4-H Youth DevelopmentPlan of Work

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Edmonson County CES

Title:
4-H Youth Development
MAP:
4-H Youth Development
Agents Involved:
David Embrey
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Camping
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Natural Resources
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Family and Consumer Science
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Agriculture
Situation:

4-H Youth Development is part of Kentucky Cooperative Extension. Extension’s mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of Kentucky citizens through non-formal education for the entire family. Extension agents and volunteers take the results of university research and explain it in such a way that different age groups can learn and apply the information to their own lives. 4-H is a youth organization committed to building outstanding leaders with marketable skills to succeed in today’s global society. 4-H empowers youth to reach their full potential, working and learning in partnership with caring adults. According to 2014 population data from Kentucky Youth Advocates there are 1774 youth living in households in Edmonson County in the recommended 4-H age range. Edmonson County lacks youth organizations and facilities that surrounding counties have. According to After School Alliance there are approximately 20 to 25 hours per week that children are out of school while most parents are at work, creating an “after-school gap.” In return Self-care and boredom can increase the likelihood that a young person will experiment with drugs and alcohol by as much as 50 percent. Youth tend to develop patterns of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use - or nonuse – from ages 12 to 15. Research also shows us developing a strong sense of personal identity, responsibility, caring, compassion, and tolerance are essential first steps toward being engaged at the community level (National 4-H Council, 2014).

Long-Term Outcomes:

LONG-TERM OUTCOMES: 

Youth will contribute to self, family, community and to the institutions of our society. 

Youth will have reduced risky behavior in the future. 

4-H alumni will participate and 4-H leader and volunteers in Edmonson County. 

4-H youth will successfully enter the workplace and/or institution of higher learning. 

Youth utilize the skills gained through education and involvement in Extension programs to serve as leaders in 4-H and other organizations. 

Gain and maintain employment through life skill development. 

Intermediate Outcomes:

INTERMEDIATE OUTCOMES: 

Youth will use scientific decision making techniques to make decisions on a daily basis. 

Youth will express themselves to others in group settings and on an individual bases. 

Youth apply the skills learned in 4-H in other activities at home, school and in the community. 

Youth set and achieve goals through a 4-H program. 

Youth construct a speech that has a clear introduction, body and closing. 

Practice healthy eating choices 


Initial Outcomes:

INITIAL OUTCOMES: 

Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the decision making process 

Youth learn skills need to communicate with others. 

Youth learn and develop life skills through 4-H. 

Youth learn steps in goal setting and developing a plan of action. 

Youth write an outline, including an introduction, body and conclusion for their speech or demonstration. 

Youth understand risky behaviors and their consequences. 

Evaluation:

EVALUATION: 

Initial Outcome: Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the decision making process, learn skills need to communicate with others,learn and develop life skills through 4-H, learn steps in goal setting and developing a plan of action,write an outline, including an introduction, body and conclusion for their speech or demonstration,and understand risky behaviors and their consequences. 

Indicator: Youth demonstrate an understanding of problem solving, goal setting, and communication skills. 

Method: Written and verbal evaluations after the program. 

Timeline: Up to 6 months after the educational program. 



Intermediate Outcome:  Youth will use scientific decision making techniques to make decisions on a daily basis, will express themselves to others in group settings and on an individual bases, apply the skills learned in 4-H in other activities at home, school and in the community, set and achieve goals through a 4-H program, construct a speech that has a clear introduction, body and closing, and practice healthy eating choices. 

Indicator: Youth apply skills gained in 4-H in other activities at home, school and in the community, achieve goals they have set, and improve their eating habits by making at least one healthy choice a day. 

Method: Written and verbal evaluations 

Timeline: 6 months -5 years. 


Long-term Outcome: Youth will contribute to self, family, community and to the institutions of our society,will have reduced risky behavior, 4-H alumni will participate and 4-H leader and volunteers in Edmonson County, and 4-H youth will successfully enter the workplace and/or institution of higher learning. 

Indicator: The number of youth and young adults serving in community volunteer roles will increase, reported negative youth behavior issues in the school will decrease, 4-H alumni will start new 4-H Clubs or volunteer,and successfully hold employment or attend college/higher education. 

Method: Written and verbal evaluations, school surveys. 

Timeline: 6 years+ 

Learning Opportunities:

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES: 

Audience: 4-H Youth 

Project or Activity: 4-H Summer Camp 

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Summer Camp 

Inputs: Agents, Camp Staff, UK Cooperative Extension, 4-H Volunteers 

Date: Summer 2022


Audience: 4-H Youth 

Project or Activity: Horse Club 

Content or Curriculum: Horse Leader Curriculum, Horse Achievement Level 1,2,3,4 

Inputs: Certified Horse Leaders, Agents, UK Publications 

Date: Monthly 


Audience: 4-H Youth 

Project or Activity: Speech & Communications Contest 

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Speech & Communications Publications 

Inputs: Agents, 4-H Volunteers, UK Publications 

Date: Spring 2022


Audience: Edmonson County Middle School 

Project or Activity: Reality Store 

Content or Curriculum: Reality Store 

Inputs: Agents, Family Resource Center, Youth Service Center, Community Volunteers 

Date: Spring 2022


Audience: Edmonson County Middle School 

Project or Activity: S.T.O.P 

Content or Curriculum: S.T.O.P Curriculum (Truth & Consequences) 

Inputs: Agents, Family Resource Center, Youth Service Center, Community Volunteers 

Date: Spring 2022









Success Stories

Kentucky 4-H Passport Kitchen Program

Author: David Embrey

Major Program: Family and Consumer Science

Kentucky 4-H Passport Kitchen Program

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Author: David Embrey

Major Program: Camping

A longitudinal study of 4-H by Tufts University revealed young people involved in 4-H programs have a consistently higher level of positive youth development, contributions to their community, and increased life skills. “The results of this longitudinal study continually reinforce the idea that when youth participate in programs such as 4-H, they thrive in numerous ways including health, positive development, and community contribution,” said Dr. Richard Lerner. “The comparison

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Author: Bridgett Poteet

Major Program: Natural Resources

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2023 Teen Conference

Author: Bridgett Poteet

Major Program: Leadership

The 99th Annual Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference was held at the University of Kentucky June 13-16, 2023. The objectives of Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference are: develop leadership and teamwork skills, improve communication skills, foster civic engagement, expand knowledge and skills related to 4-H core content areas, gain club, county and state 4-H program skills, have fun, create a sense of belonging, expand social skills through networking, develop youth-adult partnerships, and become acquainted with

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2023 State Communications Day

Author: Bridgett Poteet

Major Program: Communications and Expressive Arts

Providing youth with the ability to enhance and develop communication skills is of great importance in Kentucky. The development of communications skills is one of the preeminent skills necessary to grow as an individual, a community member and a leader. This in turn creates a solid foundation for positive youth development (Jones, K. R. 2006)This year 181 youth participated in State Communications Day. These youth have gained knowledge in public speaking through county and area grouping contest

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