Life Skills DevelopmentPlan of Work

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Oldham County CES

Title:
Life Skills Development
MAP:
Life Skills Development
Agents Involved:
Kelly Woods, Chris Duncan
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Embracing Life as We Age (general)
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Managing in Tough Times
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Family and Consumer Sciences 4-H Core Curriculum
Situation:

How we live life is ever-changing but learning basic life skills is still as important as ever. Learning to practice healthy habits, select clothing to emphasize one’s best appearance, create and live within a budget, prepare nutritious meals safely, nurture children, create a safe and pleasant home environment, practice common courtesies, and form relationships with others—

all of these skills are basic to everyday life. Many schools no longer include family and consumer sciences classes in the curriculum. Reality is

that today’s youth and adults are busier than ever. Many of these basic life skills are not consistently taught at home or at school.


Situations have been identified through County Extension Council, program councils and community issues activities and feedback. Extension Council reviewed and prioritized several top county issues that Extension can address through programs: Family Development & Cultivating Family Living; Financial Skills; and Beginning Farmer and Self Reliance Skills. Character Education was ranked at the top of the list.


Oldham County population has remained relatively flat over the last few years and is currently at 61,412. Unemployment rose from 3.0% in 2000 to 8.6% in 2009 and is currently at 6.6%. The poverty rate rose from 4.4% in 2000 to 6.4% in 2011, and the child poverty rate rose from 5.3% to 8.0% from 2000 to 2011. (UK CEDIK data)

Long-Term Outcomes:

Participants will teach others acquired skills, helping build community stability.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Participants will apply skills learned to reach individual goals and strengthen family stability.

Initial Outcomes:

Participants learn new skills that support personal and family growth.

Evaluation:

Long-term Outcome: Participants will teach others acquired skills, helping build community stability.

Indicator: Exit Survey completed by participants.

Method: Survey

Timeline: 2018-19 program year


Intermediate Outcome: Participants will apply skills learned to reach individual goals and strengthen family stability.

Indicator: Program evaluation completed by the teacher

Method: On line survey

Timeline: 2018 - 2019 program year


Initial Outcome: Participants learn new skills that support personal and family growth.

Indicator: Evaluation completed by youth

Method: Pre and Post Evaluation

Timeline: 2018 - 2019 program year



Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Youth ages 9 to 13

Project or Activity: Santa’s Workshops

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum

Inputs: Curriculum, 4-H Volunteers and Teens, Homemakers, Master Gardeners, CES Staff

Date: December 2018


Activity: Reality Store

Audience: Freshman (South Oldham High & Oldham County High)and Juniors (North Oldham High School)

Content or Curriculum: It's Your Reality

Inputs: Rotary Clubs Participation, Funding from Oldham County Schools and Metro United Way, Extension Staff and Volunteers, Oldham County Health Department, Oldham County Library

Date: September 2018- North Oldham High; March 2019 for Oldham County High;  and April 2019 for South Oldham High school


Audience: Oldham County limited resource families

Activity: Money Management Classes

Content or Curriculum: Moneywise materials and newsletters

Input: FCS Agent

Date: Mondays at Highpoint Mission in La Grange


Audience: Adults interested in improving sewing skills

Activity: Come Sew with Us Sewing classes

Content or Curriculum: Economical sewing projects

Inputs: Master Clothing Volunteer and FCS Agent

Date: Fourth Monday Evening August - April


Audience:  Homemakers and General Public

Activity:  Cooking Under Pressure class

Content or Curriculum:  Approved UK FCS Program 

Inputs:  FCS Agent 

Date:  January 2019



Success Stories

4-H Camp Expansion

Author: Kelly Woods

Major Program: Summer Residential Camps

In an extension study of 4-H camp, youth indicated their participation helped them acquire life skills, most of all in making new friends, developing new skills, and gaining independence and the ability to take care of themselves. Parents and guardians identified significant gains in their children in the areas of responsibility for actions, work responsibility, and increasing initiative as a self-starter (Garst & Bruce, 2003). At the close of the 2019 Oldham County Camping session, campers

Full Story

4-H Woodworkers of Oldham County

Author: Kelly Woods

Major Program: Natural Resources 4-H Core Curriculum

Life skills development plays an important role in every child’s development by establishing opportunities for self-reliance and self-confidence and was identified by the 4-H Council as a priority. Oldham County 4-H organized a new 4-H club this past year focusing on woodworking skills.  Club members are now able to identify wood types, utilize a variety of woodworking tools, assemble and fasten wood pieces by following plans and most importantly teach others the skills they have lear

Full Story

4-H Member Produces 4-H Promotional Video

Author: Kelly Woods

Major Program: Communications and Expressive Arts 4-H Core Curriculum

Oldham County 4-H member who participated in the Communication Event produced an Oldham 4-H Promotion Video to be used online and as a promotion tool for club membership.   In the video, the member interviews current 4-H members and leaders sharing the impact 4-H has made in their life. The member produced and narrated the video utilizing skills acquired through participation in the 4-H Communications Program. Public speaking skills are ranked number one among the skill sets of profess

Full Story

Life Skills Develop Effective Leaders

Author: Kelly Woods

Major Program: Leadership 4-H Core Curriculum

One National 4-H Youth Initiative is youth will gain life skills and experiences needed to emerge as effective leaders and contributing members of society. Oldham County 4-H strives to maintain a strong base of Community Clubs which are leader led.  Relationships with leaders and 4-H community partnerships create an environment in which a young person can thrive developing life skills and leadership.  In addition, the 4-H Council is focusing on efforts to maintain older youth.  Pr

Full Story
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