Extension
It Starts With Us
Developing Responsible Youth and Families--2020
Youth & Families
Nanette Banks, Crystal Smith, Shad Baker
Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association
Financial Education - General
Community Engagement
Communications and Expressive Arts
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
