed); or reject – holds no promise.

Most first-time submitters are asked to resubmit with either minor or major revisions. “In four years, I’ve only seen three outright rejections,” Le Menestrel said. Accepted manuscripts remain in the database for three years. In order to keep materials current, manuscripts expire after this time, although program leaders are welcome to revise and resubmit within six weeks, whether or not the program is still running. The resubmitted manuscript is sent to one peer reviewer for an expedited review.

You may wish to consult:

Programs of Distinction Database Search

National 4-H Headquarters Programs of Distinction information page


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