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Columbia County 4‑H to convert part‑time funding into full‑time position for 'Think Differently' program
Summary
Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) staff told supervisors the county-provided $40,000 line item will support a full‑time 4‑H position to run an inclusive 'Think Differently' program for neurodivergent youth; program expansion also aims to support club leadership and after‑school offerings.
A Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) representative told Columbia County supervisors county funding will be repurposed to create a full‑time 4‑H position focused on the program "Think Differently," which serves neurodivergent youth.
The presenter said the county provided a $40,000 line item that will be used to convert two days per week of an existing 4‑H educator’s time into one full‑time position dedicated to the program. "We're going to take that funding and then 2 days a week of the 4‑H educator... and make it 1 full time person," the CCE representative said, describing the change as a way to be "more efficient with public dollars." The program will adapt 4‑H curricula and delivery—such as noise and lighting sensitivity—to be more inclusive and will include after‑school and community programming.
The presenter said about 20%–25% of the county 4‑H membership are on the autism spectrum or have neurodivergent traits and that the Think Differently program was piloted at the county fair and in school outreach. The change is intended both to provide dedicated programming for those youth and to act as a club leader resource so clubs remain active when volunteer leaders are scarce.
Program activity numbers cited at the meeting included an environmental awareness day (weather affected), an elementary-school ag day with about 250 students, 14 Columbia County projects that made it to the New York State Fair in the prior year, and 14–15 active clubs in the 4‑H program. The presenter emphasized continued need for volunteer club leaders and encouraged county officials to support recruitment and outreach.
The CCE representative said the new full‑time position will be Columbia County–based and will raise the number of full‑time 4‑H staff to three. The presenter framed the move as a cost‑effective way to expand services to youth who benefit from specialized delivery of standard 4‑H curricula.
Supervisors asked about program logistics and partnerships with after‑school providers; the presenter said archery, hiking and yoga offerings have strong uptake and that program managers and local partners can be contacted to coordinate additional sessions.
