July 2, 2024
The Role of Program Focus Teams (PFT) and Leadership
Since their inception, Program Focus Teams are often associated with playing four very important roles:
- Provide a forum in which to identify programming needs at the local, regional and state levels.
- Developing or securing curriculum to address important programmatic needs across the state.
- Providing general professional development in the PFT’s subject matter to extension professionals who do not plan to specialize in that subject matter.
- Providing more advanced professional development in the PFT’s subject matter to extension professionals who want to specialize in that subject matter.
The program development process starts with conducting a sound needs assessment to identify programming needs. Needs assessment data and perspective should be gathered at the local, regional, state and national levels and then be shared within the PFT.
The PFT members then determine which educational programs are needed to address the salient issues that meet local, regional, state and national programmatic needs, and which address needs, based on the overall demand for the program and its potential impact to the people of Kansas.
There are several places for input into the needs assessment process including:
- Program Development Committees.
- Other local advisory sources.
- Regional and state specialists.
- State and national data trends.
- Administration.
Once the top programmatic issues are identified, the choice of appropriate educational curriculum and materials can be selected or developed. Curriculum development and/or curriculum review and selection are key components to match identified issues and needs with educational content, along with evaluation tools.
PFTs are charged with providing general and advanced professional development to the PFT and the broader system. General subject matter training could focus on core elements associated with PFT areas and include curriculum training. Advanced professional development would go a step further in developing agents content expertise for specialization and in-depth knowledge.
PFT Leadership is essential in carrying out KSRE’s overall mission, providing direction, guidance and coordination to their respective PFTs. PFT leaders assist in facilitating PFT needs assessments, action plans, curriculum development or selection in collaboration with the specialist and evaluation liaison. It also includes providing support of general and advanced professional development needs of PFT members, as well as the broader system.
Each of these functions enable our system to identify programming needs, craft action plans, select appropriate educational curriculum and resources and evaluate the effectiveness of our educational programs.