Surviving to Thriving: Ripple Effects Mapping Uncovers County Extension Impact through Tough Times
ISSN 2158-9429
Volume 17, Issue 2 - December 2024
Editor: Linda Chalker-Scott
Abstract
Many Extension programs experienced reduced participation during and after COVID-19 restrictions. In contrast, Wahkiakum County, Washington experienced sustained youth and volunteer involvement through the pandemic and grew as restrictions lifted. Ripple Effects Mapping (REM) sessions were conducted in early 2019 prior to COVID-19 restrictions and again in 2022 after they were lifted. Findings from REM shed new light on how Extension staff, youth and volunteers impacted Community Capitals before, during and after COVID-19 and the community as a whole. Results were compared to recession-era data, and they showed how Social, Cultural and Human Capitals maintained positive Extension impacts through time, and how these rippled to long term community impacts across other Community Capitals. The purpose of this research is to understand the long-term impact of Extension programs through challenges like budget cuts and COVID-19 and demonstrate this impact and show return on investment to stakeholders, like county commissioners and university administration.
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