Extension
It Starts With Us
Strengthen Community, Leadership and Economic Development in Harlan County
Community and Leadership Development
Lora Davidson, Raymond Cox, Jeremy Williams
Trail Design
Community Engagement
Community Leadership Development
Economic Development
Citizens that have a sense of community are vital to having a positive outlook on community and leadership development. The Harlan County Cooperative Extension Service along with leaders identified a need to build and sustain community and leadership development. From 2010 to 2017, the estimated census shows that Harlan County's population has decreased by 8.8%. With this decline in population, there is a need for citizens, both adults and youth, to become more involved, better communicators, workers, and leaders for the well being of Harlan County.
Citizens, including leaders and volunteer, will become more involved in community and leadership development within community and Extension organizations to promote the growth of these organizations and to better serve the people of Harlan County.
Citizens will become more active and take on leadership roles, as well as, become more knowledgeable about the needs of their communities. Youth and adults will assume a greater role in community service and be able to communicate through school and community programs.
Citizens will want to become more involved in community organizations and projects. Extension programs and councils will gain new members and leaders. Youth and adults will connect their skills gained to leadership and community development opportunities. Citizens will strive to gain knowledge needed to incorporate life skills into everyday living. Citizens will take an active roll in local tourism and economic development.
Initial Outcome: Gain community and leadership development skills
Indicator: Citizens will gain knowledge and skills
Method: Observations, citizen reports, evaluations
Timeline: Throughout year
Intermediate Outcome: Skills learned are being used
Indicator: Participate in Extension or community events
Method: Personal observations, evaluations
Timeline: Throughout year
Long-term Outcome: Youth and adults will assume leadership roles
Indicator: Number of youth and adults participating in organizations and events taking on leadership roles
Method: Participation in events, surveys, observations
Timeline: Throughout year
Audience: Adults and youth
Project or Activity: Fine Arts Programs
Content or Curriculum: Appalachian and Coal Heritage, Homemakers Bazaars
Inputs: Staff, leaders, volunteers, community groups
Date: Throughout year
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Tourism and Economic Development
Content or Curriculum: Community Development, Leadership, Trail Development, Trail Town, Harlan County Safety Days, Community Strategic Plans
Inputs: Staff, volunteers, leaders
Date: Throughout year
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Harlan County Extension Homemakers
Content or Curriculum: UK Publications, Extension staff
Inputs: Staff, leaders, volunteers
Date: Throughout year
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Leadership Harlan County United
Content or Curriculum: Leadership development curriculum
Inputs: Staff, leaders, community organizations and businesses, Southeast KY Community and Technical College, Harlan County Board of Education, guest speakers
Date: Throughout year
Audience: 4th and 5th Grade Students
Project or Activity: Parliamentary Procedure - 4-H Club meetings
Content or Curriculum: Parliamentary Procedure publications
Inputs: Staff, teachers
Date: Throughout year
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Speeches, Demonstrations, Variety Show
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Publications
Inputs: Staff, volunteers, teachers, leaders
Date: Spring
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Community Service, ARH Board, Water District Board, Harlan 2020, Tri-Cities Trail Town, Harlan County Health Coalition
Content or Curriculum: Agendas and board of directors
Inputs: Staff, community groups
Date: Throughout year
Audience: Tri-County 4H Leadership Academy
Project or Activity: High School
Content or Curriculum: Staff, volunteers, community & business leaders
Inputs: Staff, volunteers
Date: Throughout year
Audience: Pre-teen - 12 grade
Project or Activity: Teen Programs (Conference, Summit, Clubs)
Content or Curriculum: 4H Teen curriculum, guest speakers
Inputs: Staff, volunteers
Date: Throughout year
Audience: Youth ages 9-13
Project or Activity: 4H Summer Camp
Content or Curriculum: Hands on projects, crafts
Inputs: Staff, volunteers, teens, camp staff
Date: Summer
Audience: Youth ages 7-11
Project or Activity: 4H Summer Day Camps
Content or Curriculum: 4H Curriculums and activities
Inputs: Staff, volunteers
Date: Summer
Audience: Adults and Youth
Project or Activity: Disaster Preparedness
Content or Curriculum: Publications, workshop, MyPI, CERT
Inputs: Staff, Emergency Management Director, Public Service
Date: Throughout year
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Support and Retention of Small Businesses
Content or Curriculum: Publications, Informational Meetings and Programs
Inputs: Staff, CEDIK, SBDC
Date: Throughout year
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Adulting 101
Content or Curriculum: Publications,
Inputs: Staff, volunteers
Date: Throughout year
Author: Jeremy Williams
Major Program: Community Engagement
In recent years, Harlan County has faced numerous natural disasters, such as flooding, snow storms and wildfires. These events also led to power and water outages and residents being evacuated from home or not being able to access their home. Education about preparedness is imperative. With September being National Preparedness Month, the Harlan County Extension Service teamed up with the Letcher County and Wise County Extension Offices to host six Disaster Preparedness i
