Overview

OVERVIEW

I. INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE

This handbook is developed for University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources and its 4-H Youth Development Program staff. Its purpose is to set forth operating policies and procedures for the University of California 4-H Youth Development Program (4-H YDP). The 4-H YDP operates within the guidelines, policies, and procedures of the University of California (UC), and the Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR), which encompasses both the Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension.
As noted in this handbook, some policies and procedures of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA/CSREES) also apply. To administer the 4-H YDP, 4-H YDP staff should use this handbook, along with the Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources Administrative Handbook
These policies are established to insure the educational and administrative integrity of all UCCE 4-H YDP activities, and are administered and interpreted by 4-H YDP staffing consultation with the county director and ANR administration.

II. HANDBOOK DEFINITIONS

As used throughout this handbook, the following terms will be understood as follows:

“UC”	University of California.
“ANR”	Agriculture and Natural Resources, a statewide network of UC researchers and educators dedicated to the creation, development and application of knowledge in agricultural, natural and human resources.
“UCCE”	University of California Cooperative Extension.
“County”	The local-level UCCE office, which is administered (led) by the UCCE county director.
“County Director”	The administrator of the UCCE organization at the local level. Includes by inference any UCCE staff member to whom the UCCE county director has delegated responsibility and/or authority.
“UCCE 4-H YDP staff”	Campus based specialists, advisors, program representatives, and county-paid staff located in the County (local) office and responsible for conducting the local UCCE 4-H YDP. All references to the UCCE 4-H YDP staff will include by inference the county director, who has discretion to retain any of the responsibilities of the UCCE 4-H YDP staff, based on the county director’s best judgment.
“Statewide 4-H YDP Director”	The Statewide 4-H YDP Director is the administrator and programmatic resource for the UCCE 4-H YDP throughout California.
“4-H Adult Volunteer”	A qualified individual who has been appointed as a 4-H volunteer by the county director to assist UCCE in the execution of the 4-H YD program.
“4-H Member”	The term used to describe a 4-H youth between the ages of 5 and 19 years of age.
“4-H Unit”	The term used throughout this handbook to denote any of the 4-H delivery methods (clubs, afterschool groups, special interest groups).
“4-H Council”	The term used throughout this handbook to denote the Volunteer Management organization at the county, regional or state level.

III. APPLICATION

The policies and procedures in all sections of this handbook apply to program activities under the direct purview of the Vice President—Agriculture and Natural Resources, who directs the Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension. These policies cover campus and regional operations, county programs, and statewide activities and events.
This handbook applies to all administrators, specialists, advisors, program representatives, other program support staff, advisory groups, volunteers, and youth associated with the 4-H YDP.
The policies given in this handbook are controlling on all 4-H YDP operations and delivery methods.
The corporation known as the Board of Regents constitutes the highest administrative authority of the University of California. The Regents have virtually exclusive rule-making or policy-making power in regard to the University and are fully empowered with respect to the organization and government of the University. The University policies and procedures within this handbook are the controlling statutes regarding the University’s jurisdiction over all aspects of the 4-H YD Program.

IV. CONTENTS

The contents of this handbook will be used to set forth policies and procedures that are specific to the program as a whole or where University policy requires that implementing procedures be issued by the Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources through these 4-H YDP policies and procedures.
Information in this handbook is applicable to all aspects of the 4-H YDP until superseded by revisions approved and distributed by the 4-H YDP statewide director.

V. POLICY INTERPRETATION PROCEDURE

The 4-H YDP is a non-formal education program planned and conducted at the county level in compliance with the policies, guidelines, and standards for 4-H YDP activities and events that are outlined in this handbook.
The policies in this handbook are designed to ensure that ethical decision making based on the agreed upon UC ethical values of integrity, excellence, accountability and respect are utilized when enforcing the policies, procedures and guidelines in the California 4-H Youth Development Program.
4-H councils and units at the county level may establish local policies, but those policies must not contradict or be less restrictive than the policies guidelines and standards established in this handbook and must be approved by county 4-H YDP staff.
County 4-H YDP must consult with the county director before approving more restrictive policies. Policy changes must be publicized widely throughout the county.

VI. POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND REVIEW PROCESS

When a 4-H YDP policy issue is presented to the State 4-H YDP office, it is referred to the Policy Advisory Committee co-chaired by the State 4-H YDP Office and ANR Controllers Office. The committee includes county directors, 4-H YDP advisors, county 4-H YDP staff and adult volunteers. See 4-H Policy Development and Revision Process for detailed process.
This handbook is issued to county directors, 4-H YDP specialists, youth development advisors, and program representatives, as well as other staff who need frequent access to this information.
This handbook and any subsequent revisions to it are established by UCCE 4-H YDP staff and ANR administrators after careful review and analysis by UCCE 4-H YDP Policy Committee, stakeholders, including staff, volunteers, and clientele. The Statewide 4-H YDP Director renders final decisions on policy and procedure modifications in consultation with ANR administration.
Handbook sections will be reviewed and revised on a regular basis with approved revisions posted on the California 4-H Youth Development Program website. For the most current policy statement, refer to the handbook posted on the Website.
New and revised policies will be distributed via:

Memo on letterhead – emailed to 4-H listserve.
PDF file of new policy handbook section page.
FAQ and other support materials included when appropriate.