Developing Responsible Youth and Families--2020Plan of Work

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Letcher County CES

Title:
Developing Responsible Youth and Families--2020
MAP:
Youth & Families
Agents Involved:
Nanette Banks, Crystal Smith, Shad Baker
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Financial Education - General
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Community Engagement
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Communications and Expressive Arts
Situation:

According to the 2019 Census, Letcher County's population was 21,553 with the median household income of $29,886 (with Kentucky at $50,589). In 2019 unemployment in Letcher County was 7.8% (with Kentucky at 5.2%).   As many families in Letcher County live within broken homes, with 236 of every 1000 juveniles incarcerated, 236 of every 1000 youth in foster care, and 31% of Letcher County living at or below the poverty level (36% of youth live at or below the poverty level in Letcher County), the need for both youth and families to gain valuable life skills has never been greater.  How we live is ever-changing but learning basic life skills is still as important as ever. Learning to create and live within a budget is basic to everyday life. Reality is that today's youth and adults are busier than ever. These basic life skills are not consistently taught to youth at home or at school.   4-H is able to utilize in-school/after-school clubs and camp settings to engage and educate youth in these areas.  Additionally, the Family and Consumer Sciences program provides parents, guardians, caregivers, and young adults with parenting skills, life skills, financial education, and estate planning. The Agriculture & Natural Resources program provides parents and youth with life skills training in farming-related enterprises and marketing opportunities through Farmers Market programs.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Be responsible and contributing individuals and family members


Gain and maintain employment through life skill development


Contribute to a safe pleasant and productive home and family


Intermediate Outcomes:

Utilize and practice life skills in projects and life situations


Project a positive image and self-confidence


Practice responsible consumer and financial decision-making


Practice healthy eating choices


Make choices that lead to responsible and beneficial results


Adopt habits and skills that contribute toward employability in the future

Initial Outcomes:

Gain knowledge and develop skills in Family & Consumer Sciences projects and programs


Understand the decision-making process


Gain skills in setting a goal and developing a plan of action


Learn to read and follow instructions

Evaluation:

Outcome:  Participants will become more responsible through adult-youth mentorship

Indicator:  Lifestyle Changes and Decision Making

Method:  Observation

Timeline:  2021-2024




Outcome:  Participants demonstrate a desire to advance their living situations and future goals

Indicator:  More Positive Self-Esteem

Method: Surveys and Observation

Timeline: 2021-2024


Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Youth & Families


                       Project or Activity: Laugh & Learn Play Dates

                       Content or Curriculum: FCS Curriculum

                       Inputs: FCS & 4-H Agents and Assistants

                       Date: Monthly


                        Project or Activity:  STEM

                        Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum

                        Inputs: 4-H Agent and Assistant, ANR Agent 

                        Date: Monthly


Project or Activity:  Girls Positive Self-Esteem

                        Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum

                        Inputs: 4-H Agent and Assistant

                        Date: Fall 2021


Project or Activity:  Saving Savvy with grocery lists and coupon application

                        Content or Curriculum: KEHA Lessons

                        Inputs: Quicksand Area FCS Agents

                        Date: January 2022


Project or Activity:  Meal Kits: Are they worth it?

                        Content or Curriculum: KEHA Lessons

                        Inputs: Quicksand Area FCS Agents

                        Date: October 2021


Project or Activity:  Organization Basics

                        Content or Curriculum: KEHA Lessons

                        Inputs: Quicksand Area FCS Agents

                        Date: May 2022


Project or Activity:   Adult Wellness Program (KRCC Wellness, KRCC Solutions, East Kentucky Support Services, Letcher County Senior Citizens Center, ARC)

                        Content or Curriculum: FCS Curriculum, ANR Materials

                        Inputs: Extension Agents, KRCC Wellness, KRCC Solutions, East Kentucky Support                                Services, Addiction Recovery Center, Letcher Co. Senior Citizens

                        Date: Monthly


                        Project or Activity: Grandparents Raising Grandkids

                        Content or Curriculum: FCS Curriculum

                        Inputs: FCS Agent

                        Date: Spring 2022




Success Stories

Cooking Club

Author: Crystal Smith

Major Program: Family and Consumer Science

Cooking club has started back in -person with a bunch of eager youth. This program has created youth and adult partnerships,as well as a young   entrepreneur. Coly Amburgery is a 14 year old young man that since starting in the first cooking club and super star chief in Letcher County nine years ago when I became the 4-H agent. Colby has a passion for baking cakes, breads, and pies. In January Letcher COunty had the pleasure of Governor Andy Brashear's making a visit to Letcher County f

Full Story

The true meaning of 4-H

Author: Crystal Smith

Major Program: Leadership

The true meaning of 4-H was revealed to me at a time in my career when I needed it the most. There are times as a 4-h agent when we work theses extremely long days and nights that I wounder is what I am doing in Letcher County making a difference. This year I was given a very special letter that one of the Teen Members and Secretary for the teen club have written to say what a difference the 4-H program has made for her. Ava Burton was a senior and had applied for a scholarship. I was given a co

Full Story

S.M.A.R.T. Goal at Leadership Bootcamp

Author: Crystal Smith

Major Program: Leadership

The skills gained through the Kentucky 4-H leadership program prepare youth for the workforce, the leadership bootcamp has the same goal. Senior level 4-H’ers are invited to the Kentucky 4-H Leadership Bootcamp to learn about and practice skills they can immediately implement in their 4-H career and beyond. Letcher County had 1 youth member completed the experience in 2022. Allison had the opportunity to participate in exercises that empowered her to lead within the community at an at stat

Full Story
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