- ARTSBUILD helps southwest Wisconsin artists lay the foundation for entrepreneurial success
Beyond creativity and originality, artists need entrepreneurial know-how to earn a living in their field. A UW-Platteville professional development program designed especially for use in southwest Wisconsin helps participants jumpstart their sales, sharpen their marketing skills, and meet supportive associates and benefactors. Since its 2004 launch, ARTSBUILD’s network has steadily increased to 350 artist members who consistently praise its worth. Growing partnerships between ARTSBUILD and state and local organizations have furthered the visibility of area arts, thus contributing to the health of local economies. Originally funded by a UW-Extension grant, the program has moved progressively towards self-sustainability.
- 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.
- New techniques in behavior management lead to more productive classrooms
Dealing with disruptive behaviors in the classroom is a challenge for even experienced teachers. University of Wisconsin-Platteville's Office of Continuing Education offers a series of courses throughout southern Wisconsin that focuses on techniques, tools and plans for elementary and secondary teachers to use immediately with disruptive students. Teachers say the new skills help them in dealing with challenging behaviors and depressed students, understanding and dealing with family dynamics, communicating with physicians and family members, and handling student medications. Teachers using their new skills have helped challenging students become more accountable for their actions. These new techniques lead to more productive classrooms, helping both special-needs and non-disruptive students learn in a safe environment.
- Professional training gives teachers tools to help special needs students further their social development
Meeting the learning goals of an entire class is a challenge for even experienced teachers, especially as the numbers of mainstreamed special needs students continue to rise. University of Wisconsin-Platteville's Office of Continuing Education courses address these concerns for K-12 teachers who work with autistic and/or behaviorally challenged children. Teachers say the new skills help them in empathizing with and developing expectations for their special needs students, averting disruptive behaviors, teaching students individual responsibility and better decision-making, and involving family members in positive ways. The techniques, tools, and strategies they adopt lead to more productive classrooms, allowing all students to learn in a safe environment.
- 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.
