Educating, & empowering individuals & families to make responsible choices & develop lifeskillsPlan of Work

Back to Plans for the County

Jefferson County CES

Title:
Educating, & empowering individuals & families to make responsible choices & develop lifeskills
MAP:
Developing life skills
Agents Involved:
C. Durr, C. Hall, V. Holland, A. Holt, S. Lewis, W. Long, B. Pratt, and K. Smith
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Conflict Resolution
Situation:
Developing life skills and making responsible, healthy choices can have a profound impact on family stability, individual well-being and community sustainability. Budgeting, interpersonal relationships, communication, family management and other skills are necessary for success.

The consequences of the Great Recession and the extended period of slow economic growth which followed, encouraged Kentuckians to become more aware of their financial situation. Kentucky consistently lags behind other areas of the United States in key household economic indicators, including: personal income, population living below the poverty line, unemployment, and revolving debt. These indicators, especially unemployment numbers became more exaggerated during the period of the Great Recession. However, at present economist are cautiously optimistic regarding future economic forecasts. It is important to acknowledge the impact of current economic conditions on family financial management. The goal of the Securing Financial Stability Initiative is to help Kentuckians understand and respond to changing economic conditions, while promoting healthy financial behaviors across the lifespan.

The development of life skills, like leadership, allows youth to cope with their environment by making responsible decisions, having a better understanding of their values, and being better able to communicate and get along with others. (Boyd, Herring & Briers, 1992, Journal of Extension). Almost 30 percent of youth in the United States (or over 5.7 million) are to be involved in bullying as a bully, a target of bullying or both. A troubling statistic that needs to be addressed.

Healthy couple and parenting relationships and resulting family stability benefit the well-being of adults and children. Furthermore, children who start kindergarten with delayed development and fewer assets are by far more likely to repeat grades, get tracked into lower-tier classes and drop out of high school than more advantaged children.
Long-Term Outcomes:
• Youth and adults will demonstrate the understanding of diversity, inclusivity, and multiculturalism in their daily life.

• Youth will use leadership and communications skills needed to be successful in the workplace on a daily basis.

• Create safe homes within environments that promote and support the physical and mental well-being of families throughout the life cycle.

• Youth will develop into competent, capable, contributing adults as important developmental assets are met through their participation in Extension programs.

• Youth and adults will be responsible and contributing individuals and family members, gain and maintain employment through life skill development and contribute to a safe, pleasant and productive home and family.

• Youth and adults will learn to manage personal finances, make wise financial decisions and understand long-term financial stability.

• Youth and adults make more informed consumer decisions that result in increased family economic stability.
Intermediate Outcomes:
• Youth and adults will reduce stress levels by building personal strengths, self-control, interpersonal communication, life skills including wise decision-making.

• Reported using preventive and positive discipline techniques in response to misbehavior, and setting and enforcing logical consequences.

• Practice skills to strengthen and sustain relationships.

• Increased adoption and mastery of healthy behaviors that lead to a healthy lifestyle that include making healthy lifestyle choices, not engaging in risky behavior and handling stress.

• Practice healthy lifestyle decision-making that strengthen individuals’ ability to cope with normal life stressors.
Initial Outcomes:
• Change in awareness, knowledge, opinions, skills, and attitudes needed to make informed choices regarding healthy aging.

• Commits to using logical consequences for misbehavior.

• Youth and adults will identify healthy lifestyle choices, risky behaviors and their consequences and healthy ways to handle stress.
Evaluation:
Initial Outcome: Youth and adults will identify healthy lifestyle choices, risky behaviors and their consequences and healthy ways to handle stress.
Indicator: Ability to identify healthy lifestyle choices
Method: Pre- and post-surveys
Timeline: Before and after program

Intermediate Outcome: Increased adoption and mastery of healthy behaviors that lead to a healthy lifestyle that include making healthy lifestyle choices, not engaging in risky behavior and handling stress.
Indicator: Youth and adults adopting and mastering healthy behaviors
Method: Pre- and post-surveys
Timeline: Before and after program and follow up

Long-term Outcome: Youth will develop into competent, capable, contributing adults as important developmental assets are met through their participation in Extension programs.
Indicator: Youth will display skills necessary to be competent, capable, contributing adults.
Method: Observation & interviews
Timeline: End of program
Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Adults

Project or Activity: Community Garden implementation; school garden

Content or Curriculum: Extension publications

Inputs: specialists; content curriculum

Date: July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022


Audience: Adults

Project or Activity: Community Gardens

Content or Curriculum: CES publications

Inputs: agents, garden space

Date: July 1, 2021– June 30, 2022


Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: In-school clubs

Content or Curriculum: Acres of Adventures, What’s on Your Plate,

Exploring Food Science, Step Up to Leadership,

Cooking, Keeping Fit & Healthy, Be SAFE:

Affirming and Fair Environments, STEPS to a

Healthy Teen, Welcome to 4-H: New Members

Guide

Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, outside

funding

Date: September 2021 – April 2022


Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: Reality Store

Content or Curriculum: Acres of Adventures, What’s on Your Plate,

Exploring Food Science, Step Up to Leadership,

Cooking, Keeping Fit & Healthy, Be SAFE:

Affirming and Fair Environments, STEPS to a

Healthy Teen, Welcome to 4-H: New Members

Guide

Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, outside

funding

Date: September 2021 – April 2022


Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: Dollars & Sense

Content or Curriculum: Acres of Adventures, What’s on Your Plate,

Exploring Food Science, Step Up to Leadership,

Cooking, Keeping Fit & Healthy, Be SAFE:

Affirming and Fair Environments, STEPS to a

Healthy Teen, Welcome to 4-H: New Members

Guide

Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, outside

funding

Date: September 2021 – April 2022


Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: Teen Summit

Content or Curriculum: Acres of Adventures, What’s on Your Plate,

Exploring Food Science, Step Up to Leadership,

Cooking, Keeping Fit & Healthy, Be SAFE:

Affirming and Fair Environments, STEPS to a

Healthy Teen, Welcome to 4-H: New Members Guide

Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, outside

funding

Date: September 2021 – April 2022


Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: Jr. MANRRS

Content or Curriculum: Acres of Adventures, What’s on Your Plate,

Exploring Food Science, Step Up to Leadership,

Cooking, Keeping Fit & Healthy, Be SAFE:

Affirming and Fair Environments, STEPS to a

Healthy Teen, Welcome to 4-H: New Members

Guide

Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, outside

funding

Date: September 2021 – April 2022


Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: SPIN Clubs

Content or Curriculum: Acres of Adventures, What’s on Your Plate,

Exploring Food Science, Step Up to Leadership,

Cooking, Keeping Fit & Healthy, Be SAFE:

Affirming and Fair Environments, STEPS to a

Healthy Teen, Welcome to 4-H: New Members Guide

Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, outside

funding

Date: September 2021 – April 2022


Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: 4-H Embryology

Content or Curriculum: Acres of Adventures, What’s on Your Plate,

Exploring Food Science, Step Up to Leadership,

Cooking, Keeping Fit & Healthy, Be SAFE:

Affirming and Fair Environments, STEPS to a

Healthy Teen, Welcome to 4-H: New Members Guide

Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, outside

funding

Date: September 2021 – April 2022


Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: Babysitting

Content or Curriculum: Acres of Adventures, What’s on Your Plate,

Exploring Food Science, Step Up to Leadership,

Cooking, Keeping Fit & Healthy, Be SAFE:

Affirming and Fair Environments, STEPS to a

Healthy Teen, Welcome to 4-H: New Members Guide

Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, outside

funding

Date: September 2021 – April 2022


Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: 4-H Camp

Content or Curriculum: Acres of Adventures, What’s on Your Plate,

Exploring Food Science, Step Up to Leadership,

Cooking, Keeping Fit & Healthy, Be SAFE:

Affirming and Fair Environments, STEPS to a

Healthy Teen, Welcome to 4-H: New Members

Guide

Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, outside

funding

Date: September 2021 – April 2022


Audience: Extension Homemakers

Project or Activity: Savvy Sellers and Bargain Hunters

Content or Curriculum: KEHA Curriculum

Inputs: Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association

(KEHA), Kentucky CES publications and resources

Date: September 2021 – May 2022



Audience: Extension Homemakers

Project or Activity: Creating and Maintaining Family Traditions

Content or Curriculum: KEHA Curriculum

Inputs: Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association

(KEHA), Kentucky CES publications and resources

Date: September 2021 – May 2022


Audience: Extension Homemakers and General Public

Project or Activity: Tackling Your Laundry

Content or Curriculum: KEHA Curriculum

Inputs: Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association

(KEHA), Kentucky CES publications and resources

Date: September 2021 – May 2022


Audience: General Public

Project or Activity: It’s Sew Fine Sewing Expo

Content or Curriculum: Kentucky CES publications and resources

Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES)

agents, program assistants, specialists and

volunteers.

Date: July 2021 – June 2022


Audience: General Public and Seniors

Project or Activity: Stand Up to Falling

Content or Curriculum: Stand Up to Falling

Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES)

agents, program assistants, specialists and

volunteers.

Date: July 2021 – June 2022


Audience: General Public

Project or Activity: Accepting and Loving Your Body

Content or Curriculum: Universe of Possibilities, Kentucky CES

publications and resources

Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES)

agents, program assistants, specialists and

volunteers.

Date: July 2021 – June 2022


Audience: General Public

Project or Activity: Personal Finance

Content or Curriculum: Real Skills for Everyday Life, Kentucky CES

publications and resources

Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES)

agents, program assistants, specialists and

volunteers.

Date: July 2021– June 2022


Audience: General Public

Project or Activity: Holiday Finances

Content or Curriculum: Stretching Your Holiday Spending, Kentucky CES

publications and resources

Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES)

agents, program assistants, specialists and

volunteers.

Date: July 2021 – June 2022



Success Stories

Reconnecting

Author: Patrice Thompson

Major Program: Science, Engineering, and Technology

 Over the past year, it has been difficult to engage stakeholders in virtual programming. Many stakeholders, unsure of what the next steps are for them, put external programming on pause due to these uncertainties. As a result, many of my programs were put to a halt towards the end of the 4-H year in 2020, as we all adjusted to various changes. At the beginning of this year, as the world began to open back up, I received emails from new and old stakeholders desiring to plan programming for

Full Story

Reducing the Risk of Identity Theft

Author: Valerie Holland

Major Program: Financial Education - General

Identity theft is the most reported type of fraud complaint that the Federal Trade Commission and other enforcement agencies receive. It comes in many forms, but basically it happens when someone steals your personal information to impersonate you for the thief’s gain. Identity theft can happen in-person or online. With identity theft occurring so frequently, it is important to take steps to reduce risk. To increase consumer knowledge on identity theft and fraud prevention, the Jeffer

Full Story

Teen Club Success with service-learning

Author: Kelly Smith

Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development

Opportunity to get involved in extracurricular activities allow young people to become productive members in their community.  The Jefferson County 4-H Agents, 4-H assistants and 4-H Teen club planned and implemented activities within the meetings held monthly.  Along with activities on Leadership, they also planned service-learning projects.  The Jefferson County 4-H Teen club planned a service day in December making dog treats and toys to be donated within the County to several

Full Story

Empowering Mujeres - Financial Education

Author: Jessica Marquez

Major Program: Community Engagement

Title: Grupo de Mujeres - Financial EducationIssues: What is the situation? Who cares and why?Individuals who identify as Hispanics generally experience lower financial knowledge than the overall U.S. adult population. 38% of Hispanic women are aware and knowledgable of financial education versus 54% of white women. Immigrants and individuals who are new to the country are even less likely to be knowledgable of how the U.S. financial system works at the most basic level. Eastern Area Ministries

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Cooking En Espanol

Author: Patrice Thompson

Major Program: Family and Consumer Science

From Fall 2021 until January 2022, Ms. Jeannine at Fairdale Elementary consulted with myself, FCS Agent Ms. Jenie Carter, SNAP Assistant, Ms. Emma Robinson, and CRD Ms. Jessica Marquez on how to reach Spanish speaking families and help them make better eating choices. During our meetings we discussed the needs of the families as it pertains to education on what we eat and how to eat. Ms. Jeannine made it clear that there were a high number of Spanish speaking families that needed to  be rea

Full Story

Jefferson County Culinary Challenge Teams

Author: Chanda Hall

Major Program: Family and Consumer Science

According to research involving kids in the kitchen, cooking can help build basic math and reading skills, encourage an adventurous palate, invite youth to explore their senses, and boost confidence (Garvin, 2021).   When kids are able to cook it helps to increase their self-confidence and lay the foundation for healthier eating habits.  In Jefferson County, there are limited occasions for inner-city youth to participate in hands-on cooking programs.  Improving cooking skills and

Full Story

Master Clothing Volunteer Success

Author: Kelly Smith

Major Program: Master Clothing Volunteer

Studies indicate that sewing is not only a productive hobby and life skill, it can reduce stress and increase an individual’s feeling of self-worth. The Jefferson County 4-H Agent served as the Cooperative Extension Service’s Louisville Area Master Clothing Volunteer (MCV) Assistant Contact Agent. The FCS and 4-H Agent coordinated the Louisville Area Master Clothing Volunteers (MCVs) statewide training attendance and assisted at the statewide MCV Training, organized a Louisville Area

Full Story
Back to Plans for the County