Program Action Teams
a staggering $258 million in funding, with $51 million already awarded and more awards pending. The program’s proven track record of success exemplifies the tremendous value of NTAE. Through the NTAE grant program, the Extension Foundation provides comprehensive support to the PATs, giving them access to resources and helping develop technology solutions to move their work forward in the following ways: • Assisting in applications for funding for national efforts • Designing and hosting national issues-based convenings • Developing system-wide strategic planning efforts and resources • Strengthening online reporting systems • Creating resource repositories • Increasing engagement among and building communities of practice using subgroups on Connect Extension, the Foundation’s online collaboration space • Updating and enhancing web resources (e.g., redesigning pats. extension.org ) • Conducting national online surveys • Developing partnerships • Hiring PAT fellows to move specific projects forward • Creating marketing materials (e.g., email campaigns, publications) • Facilitating leadership development activities and meetings
Addressing priority issues across Extension
OVERVIEW Program Action Teams (PATs) are groups of Extension professionals from across the United States, organized and managed by the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP). The PATs advance crucial issues that are likely to have a system- wide impact by creating and expanding networks, conducting program assessments (activities and resources), facilitating strategic planning, convening conferences, writing white papers, making policy recommendations, and securing funding for work. CURRENT WORK PRIORITIES • Health Equity & Well-Being • Climate Mitigation, Resiliency, & Adaptation • Workforce & Economic Development • 4-H Positive Youth Development • Broadband Access & Digital Skills • Urban Agriculture & Food Systems • Pathways, Partnerships, & Engagement • Food Systems & Food Waste
STRUCTURE & LEADERSHIP PATs are chaired/co-chaired by director/administrator members and liaisons of the ECOP Program Committee and include Extension Directors, Extension faculty/ professionals, internal collaborators (e.g., Extension Foundation, Regional Rural Development Centers, 4-H Council), and external collaborators including National Institute of Food and Agriculture liaisons (e.g., federal government agencies, philanthropic organizations, nongovernmental organizations, private-sector participants). Participation in PATs is open and voluntary. ORGANIZATION PATs typically form smaller steering committees (10–20 members) and larger interest groups. They offer opportunities for involvement through various implementation teams, project writing teams, work groups, and more. ACHIEVEMENTS & IMPACT NTAE support has resulted in the development of robust networks through the ECOP PATs, comprising nearly 2,000 members and 730 key partners. NTAE’s efforts have also supported the submission of applications that support Extension’s system-wide programmatic efforts for
Significant Impact
Since the inception of the PATs and their partnership with the Extension Foundation in fiscal year 2020-2021, more than $51 million has been secured to advance national efforts in areas ranging from climate adaptation to workforce development.
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2023-2024 YEARBOOK | EXTENSION FOUNDATION/NTAE
EXTENSION FOUNDATION/NTAE | 2023-2024 YEARBOOK
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