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Juntos 4-H program is creating a brighter future for Latinx students
Fortunately, the high school dropout rate is declining. However, Latinx youth continue to have a higher dropout rate compared to other ethnic groups. Community assessments show that Latinx families need support to help their children academically succeed by focusing on college and career readiness. Northwest Farm Credit is proud to support the Juntos 4-H program in fulfilling this need.
Family engagement is fundamental
The program consists of four main components: 4-H clubs, one-on-one success coaching, summer programming and family engagement. As one of the most impactful components, family engagement is fundamental to the success of the students and the program. Family engagement workshops help build student-parent communication and confidence and make education a family goal.
Success in the schools
Currently, Juntos 4-H reaches youth and families at six sites located in central, southwest and northern Idaho. In Jerome County alone, the program serves 70 Latinx students, and a bilingual program coordinator and assistant program coordinator are located in Jerome High School. The Juntos 4-H clubs are offered as five elective classes for credit during the school day. This is the first program in the country to provide this in-school access to the Juntos program.
The program (and its success) grows
Several other schools across Idaho have observed Juntos 4-H’s success and are interested in implementing the program. Northwest Farm Credit’s support will help the program expand to an additional site in northern Idaho and support existing sites with youth and families on their waitlists.