- Advocates find their voices at the Wisconsin Child and Family Institute
The annual Wisconsin Child and Family Advocacy Institute helps grass-roots community representatives improve the quality of life for Wisconsin children and families. Participants say the institute helps them apply current university research, access the state''s public policy planning process, and network effectively with local, state and federal policymakers to influence legislation and regulations affecting Wisconsin''''s children and families. Several participants have been elected to public office or taken positions with organizations that advocate for children.
- Annual training keeps pharmacists up to date on latest advances in caring for patients
Annual conferences by Extension Services in Pharmacy bring together clinical pharmacists from throughout the Midwest to discuss state-of-the-art drug treatments with academic and clinical experts. A 2004 program addressed respiratory pharmacotherapy in order to help the 32 million - and growing - Americans with asthma and other similar chronic respiratory diseases. Pharmacists say the programs build their knowledge and skills and benefit the patients and patients' families they serve.
- Extension Response to June 2008 Floods
In June 2008, record rains on saturated soils caused widespread flooding, costing hundreds of millions of dollars in damages. Thirty southern Wisconsin counties were declared disaster areas. Backed by campus specialists, county extension faculty helped their neighbors assess damage and document losses even as floodwaters were rising. They contributed to positive impacts for farmers, families, homeowners, businesses, agencies and communities, from reduced losses, risks, stress and anxiety, to improved local and state agency performance.
- Managed grazing improves pasture yields and small farm profitability
Wisconsin’s small dairy and livestock farms make a big contribution to the state’s economy, yet remain vulnerable to market forces. With UW-Extension education through local partners and grazing networks, dairy and livestock producers are securing federally cost-shared pasture improvements, selecting economical forage varieties, adding fencing, controlling aggressive weeds, practicing land stewardship on hillsides, exploring niche markets and writing business plans.
- Nursing home administrators' course enhances quality of management and practice in long-term care facilities
Nursing home administrators in Wisconsin are required to pass an exam to be licensed in their profession. A University of Wisconsin-Madison Continuing Studies course not only prepares students to pass this exam, but also increases their knowledge of management, issues, overall practice, other-care facility departments, and the development of long-range goals, plans or policies in the profession of long-term care. Some students said the course helped expand their perspectives; others received promotions because of their new knowledge and skills.
- Odyssey Project humanities courses inspire underprivileged adults to embrace lifelong learning
Exposure to the humanities can help low-income adults develop skills that help them end a cycle of poverty and encourage future learning. In 2003, UW-Madison introduced the Odyssey Project, an educational program that would offer underprivileged residents the opportunity to receive free college credit for taking humanities courses. By Spring 2006, three classes of Odyssey students had graduated from the program–79 of the 88 students enrolled, or nearly 90% of them. Many Odyssey graduates continue to pursue education at UW-Madison and at other institutions. UW-Madison''s Division of Continuing Studies is one of many university and community partners who have collaborated to make the program possible.
- Project management skills save Wisconsin businesses time and money
Many organizations are finding their project managers have not had formal training in how to manage projects. As a result, there are often miss-steps and time lost as these managers learn "on the job." An in-depth Master's certificate program helps managers learn to plan, schedule and control projects. This training has helped managers work on larger, high-priority projects, improve procedures and policies, and lead in managing new projects in their organizations. Many are promoted as a result of their new skills.
- Public Works Supervisory Academy prepares municipal employees to manage public dollars
Municipal supervisors and managers who are unprepared for their roles cost taxpayers money. The Public Works Supervisory Academy (PWSA) offered by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Continuing Studies prepares supervisors in 10 skill areas to address this public need. This training has helped more than 2,000 participants deal more effectively with problem employees, communicate with citizens and employees in a more professional manner, and more effectively assist their departments in purchasing and budgeting - thus saving money.
- RNs earn their baccalaureate degree @ home
Ten years after launching its first online class, the BSN@HOME program has awarded baccalaureate degrees to 445 registered nurses. Participants choose the program—offered specifically for Wisconsin nurses through the combined resources of five University of Wisconsin nursing schools—because they like the flexibility it affords them. Learning online allows them to get their degrees without disrupting their work or family lives. Furthermore, graduates of BSN@HOME say the program prepares them to advance in their careers. Many alumnae have either completed, begun or plan to enroll in a graduate nursing program.
- School of the Arts boosts arts programming and tourism in Rhinelander
Rhinelander''s School of the Arts has brought art to the people—and people to the arts—for more than 40 years. An annual grassroots learning program administered by UW-Madison Extension, School of the Arts receives the consistent and overwhelming support of Rhinelander residents and businesspeople, who recognize the economic, educational, and cultural benefits the week-long event brings their community. In July 2007, more than 300 participants came from every corner of Wisconsin—as well as from nine Midwestern states—to study visual arts, music, photography, drama, writing, movement, and computer arts from regional experts.
- Small Business Development Center state network counseling services retain and develop Wisconsin’s businesses
The UW-Extension Small Business Development Center (SBDC) network provides one-to-one business counseling to help entrepreneurs and established businesses become more profitable, retain jobs and better compete in today's global market. Businesses receiving SBDC counseling increased sales by $113 million incrementally, created 1452 new jobs and retained 601. These businesses generated $ 4.6 million in state tax revenues, and obtained $1.7 million in financing, according to a recent survey.
- Substance abuse certificate helps human-service professionals work more effectively with patients and in the workplace
A training program in substance abuse provides social workers, psychologists, nurses, teachers, clergy, prison staff and other human-service providers with the knowledge and skills necessary to identify and work more effectively with substance abusers and their families. Several persons made changes in workplace policy as a result of the training. Others gained confidence and learned to appreciate cultural-sensitivity concerns.
- Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey and Basin Education Program: Building local capacity for long-term emergency preparedness
Why were Spring Green area homes and businesses still submerged months after floodwaters receded from most of southern Wisconsin? A Cooperative Extension water basin educator and geological survey scientists teamed up to merge the results of a 20-year geology study with a new groundwater flow model to educate residents about why the area flooded, and why the flooding persisted. Understanding that a high water table and low topography compounded effects of record rainfall, residents and officials could then move forward.
