WE ARE STILL IN PHASE C, BUT SOME THINGS HAVE CHANGED! 
Thank you for continuing to choose to be an important part of the Alaska 4-H and Alaska FFA programs. Our staff have been working hard to support our volunteers and 4-H families as we navigate this pandemic. Safety is our #1 goal in all of our youth development programs. 

University of Alaska Fairbanks  Institute of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Extension Youth Development Programs (IANRE YDP) leadership recognizes that each community has a different context, and thus, some programs may choose to operate under more strict guidelines than set forth in the IANRE COVID Mitigation Plan.  This plan is the benchmark for club and youth development program operations. 
  • This plan is to be followed by all 4-H/FFA volunteers and staff who wish to have face-to-face programs.   ​
  • Regarding Phase C: Please note, UAF and IANRE YDP will continue to monitor the situation and may modify guidance as conditions change.
  • If you, as a program leader for 4-H/FFA programs decide to hold face-to-face programming under Phase C, the mitigation plan below should be followed.

Please Be Sure You Read, Understand & Adhere to the Mitigation Plan

The IANRE Mitigation Plan was developed for staff, faculty, volunteers & students.  The excerpt below applies to UAF youth development programming and should be followed during all in-person programming: 

  • Physical distancing should be practiced as directed by local, State and Federal standards
  • All participants should stay home when showing symptomatic or known exposure to virus
  • Wearing masks and gloves when prudent
​Updated August 2, 2021
Fully vaccinated and not fully vaccinated individuals:
a. Face masks are required indoors and in university vehicles.
b. Face masks are required when outdoors if it is not possible to maintain 6 feet of distance
from other people.
c. Face masks are required outdoors when mandated by an event- or location-specific
mitigation plan.

  • Consistent use of hand-sanitizer and hand-washing procedures
  • Consistent cleaning of surfaces/machines/equipment and office equipment
  • Events and class sizes limited per phase level (50% capacity in Phase C)
  • Comply with COVID-19 Reporting Procedures
  • Larger group events: Gatherings and events can be held provided that CDC and State of Alaska guidance and local mandates are observed. 
  • Safety measures - Follow the best practices and recommendations from the CDC, to include optimal social distancing.
  • Those who are not fully vaccinated for COVID-19: wearing masks for indoor interactions is the expectation and should be the norm.

Examples of Recommended Safety Measures
1) Posting COVID-19 procedures for the specific location on all entry doors including: mandatory masks, safe distancing, one way traffic if applicable, non-symptomatic entry only
2) If your meeting location has two doors, choose one for entry and one for exit to help minimize people passing each other in doorways.
3) All locations are encouraged to arrange furniture to ensure that there is a safe distance between people.
4) All food items will be prepackaged or served; no sharing of utensils.


Exposure to COVID-19 Response


In the event a YDP participating family, volunteer, or staff member reports a positive test of COVID-19, participants who may have been exposed to positive cases shall be informed ASAP.  This shall pertain to any participant in close contact with the affected person in the 48 hours prior to them developing symptoms.

VOLUNTEER ROLE: 
  • If a volunteer tests positive or is made aware of a positive case of a participant, they should provide district staff with case information. 
    • No information about the case should be shared with anyone else. 
  • In the event of a positive COVID-19 case, for locations personnel manages: Personnel will immediately clean and disinfect all surfaces with disinfectant spray, Clorox wipes or a dilute bleach solution (1/3 cup bleach to 1 gallon water).
STAFF ROLE: 
  • If Staff is made aware of a positive COVID-19 case within program, take the following steps: 
    • Notify State YPD Staff of positive test results.
    • Notify Public Health in the area of the program.
  • Contact the participants who may have come in close contact with the infected individual, but do not give out any personal information.  Follow Steps below. 
State the following when contacting YPD participants:
  • Someone in your group tested positive.
  • Be mindful and observe for any signs of illness. 
  • You must quarantine for 14 days, as mandated by the State of Alaska. 
  • You may or may not be contacted by the Department of Health and Human Services. 
  • No personal information about the case will ever be shared with anyone other than Department of Health.




Past Communications

March 25, 2020
March 25, 2020 Note To 4-H Families
In order to comply with current CDC, State of Alaska and UAF restrictions put into place, all 4-H activities will be canceled or conducted via video conferencing through April 30. University facilities will be unavailable for meetings until April 30. 
Please note that this date will likely be extended again as the situation deems necessary for our health and safety. 
Further information will be shared as it is made available.
No face to face 4-H activities should occur during this time. Please use virtual capabilities if possible.  We are here to help! 
Let us know what assistance you may need in getting virtual 4-H activities happening! 
If you have questions regarding 4-H activities, please contact your local Cooperative Extension/4-H staff member. 
Thank you,
Candi Dierenfield
Interim 4-H and Youth Development Program Leader
May 1, 2020
May 1, 2020 Note to 4-H Families
Until May 31, guidance from UAF and the Institute of Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Extension compels all Alaska 4-H activities to continue to be solely conducted via video conferencing or cancelled. University facilities are still unavailable for meetings until further notice. Please note that this date may be extended if the situation deems necessary for our health and safety. 
Further information will be shared as it is made available. Alaska 4-H faculty and staff continue to be here to help! Please let us know what you may need to get virtual club activities going!
If you have any questions regarding 4-H activities, please contact your local Cooperative Extension/4-H staff.
Thank you,
Candi Dierenfield
Interim 4-H and Youth Development Program Leader
June 5, 2020
June 5, 2020 Note to 4-H Families
The University is moving to "Phase B" of operations and safety restriction guidelines. We have been working diligently on creating a process in which our 4-H youth and leaders can slowly resume face-to-face meetings, activities, and programming. Please plan on attending one of our scheduled teleconferences (via zoom) this week to learn more.
If you have any questions regarding 4-H activities, please contact your local Cooperative Extension Service/4-H staff
Thank you ,
Candi Dierenfield
Interim 4-H and Youth Development Program Leader

Please note, if you plan to attend, you will need to get the Zoom password from your district agent. ​
​
June 12, 2020
June 12, 2020 Note to 4-H Families
The University of Alaska system has moved to Phase B of operations and safety restriction guidelines. However, unfortunately, UAF has not given exemption approval for for the Alaska 4-H and Youth Development Programs to resume face-to-face meetings. We appreciate the difficult decisions that have to be made in these unprecedented times in which we live. Our hope is that our amazing leaders and youth continue to "make the best better" in their own ways, safely. We also hope that the safety and well-being of our members, volunteers, faculty, and staff continue to remain in the forefront of UAF decision making. We will continue to send out information as we receive guidance.
If you have any questions regarding 4-H activities, please contact your local Cooperative Extension Service/4-H staff
Thank you ,
Candi Dierenfield
Interim 4-H and Youth Development Program Leader
August 17, 2020
May 26, 2021
August 10, 2021
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