Building Stronger FamiliesPlan of Work

Back to Plans for the County

Simpson County CES

Title:
Building Stronger Families
MAP:
Developing Youth & Nurturing Families
Agents Involved:
Christy Ramey, Catherine Webster, Jason Phillips
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Communications and Expressive Arts 4-H Core Curriculum
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Science, Engineering and Technology 4-H Core Curriculum
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Nurturing Families (general)
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Nurturing Parenting
Situation:
How we live life is ever changing but learning basic life skills is still as important as ever. Whether we are creating a pleasant home environment for our family, nurturing children, practicing common courtesies, or forming relationships with others – these skills are all basic to everyday life. Many schools no longer teach FCS classes and families today are busier than ever before. Which means, basic life skills for positive youth development and nurturing families are not consistently being taught in schools or in our homes. Hands-on extension programming equip youth and families with these much necessary life skills! Nurturing homes are built around the science of caring & respectful relationships.
4-H offers basic learning activities in seven core areas of interest to youth, however it’s the unlimited addition of 4-H activities where members report the influence 4-H has on their life. Most youth report that participating in one or two educational opportunities influenced their critical thinking and decision making skills. However for those 4-H members that participate in six-eight they say the program influenced them by adding the development of life skills in leadership, organization, wise use of resources, useful/marketable skills, and accepting differences.
Long-Term Outcomes:
Long-term Outcomes:
-Be responsible and contributing individuals and family members
-Contribute to a safe, pleasant and productive home and family
-Gain and maintain employment through life skill development
-Youth develop into competent, capable, contributing adults as a result of their participation in 4-H Communications, Science/Engineering/Technology, Camp, etc.
Intermediate Outcomes:
Intermediate Outcomes:
-Youth write and deliver a speech with a clear introduction, body, and closing
-Demonstrate an increased level of confidence when presenting in front of a group
-Use communication skills to assume a leadership role in 4-H & other organizations
-Project a positive image and self-confidence
-Make choices that lead to responsible and beneficial results within the home, family, and workplace
-Apply & practice the skills gained from Extension and share new abilities with others
Initial Outcomes:
Initial Outcome:
-Youth research a presentation topic, write an outline, and create/present a formal presentation
-Understand decision-making process
-Gain skills in setting a goal and developing a plan of action
-Report an increase in routine use of life skills learned through Extension & 4-H programs like Love & Logic, Homemakers, Communications, SET, & Camp
Evaluation:
Evaluation:
Outcome: Be responsible and contributing individuals and family members that contribute to a safe, pleasant and productive home & family. Individuals maintain employment through life skill development. Youth develop into competent, capable, contributing adults as a result of their participation in 4-H.
Indicator: Youth document improving their communication skills and have confidence speaking in front of a group. Parents report a change in family & home dynamics after participation in Extension programs.
Method: Written evaluation given to program participants, following program as well as up to one year later.
Timeline: July 2016-May 2017



Learning Opportunities:

Learning Opportunities (repeat as needed):

Audience: School Children and Families

Activity: Back to School Bash

Curriculum: Nutrition and Family Health

Inputs: Community partners, Agents, Staff, donations from businesses, volunteers

Date: July 2017


Audience: Parents

Activity: Parenting Classes

Curriculum: Parenting with Love and Logic

Inputs: Community Ed, Extension Homemakers, agent taught, volunteers, churches

Date: Fall 2017


Audience: Childcare providers and agencies

Activity: Community Early Childhood Council

Curriculum: community strategic planning

Inputs: Parents of preschoolers, daycare providers, child agencies, head start, schools, Family Resource Centers, FCS agent

Date: All year (if funded)


Audience: Extension Homemakers

Activity:Holidays on a Budget

Curriculum: Extension resources

Inputs: Agent led, train-the-trainer, computers, internet access

Date: September-October 2017


Audience: 4-H Members

Project or Activity: Sewing, Foods, Shooting Sports, Photography Clubs

Content or Curriculum: State & National 4-H Curriculum

Inputs: Club Leaders, School District, Homemakers, Extension Office, City of Franklin Police Range, F.S. Community Park, Masonic Lodge

Date: July 2017-June 2018


Audience: Ages 9-18

Project or Activity: 4-H Talk Meet & Demonstrations

Content or Curriculum: Building Bridges

Inputs: Community Volunteers, School District, Extension Office

Date: February – April 2018


Audience: Ages 5-15

Project or Activity: 4-H Camp & Cloverbud Camp

Content or Curriculum: Camp Classes, Vary by Year

Inputs: Volunteer Leaders as chaperones, West KY 4-H Camp, School District Bus, Community Donors for scholarships, 4-H Volunteers to fundraise, Piggly Wiggly

Date: June-July 2017


Audience: 6th Grade

Project or Activity: Lego Robotics

Content or Curriculum: Lego Educational Kits & Lesson plans written by School District

Inputs: School District

Date: November 2017-April 2018


Audience: 8th-12th Grades

Project or Activity: Teen Conference and Exchange Trip

Content or Curriculum: Leadership

Inputs: 4-H Volunteers as chaperones & to fundraiser, Community to support fundraisers, Kingman County Kansas,

Date: July 2017 & June 2018


Audience: 4-H Families

Project or Activity: 4-H Banquet

Content or Curriculum: Simpson County 4-H Award Guidelines, KY 4-H Achievement Applications

Inputs: Community donors (silent auction, meal & award sponsors), 4-H Volunteers, Members & Parents, Trophy Shop & National 4-H Supply

Date: October-November 2017






Success Stories

Interstate Exchange Trip

Author: Catherine Webster

Major Program: Leadership 4-H Core Curriculum

Seven youth and two chaperones from Kent County Delaware traveled to Kentucky to stay with 4-H host families for a week in July 2017.  This was the seventh interstate exchange trip for Simpson County 4-H.  Over the years our 4-H families have also hosted & traveled to Wisconsin, Montana, Minnesota, New York, Kansas, and Wyoming.  Interstate exchange trips are the longest running teen leadership program in Simpson County, spanning over fifteen years.  Feedback from the vis

Full Story

Back to School Bash

Author: Christy Ramey

Major Program: Nurturing Families (general)

Due to the overwhelming response of the first Back to School Bash the Family Resource Center in Simpson County and other community partners requested that the Simpson County FCS Agent take the lead in planning a second annual event.  With the participation of five more organizations, businesses and churches serving on the committee, we were able to make the Bash bigger and better in 2017.  Increases from the previous year included: double the monetary donations ($4000), double the atte

Full Story

CSI Camp

Author: Catherine Webster

Major Program: Science, Engineering and Technology 4-H Core Curriculum

The Simpson County 4-H Agent partnered with the Simpson County Schools Community Education Director to host a Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Camp for 4th-6th grades during Spring Break. Eighteen youth participated in the two day camp that involved six community partners including the Simpson County Jail, Simpson County Sheriff's Department, Franklin Police Department, Simpson County Coroner's Office, Circuit Court Clerk, and Circuit Court Judge.  Camp activities included a police d

Full Story

A Walking Story Trail

Author: Christy Ramey

Major Program: Nurturing Families (general)

As and active member of the Allen, Logan and Simpson Early Childhood Council, this Family and consumer Sciences Agent has helped write grants that are designed to build strong families.  This most recent grant was designated to promote Kindergarten Readiness in the area of physical activity and nutrition.  This year Simpson County received $5000 to hold family friendly events that teach parents what children should know and accomplish before they enter kindergarten.  Given the str

Full Story

4-H Communications

Author: Catherine Webster

Major Program: Leadership 4-H Core Curriculum

According to a Chapman University study done in 2017, America’s biggest phobia is “public speaking”.  Providing youth with the ability to enhance and develop communication skills is of great importance in Kentucky 4-H.  The development of communications skills is one of the preeminent skills necessary to grow as an individual, a community member, and a leader.  If young people can learn to public speak at an early age through 4-H, one can only imagine the leaders

Full Story
Back to Plans for the County