Colorado’s Juntos 4-h supports families after high school

In Weld County, Colorado, the Juntos 4-H program helps students and their families navigate the educational system and prepare for life after high school.

The program began at North Carolina State University 20 years ago as a way to address high dropout rates among Latino and Hispanic youth. Leaders at NC State Extension created workshops to bring parents and youth together to learn about education, eventually expanding to include summer academies, coaching, and career development.

The Juntos model spread nationally with support from the National 4-H Council and funding from the New York Life Foundation. Coordinators actively reach out to families through school events and community gatherings, offering sessions in Spanish, English, or both, and often providing meals and music. Patrick Pulis leads the Juntos 4-H program in Weld County, where he observed increased communication between parents and children about education during workshops.

While Juntos initially expanded to multiple Colorado counties, Weld County is now the only active site. This change occurred after the national program shifted to a funding model requiring states and counties to pay for continued access, which proved unsustainable for some areas lacking financial support. Weld County continued due to a large donation from a local energy company specifically to support families who would benefit from the program.

Program leaders hope to expand Juntos 4-H to other Colorado counties in the future.