Chancellor's Commission on Extension

2. Core Programs and Minimum Professional Staff at All Local Extension Offices U of I Extension should focus on four core program areas: Agriculture and Natural Resources, Youth Development and 4-H, Family and Consumer Sciences, and Community and Economic Development. Each local U of I Extension office should deliver programs in each of the core areas, with emphases determined by local Councils, and have a minimum professional staff of two Educators.
Each local U of I Extension office must provide local citizens access to programs in each of the four core program areas annually, but the scope and emphasis of local programming depend upon local needs and priorities, as determined by local Councils. In this context, Councils are responsible for providing input into the determination of program quality in all four areas.

The presence, at the local level, of professional staff with subject matter expertise is key to successful local programming and the fulfillment of Extension's mission.

Recommendations

The University of Illinois Cooperative Extension System should support four core program areas:
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Youth Development and 4-H
Family and Consumer Sciences
Community and Economic Development
(see Appendix A)
Each core program area must be supported throughout U of I Extension.
Effective local presence is essential and requires a minimum professional staff of two Educators at each local office, with one being a youth development and 4-H and/or family professional and the other having a program specialization in one of the other core program areas. An office facility, secretary, additional support worker, and operating expenses are also required.
Extension should review job descriptions and titles for all positions.
One Educator in each local office should be designated by the Regional Director to carry out administrative and management functions for the local office. These functions include budget development and fiscal management, facilities and equipment management, Council support and operations, overall program coordination and so forth. Such a designation should carry an appropriate title, such as director or chair, but these responsibilities should normally not account for more than 25 percent of the individual's time. The title Unit Leader should be discontinued.
To meet local needs, local councils may add additional staff beyond the minimum of two Educators, a secretary and a support worker. Availability of funds and concurrence of the Regional Director are required to add staff.
The option to form multi-county local U of I Extension offices must continue to be available to local Councils as they seek to make the best use of available resources to meet local needs through efficient, effective Extension programs. There should be no disincentives, financial or otherwise, to the formation of multi-county local Extension offices where such offices are deemed appropriate and desirable by local Councils.