Congratulations to the 4-H Youth Development staff. Of the 44 sites funded in the country from the 2007 JC Penney Afterschool Fund mini-grants, 15 are in New Hampshire, reaching nine counties.

These efforts bring $247,627 into the state to help programs provide 565 slots for children in need of care during the after school hours. For example:

• 83 percent of submitted New Hampshire projects received funding.
• New Hampshire awards range from $4,256 to $25,000.
• The average award per slot in New Hamsphire was $438; the average award in all other projects nationally was $524.

This is a significant contribution to the state of New Hampshire and a huge boost for 4-H since all of these programs now have signed Partnership Plans for 4-H Afterschool.