YOUTH PARTICIPATORY ACTION RESEARCH
HOW DID CROP+TR IMPLEMENT PARTICIPATORY ACTION RESEARCH?
Between 2020 - 2021, CROP+TR facilitated a 4-H YPAR curriculum for teens focused on the opioid epidemic. Content included the basic science of opioid drugs, risks for opioid misuse, health consequences of opioid misuse, and evidence-based interventions for prevention, treatment, and recovery from opioid use disorder. WSU faculty in extension, human development, and the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine collaborated alongside WSU County Extension staff and Faculty and local community partners to implement this curriculum.
Youth who participated in CROP+TR 4-H YPAR learned about the content areas described above, conducted a relevant needs assessment, and formulated and implemented a plan for improving prevention, treatment, or recovery in their communities.
WHAT IS PARTICIPATORY ACTION RESEARCH?
Youth Advocates for Health (YA4-H!) is a positive youth development program in the WSU Extension Youth and Family Unit. YA4-H! develops teens as leaders and advocates for
health within their communities. This program is led by Dr. Elizabeth Weybright in collaboration with county Extension faculty across the state. One element of YA4-H! is youth participatory action research.
Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) is a process designed for teens ages 14-18. The goal of YPAR is to engage teens in a research process learning about a health issue facing their community. This is accomplished through a partnership with other teens and trained adult mentors or WSU staff and faculty. The outcome is the development and implementation of a youth-led health promotion project. Participation in YPAR is associated with positive outcomes including increased youth civic engagement and empowerment.
MEET THE CROP+TR YPAR TEAM!
Jennifer Fees, MEd
4-H Nutrition & Healthy Living Educator
Washington State University Spokane County Extension
Melanie Greer, MA
4-H Program Coordinator
Washington State University Clallam County Extension
Alison White, MEd
Associate Professor, 4-H Youth Development
Washington State University Yakima County & Kittitas County Extension
Elizabeth Weybright, PhD
Associate Professor, Human Development & Adolescent Extension Specialist
Washington State University Human Development