Extension
It Starts With Us
Youth and Adults Overcome Life Situations by Acquiring Life Skills
Youth Life Skill Development
Pat Hardesty, Kara Back, 4-HYD, FCS
Family and Consumer Science
Volunteer Development
Agriculture
Communications and Expressive Arts
SITUATION:
Researchers from Northwestern and Columbia Universities have found extensive findings "that substantiate significant associations between poverty and children's health, cognitive development, behavior problems, emotional well being and problems with school achievement."
In Taylor County 33.1% of children ages 0-17 are below poverty (Kentucky By the Numbers). It is important for the youth of our communities to develop life skills in order for them to overcome their life situations such as poverty.
Youth and adults need to develop essential life skills to become productive members of the community and effective as adults in society.
The 4-H Youth Development Program helps build the key characteristics of positive youth development, competence, confidence, character, connection and compassion.
LONG-TERM OUTCOMES:
Youth will acquire life skills needed to prepare them to address all aspects of their adult lives and to develop into adult roles in society enabling them to be productive members in our community.
INTERMEDIATE OUTCOMES:
Youth will implement problem solving and decision making skills in various aspects of their lives. Youth will learn how to effectively interact and cooperate with their peers and adults. Youth will teach other children skills learned.
INITIAL OUTCOMES:
Youth will learn basic public speaking skills to help reduce the fear of speaking in front of a group. Youth will compete in events and will be recognized for their accomplishments. Youth will attend day camps and project meetings and begin to learn new skills. Youth will increase awareness and knowledge of science. Youth and adults will identify and implement sound decision-making in relationships.
Long-Term Outcome: Youth will increase verbal and written communication skills
Indicator: Number of youth participating in communication events
Method: Post survey and score sheets
Timeline: November-July 2021, 2022
Intermediate Outcome: Youth will engage in decision making skills in all aspects of their daily lives
Indicator: Number of youth participating in judging events, day camps, and activities
Method: Pre and post surveys and awards
Timeline: July-June 2021, 2022
Initial Outcome: Increased Awareness of 4-H Program to Youth in Grades 1-3
Indicator: Number of cloverbud participants and number of participants attending 4-H 4 All
Method: Attendance Rosters, Parent and Agent Observations
Timeline: August-May 2021, 2022
Outcome: Youth and adults will gain and utilize new life skills
Indicator: Number of youth who gain and utilize new life skills
Method: Observation, Written Evaluations
Timeline: July-June 2021. 2022
Outcome: Increase Knowledge of Science, Engineering and Technology and number of youth who participate
Indicator: Number of youth who gain and utilize Science, Engineering and Technology skills
Method: Observation, Written Evaluations
Timeline: July-June 2021, 2022
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES:
Audience: Youth ages 9-18
Project or Activity: Demonstrations and Talk Meet
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H Speak Up and Would You Like to Do a 4-H Project Demonstration? Project Books
Inputs: Teachers, School Officials, Parents, Community Members
Date: November-July 2021, 2022
Audience: 4-H and FFA youth ages 9-15
Project or Activity: Heifer Chain
Content or Curriculum: KLVCR Program Materials
Inputs: Taylor County Cattlemen, Parents, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Agents
Date: July-June 2021, 2022
Audience: Youth ages 9-18
Project or Activity: Livestock, Dairy, and Equine Educational Meetings and Activities
Content or Curriculum: KLVCR Materials
Inputs: Certified Volunteer Leaders, Cattlemen, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Parents
Date: July-June 2021, 2022
Audience: Youth ages 9-18
Project or Activity: Monthly School Club Meetings
Content or Curriculum: Various topics from the 7 core curriculumn areas
Inputs: Teachers, School Officials
Date: August-May 2021, 2022
Audience: Youth ages 5-8
Project or Activity: Cloverbud Monthly Meetings and Day Camp
Content or Curriculum: The Ohio State Cloverbud Curriculum
Inputs: Youth Leaders, Parents, Community Members
Date: July-May 2021, 2022
Audience: Youth ages 9-18
Project or Activity: 4-H After School Programs
Content or Curriculum: Fantastic Food Series, Acres of Adventure, Awesome After School Kits
Inputs: School Officials
Date: September-April 2021, 2022
Audience: Youth ages 9-18
Project or Activity: Project Workshops
Content or Curriculum: Various Project Books and State Fair Requirements
Inputs: Volunteer Adult and Youth Leaders
Date: May 2021 and throughout the year
Audience: Youth ages 9-14
Project or Activity: 4-H Camp
Content or Curriculum: State Curriculum
Inputs: Volunteer Adult and Teen Leaders, Parents, Community Members
Date: January-July 2022
Audience: Youth ages 9-18
Project or Activity: Shooting Sports/Y-HEC
Content or Curriculum: State Shooting Sports Curriculum
Inputs: Volunteer Adult and Youth Leaders, Parents
Date: January-October 2021, 2022
Audience: Youth ages 9-15
Project or Activity: Day Camps
Content or Curriculum: Various depending on Day Camp offered using 4-H Core Curriculum
Inputs: Parents, Teen Volunteers
Date: July, Fall Break and Spring Break 2021, 2022
Audience: Youth ages 9-18
Project or Activity: Babysitting Clinic
Content or Curriculum: KY 4-H Babysitting Curriculum
Inputs: Teachers, Community Leaders
Date: Fall 2021
Audience: Youth ages 9-18
Project or Activity: Sewing Classes, Fashion Revue and Sewing Day Camp
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Sewing Curriculum
Inputs: Certified Master Clothing Volunteers, Homemakers, Parents
Date: July and February-May 2021, 2022
Author: Kimberly Thomas
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
During the COVID-19 global pandemic and with the absence of a 4-H Agent, the Cloverbud program quickly dwindled over the last couple years in Taylor County. The 4-H Cloverbud program allows children between the ages of 5-8 years old an opportunity to participate in a noncompetitive, educational setting and with age-appropriate activities.In January 2022 the Cloverbud program started back in Taylor County with monthly meetings. At its initial comeback meeting, fifteen Cloverbud and parents learne
Author: Kimberly Thomas
Major Program: Agriculture
Homeschooling is growing in popularity with students and families in Kentucky and in Taylor County. According to the 2018 report Homeschooling In Kentucky, from the Office of Education Accountability, 4.5 percent of Taylor County’s youth are in a home school program. This percent exceeds the state percentage of 3.6%, as well as the national percentage of 3.3%. And due to the Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Pandemic, homeschool numbers are continuing to rise. Taylor County homeschool stude
Author: Kimberly Thomas
Major Program: Science, Engineering, and Technology
30 youth in two classes created two, homemade, ooey gooey slimes with Taylor County 4-H. Youth learned about the different ingredients and their purposing in the slime making process. They learn to measure, mix, and knead their creations. This activity focused on fine and gross motor skill development, sensory learning, and communication skills for the participants. Our youth participants came from all three school systems in the county and one fourth of the participants and their guardians
