MISSISSIPPI STATE – The Mississippi State University Extension Service 4-H program received a $10,000 grant to improve the state’s after-school programming by training 500 of its providers.

The MetLife Foundation and the National 4-H Council provided the grant. Mississippi was one of 11 states to receive the grant aimed at improving after-school programming offered across the state.

“Mississippi has more than 775,000 youth under age 18,” said Susan Holder, Extension state 4-H program leader. “Almost 100,000 of these children live in poverty and are in dire need of constructive, instructive after-school activities to promote training in areas of personal growth and development and career guidance.”

The training will allow 4-H after-school providers to increase the number of youth involved in these programs and make civic engagement part of their daily lives. Other goals are to give young people more opportunities to develop leadership skills and help them play positive roles in their own communities.

Mississippi is offering training via statewide video conference Sept. 12 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 30 locations across the state. Staff development hours and continuing education credits are available. Participants will receive free curriculum materials and other training tools to use in their local programs.

Registration is limited to the first 500 who preregister by Aug. 25 at http://www.msuoutreach.com. For training locations and other information, contact the local 4-H agent or Betty Rawlings at (662) 325-3350 or rawlings@ext.msstate.edu.