Five years after West Virginia University Extension teamed up with Aetna Better Health of West Virginia to provide funding for youths in foster care to join 4-H, the program has helped more than 700 youths and donated more than $50,000 to county 4-H programs.
What started as an idea from a 4-H alum has blossomed into something that makes a real difference in the lives of youths across West Virginia.
The program was established in 2020 when West Virginia transitioned to a managed care organization system and selected Aetna Better Health of WV to serve youth in foster care. To make 4-H programming more accessible to children in foster care, a $100 scholarship was established, while youth receiving Medicaid or CHIP benefits are eligible for a $50 scholarship.
Jordan Pruett, director of social determinants of health at Aetna, wanted to be able to do more for his community. As a former Mercer County 4-H’er himself, Pruett understood how widespread and connected the 4-H program is in West Virginia, as well as how much of an impact it can have on a person’s life.
“4-H instills an attitude of giving back to your community, making sure that you're involved, and making sure others are taken care of,” Pruett said. “When I started working with Aetna Better Health right after college, I was looking for ways that we could help make sure everyone has what they need to live a successful life. My 4-H upbringing taught me those values and the importance of empathy at a young age, and I’ve carried that onto my professional career.”
After aging out of the state foster care system, there is limited support for youths. Pruett pitched this idea in hopes that by encouraging children in foster care to join 4-H, they would build life-changing connections.
This program is essential to providing that opportunity for as many youths as possible because of the state’s high level of need. Across all 55 counties in West Virginia, 67% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch on average, with some counties reaching 100% eligibility.
“We don’t want 4-H to just be available to the people who can afford it; we want it to be open to every child in the state who wants to be a part of this family,” Nila Cobb, 4-H Extension specialist for health promotion and youth at risk, said.
As the health promotion and youth at risk specialist, Cobb examines and implements healthy lifestyle activities for youths, as well as working with the youth at risk population to help best set them up for success. She conducts and examines research on the levels of need across the state and pursues grants that can assist in addressing those needs.
Statewide data shows a substantial increase in the number of West Virginia’s school-aged children living in households at or below 130% of the Federal Poverty Level in recent years. Since 2017, this rate has risen from 71% to 84.49%, affecting counties across the state, including those that were previously considered more economically resilient.
“In today’s economy, it’s incredibly hard on parents to get their children engaged in quality activities that don’t cost a lot of money. I like to say we use the ‘whack-a-mole method,’ where we pull together resources in every way we can to make sure that we have quality programming, as well as finding ways to make it accessible for all families,” Cobb said. “There is never one single answer, but Aetna has been a wonderful component of our answer to help get some of the youths with the highest need into our programs.”
When working with the state’s most vulnerable youths, there are many unforeseen barriers to participation. Cobb said these funds can assist in closing the opportunity gap for youths in foster care by allowing them to attend 4-H camps and become active 4-H members.
“Online registration processes, transportation, and even personal care items and clothing can be potential issues for youths attending residential camps,” Cobb said. “This funding can help with not only camp registration, but also allow 4-H faculty to recognize other areas of need for youths that can be addressed.”
Aetna’s commitment to this program is a great example of how a 4-H alum and volunteer used his professional experience to give back to the program he loves and help even more youths across the state find that love for themselves.
“4-H really gives you those life skills that will lead you on to the next steps in your life and career. No matter what passion or path you want to follow, I really believe that everyone can benefit from spending time in the 4-H program and I want to be able to help as many kids as possible get the same opportunity I was afforded growing up,” Pruett said.
Aetna’s contribution was made through the WVU Foundation, the nonprofit organization that receives and administers private donations on behalf of the University.