June
2, 2006
Topics in today's issue of Extension Update:
VOLUNTEER SCREENING PROCESS NO LONGER
USING SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS
For over 15 years, WSU Extension has worked to ensure a
safe environment for children and vulnerable adults. That safety
process includes an application, letters of recommendation, personal
interview, and a criminal history background check. The background
check has included the collection of an individual’s Social
Security Number (SSN). However, due to identity theft concerns the
Washington State Patrol (WSP) will no longer be using the Social
Security Number in their background check process. In fact, they
will be removing the SSN blank from their form. Therefore, the SSN
blank will be deleted from our Extension volunteer screening application
form. Counties are encouraged to call the Washington State Patrol
360-705-5100 with specific questions.
A fingerprint will be needed when a name or birth date come back
with one or more possible identities. Counties will need a cloth
ink pad (sponge ink pads take up too much ink) to collect a fingerprint
on the WSP forms from the individual. Submitting this form via the
US Postal Service to the WSP is sufficient in most cases when there
are problems with either the name or birth date. The important thing
is that WSP can see the circle and swirls of the fingerprint for
accurate identity.
EDEN LAUNCHES NEW AVIAN INFLUENZA
ISSUE WEB PAGE
Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) has launched
a new Avian Influenza (AI) Issue Web page at http://www.eden.lsu.edu/default.aspx
then click on Avian Influenza under Issues. The page provides useful
information when talking to various audiences about avian influenza.
Areas within the page cover:
- Introduction to Avian Influenza
- Avian Influenza, Bird flu, and Pandemic flu
- Advice to Flock Owners and the Public
- Avian Influenza Resources
INTERIM CO-CHAIRS OF DEPARTMENT
OF FOOD SCIENCE AND HUMAN NUTRITION
Dr. Barry Swanson and Dr. Boon Chew have agreed to serve
as interim co-chairs of the Department of Food Science and Human
Nutrition. They will officially assume these roles on July 1, 2006
and continue these roles until permanent leadership is appointed.
Between now and July 1, Dr. Chew and Dr. Swanson will work with
the current departmental leadership and staff to assure a smooth
leadership transition. In addition, Dr. Jill Armstrong Shultz will
provide the leadership in negotiating the potential relocation of
nutrition/dietetics programs to the Division of Health Sciences.
GRANTSMANSHIP WORKSHOPS
There are two upcoming grantsmanship workshops. The first
of these will be held Sept. 6-7 in Washington DC as detailed below.
The second workshop will be held in Dallas Oct. 17-18 with details
to follow. The format for the workshops is a one day session on
CSREES Programs followed by a second day entitled Writing Winning
Grants.
Washington DC Workshop:
Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES),
NERA and the Southern Association of Ag Experiment Station Directors
(SAAESD) are collaborating in the presentation of a 2 day Grantsmanship
and Grants Writing Workshops in Washington DC, September 6-7, 2006.
The first day will be CSREES Overview of NRI programs and the second
day will be the Grant Writing Workshop.
Below are links to the CSREES and NERA/SAAESD web sites where you
will find an overview, agenda, registration information, and travel
grant application (limited to those representing minority-serving
institutions). Space will be limited, so early registration is encouraged.
The registration is $135 for the USDA Workshop (Day 1) and $155
for the second day's workshop on Writing Winning Grants. Total for
the two day program is $290. Late registration after August 25th
is $195/day.
Travel Grants of up to $500 are being made available to faculty
from minority serving institutions. Application for travel grants
can be found on the web site below, and must be submitted by no
later than August 1.
CSREES Workshop: http://www.conted.vt.edu/usdagrant/
Writing Winning Grants: http://www.conted.vt.edu/wingrants/index.html
Agenda: http://www.conted.vt.edu/usdagrant/agenda.html#2
Travel Grant Application: http://www.conted.vt.edu/wingrants/travelgrantapp.pdf
CSREES TRANSITIONING TO ELECTRONIC
GRANT APPLICATIONS
All Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension
Service (CSREES) programs for FY07 (Oct. 1, 2006, to Sept. 30, 2007)
will accept electronic applications via http://www.grants.gov/.
Some CSREES programs (including NRI and SBIR) will require electronic
submission, while other programs may yet decide to require electronic
submission. In addition, new application forms are required in FY07.
Information on new application forms, acceptable submission options,
resources, frequently asked questions, and tips is located on the
CSREES Web site under Funding Opportunities – FY 2007 Application
Changes (http://www.csrees.usda.gov/funding/fy07changes.html).
Contact Jason Hitchcock, program leader for Information Systems
and Technology Management unit, at jhitchcock@csrees.usda.gov
or 202-720 – 4343 for more information on eGrant implementation
at CSREES.
ERS STATE FACT SHEETS
USDA/Economic Research Service (ERS) recently updated State
Fact Sheets containing frequently requested data for each state
and for the total United States. These include current data on population,
per-capita income, earnings per job, poverty rates, employment,
unemployment, farm and farm-related jobs, farm characteristics,
farm financial characteristics, top agricultural commodities, top
export commodities, and the top counties in agricultural sales.
The State Fact Sheets have been updated to include per capita income
and earnings per job estimates for 2004. Also 2005 population, and
unemployment estimates have been added. County-level lookup tables
are available for the population and unemployment estimates. The
State Fact Sheets are located on the ERS website http://www.ers.usda.gov/StateFacts/.
WELCOME TO JIM LINDSTROM, EXTENSION
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM DIRECTOR
Welcome to Jim Lindstrom, Extension Professional Development
System Director. Jim begins his new duties in August and will be
based at WSU Spokane Riverpoint Campus. Jim will be responsible
for providing leadership in the development, implementation, coordination,
supervision, and annual evaluation of all aspects of the WSU Extension
Professional Development system. Jim will identify core competencies
for Extension employees, identify existing opportunities, assess
and bridge needs, promote professional development activities for
the core competencies, and oversee the establishment of a WSU Extension
Professional Development website. He will work with Extension professional
development committees to provide feedback to the WSU Extension
Administrative Team regarding program needs. While not teaching
courses for the degree program, Jim will be able to work with faculty
offering a BA in PD. The Professional Development website (http://www.spokane.wsu.edu/academic/profdev/
) provides more detail on the Bachelor of Arts in Professional Development.
Currently offered under the auspices of the Program in Professional
Development are two interdisciplinary undergraduate degree programs;
a Bachelor of Arts in Professional Development (BAPD), and a Bachelor
of Science in Informatics (BSI). BAPD is a general education degree
anchored in the social and behavioral sciences, with an emphasis
on leadership from a liberal arts/humanities perspective.
WELCOME NEW EXTENSION GRANT &
CONTRACT COORDINATOR
Please join us in welcoming Jennifer Jansen to the Extension
Grants Team. Jennifer's last position was with the Office of Grant
& Research Development and we look forward to having her expertise
on our team. Jennifer is the contact person for grants for County
Extension in the Northeast & Southeast Districts and for on-campus
units. She can be reached at jjansen@wsu.edu
509/335-2867. Joan Root is the contact person for County Extension
in the Northwest & Southwest Districts and for off-campus units
rootj@wsu.edu 509/335-2885.
For all other grant questions or concerns, please contact Esther
Tate etate@wsu.edu 509/335-6885.
SCHEDULE
Monday Linda will be in Pullman in the morning and in Spokane
in the afternoon for meetings with Spokane County. She will be in
Pullman on Tuesday and in Baltimore Wednesday through Friday for
a Council on Extension, Continuing Education, and Public Service
(CECEPS) meeting. John will be in Pullman Monday and Tuesday, on
Wednesday he’ll be in Wenatchee at the Tree Fruit Research
and Extension Center and Thursday through Friday he will be in Colville
for the Washington Farm Forestry Association Annual Meeting.
******************************
Linda Kirk Fox, PhD
Dean and Director
Washington State University Extension
PO Box 646230, 411 Hulbert Hall
Pullman WA 99164-6230
(509) 335-2933 Office
(509) 335-9223 Desk/Voicemail
FAX (509) 335-2926
lkfox@wsu.edu
|
