Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the UW Extension Programs & Staffing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
UW‑Extension briefs committee on health programs, hiring of PFAS specialist and contract fee increase
Summary
UW‑Extension reported local health and wellness programming (Sit and Be Fit, StrongBodies, Stepping On), strong youth-program participation, the hiring of a statewide Emerging Contaminants Specialist to support PFAS work, and a 2% FY2027 contract fee increase for co-funded educators.
Laurel Parins, a UW‑Madison Division of Extension educator, updated the committee on health and well‑being programming on June 8, describing local offerings that target older adults and community members—Sit and Be Fit, StrongBodies, Stepping On, and Mind Over Matter—and outreach activities including youth programs, media segments, and ADRC partnerships.
Parins demonstrated simple exercises used in programming and emphasized mental‑health supports such as breathing techniques and stress management. She also described youth programming activity and the expansion of the Youth in Governance program from a three‑person pilot to seven participants this year.
Amber (A.) Rehberg, Area 4 Extension Director, told the committee that UW‑Madison Division of Extension has hired a statewide Emerging Contaminants Specialist who will focus on PFAS and related contaminants, providing educational resources and planning tools to counties rather than direct on‑site implementation. Rehberg said she will contact the specialist about presenting to the committee. She also outlined a staffing reorganization effective June 29 that narrows her service area and assigns Karly Harrison additional county responsibilities, and she noted the FY2027 contract fee for co‑funded UW‑Extension positions will be $50,045 (a 2% increase being shared with the committee for budget planning).
The committee received UWEX budget and invoice reports as informational items and was provided a calendar of upcoming events including youth camps and placemaking and robotics programs.
