Enhance Life Skills and Build Consumer AwarenessPlan of Work

Back to Plans for the County

Todd County CES

Title:
Enhance Life Skills and Build Consumer Awareness
MAP:
Empowering Youth, Individuals and Families to Succeed
Agents Involved:
Lee Ann McCuiston, Jill Harris
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Communications and Expressive Arts
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Camping
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Financial Education - General
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Food Preparation and Preservation
Situation:

Promote positive personal finance behaviors prepares Kentuckians for any future economic shift. The United States has been in an extremely long period of economic expansion; however, expansions are cyclical, meaning growth is eventually followed by recession. Securing financial stability for Kentuckians will help families thrive no matter the economic outlook. Financial stability is achieved when families are able to secure and manage resources needed to supply food, clothing, and shelter. Through increased financial knowledge, families may be able to make wise financial decisions, increase buying power, avoid overextended credit, develop savings habits, and manage risks.

All youth, individuals and families in Todd County need to enhance their economic opportunities and quality of life by learning how to further obtain and use the resources at their disposal, including money, time, human capital, material resources and community services. The Todd County 4-H program currently focuses on the four basic needs of youth in every family situation encompassed in the research validated “Circle of Courage.” These four basic needs include: the spirit of belonging, the spirit of mastery, the spirit of independence, and the spirit of generosity. Furthermore, youth must develop life skills throughout their stages in development that include: personal development; communicating; working and relating with others; problem solving and decision making; acquiring, analyzing and using information; and managing resources. The Todd County 4-H program plans to develop these life skills in youth to fulfill the 4 basic needs of youth identified in the Circle of Courage.

A national study released by National 4-H Council in 2007 establishes the fact that the more time youth spend participating in youth development program such as 4-H, the more likely they are to experience positive youth development and contribute to their communities. Participation in after school or community 4-H programs is particularly important for low-income children. The Todd County 4-H program will build protective factors in a young person’s environment to promote resiliency and thriving behavior. The Extension Service can provide programming in areas that will enable youth to develop practical living skills that will help them make informed and effective decisions to improve their quality of life. In addition, the youth will have opportunities to develop these skills that will aid them in continuing education and gainful employment.

The development of communications skills is one of the preeminent life skills necessary to grow as an individual, a community member and a leader.  Using age appropriate activities selected from the approved Kentucky 4-H Communication & Expressive Arts Curriculum, educators can maximize the ability of youth to develop their writing, reading and personal communication capacities.  This in turn creates a solid foundation for positive youth development (Jones, K. R. 2006) Research also shows a positive association between arts participation and a number of desirable academic and social outcomes, such as school grades, test scores, enrollment in post-secondary education, attainment of a bachelor’s degree, and higher levels of literacy and civic engagement. (Child Trends, 2012) Kentucky 4-H provides communication and expressive arts by engaging youth in hands-on educational experiences that inspire confidence and foster a love for the arts.  Programs and projects are offered in the areas of public speaking, visual arts, and performing arts. 



Long-Term Outcomes:

4-H Youth and other youth involved in 4-H programming will:
--Improve their academic standing and job readiness skills that will lead to gainful employment.
--Increase practical living skills and make more effective decisions.

--Become more aware of disaster preparedness. 
 --Become a contributing member of society.                                                                                                                                                --Youth will utilize the skills gained to serve as leaders in 4-H and other organizations.                                                                             --Youth will share the elements of the music, dance, drama and visual arts with their community                                                              --Youth will be advocates for the arts


FCS

Intermediate Outcomes:

4-H Youth and other youth involved in 4-H programming will:
--Practice communication and team work skills among peers.
--Develop thoughts and present them orally and effectively to a group in the communications contest.
--Build strong decision making and oral communication skills in judging clinics and contests.
--Safely operate and maintain a camera, bicycle, firearm or other equipment with mastery
--Study more effectively.
--Gain confidence in front of a group.
--Balance a check book.
--Save money and decrease debt.
--Interview for a position and prepare a resume.
--Prepare a 4-H project such as foods, dog, clothing, wood, etc.
 --Communicate  positively with their parent(s)/family more frequently. 

---Practice disaster preparedness and prevention techniques in the event of a disaster. 


FCS

Initial Outcomes:

4-H Youth and other youth involved in 4-H programming will:
--Learn what educational opportunities away from home are available and how to attend.
--Acquire study skills and memorization techniques.
--Learn how to communicate effectively, make informed and effective decisions.
--Gain knowledge in clothing selection, design, and construction.
--Learn how to be responsible for oneself away from home (managing money and resources).
 --Learn how to exhibit self-confidence in front of a crowd.                                                                                                                          --Learn how to research a topic and present it to a group of peers, family, etc.                                                                                            --Learn life skills (cooking, sewing, budgeting, managing, and working, etc.).


FCS

Evaluation:

Outcomes to be evaluated

Youth plan and implement a communication and expressive arts project (speech, demonstration, drama, photography, etc.                        Indicator of Success for Outcome

The impact of summer 4-H camp in July will be determined by an end of camp survey developed by the camping evaluation committee. Initial outcomes will be determined such as: the acquisition of responsibility, independence, conflict resolution and the acquisition of other skills in campers while at camp.

The impact of the 4-H speech and demonstration contest will be determined by a classroom survey and a featured program, follow up survey in the spring assessing leadership and communication skills gained through the program.

FCS

Outcome:  Increased awareness of sound financial behaviors

Indicator(s):  Number of individuals who implemented at least one strategy to reduce expenses or manage money

Number of individuals who made a sound financial decision (regarding credit, budgeting, savings, and/or debt)

Method:  Retroactive pre-post

Timeline: Following financial education workshops

  

Outcome:  Increase knowledge and skills related to managing financial resources

Indicator: Number of individuals reporting increased levels of understanding in the area: confidence in handling money issues or specific financial matters

Method:  Retroactive pre-post 

Timeline:  Following financial education workshops


Outcome:  Increase knowledge and skills related to estate planning

Indicator: Number of individuals who took action toward implementing at least one estate planning strategy in regard to the subject matter presented

Method:  Retroactive pre-post 

Timeline:  Following financial education workshops

Learning Opportunities:

4-H Youth Development Agent and volunteer leaders will:
--Train all 4th and 5th grade students and community club members on proper public speaking during the January school club meetings.
--Train leaders to work with youth in livestock and horse judging, speeches, and demonstrations and other projects during monthly club meetings.
--Coordinate 4-H project club meetings and activities including horse, shooting sports, clothing, cooking, crafts, dog, etc., throughout the year.
--Provide a leader training opportunity for project club leaders in the fall.
--Provide opportunities for teens to attend teen retreats, council meetings, and other teen activities throughout the 4-H year.
--Coordinate the Reality Store for 8th grade students in May.
--Provide a week long summer 4-H camp for 9-14 year old 4-H members in July.
--Coordinate the 4-H Talk Meet program in the school clubs and county 4-H Clubs from January through April.
--Provide opportunities for youth to get involved in community service through the performing arts troupe program and other services.


FCS

Audience: Public

Project or Activity: Super Star Chef Baking Skills

Content or Curriculum: FCS        

Inputs: FCS Agents

Date: June 2023


Audience: Extension Homemakers

Project or Activity: Meals While Traveling

Content or Curriculum: FCS        

Inputs: FCS Agents

Date: April 2023


Audience: Adults, young adults, and teens

Project or Activity: Credit Education 

Content or Curriculum: Good Credit Game

Inputs: FCS Agent, curriculum publications and resources, Good Credit Game set

Date: 2023


Project or Activity: Financial Education

Content or Curriculum: Real Skills for Everyday Life

Inputs: FCS Agent, Youth Service Center Advisor

Date: April 2023


Audience: Extension Homemakers

Project or Activity: Planning a Butterfly and Pollinator Garden

Content or Curriculum: FCS        

Inputs: Ag & FCS Agents

Date: April 2022


Audience: Extension Homemakers

Project or Activity: 

Content or Curriculum: FCS        

Inputs: FCS Agents

Date: 



Success Stories

Home Food Preservation - Salsa Class

Author: Jill Harris

Major Program: Food Preparation and Preservation

People choose to can foods at home for many reasons: to preserve the harvest from their gardens or local farmers markets for year-round enjoyment; to gain more control over what is in their food by limiting or avoiding salt, sugar, or preservatives; to save money; to get better-tasting canned foods; to follow family traditions; or just for the sense of satisfaction that home canning provides. Home canning has changed over the last 200 years. Scientists have found ways to produce safer, higher qu

Full Story

Participants Increase Knowledge and Skills Related to Culinary Knife Skills

Author: Jill Harris

Major Program: Food Preparation and Preservation

The knife is an important basic tool used in the kitchen. It is also one of the most  frequently used tools in the kitchen.  To help people improve their knowledge and skills related to using knives, the Todd County Extension Agent for Family & Consumer Sciences taught a hands-on class about parts of a knife; types of knives, materials used to construct them, as well as the importance of using correct, consistent cutting techniques. Participants then practiced handling a knife safe

Full Story

Sustainable Kentucky – A Win for Our Health as well as the Environment

Author: Jill Harris

Major Program: Nutrition and Food Systems General

There are several reasons why people choose to purchase and eat the food they do. Typically, taste, cost, and availability are at the top. But one factor gaining momentum is taking care of the place our food comes from – the Earth and our agricultural practices through sustainable eating. Evidence suggests that shifting food-related behaviors and purchasing patterns over time may protect the Earth and simultaneously result in overall improved human health outcomes. To address this educatio

Full Story

Food and Finances in the Face of Disaster

Author: Jill Harris

Major Program: Financial Education - General

The most common types of disasters in Kentucky are caused by water, wind, ice, or fire. With Kentucky experiencing two major natural disasters recently, the tornado outbreak in Western Kentucky in December of 2021 and the flooding in Eastern Kentucky in July of 2022, disaster preparedness comes to mind.  The Todd County Extension Agent for Family & Consumer Sciences was contacted by a local church to teach a disaster education class for members of their congregation.   Twenty-

Full Story

Ready, Set, Bake--Pies, Biscuits, and Scones

Author: Jill Harris

Major Program: Food Preparation and Preservation

Baking is an art as well as a science.  It is precise as well as intuitive.  The ingredients that go into baking are simple—flour, leavening agents, liquid, salt, and others.  When combined, these ingredients form something wonderfully complex and delicious.   Recipes are often passed down through generations; but the skill is not.  Because of recent the pandemic, more people have turned to baking.  Because of the interest, the FCS Agents from Todd and Trigg c

Full Story

Sixth Graders Learn About Agriculture through 4-H Ag Day

Author: Lee Ann McCuiston

Major Program: Agriculture

There is nothing more gratifying than seeing the light of wonder and understanding in someone’s eyes when they learn where their chicken nuggets or chips and salsa come from.  The Todd County 4-H Office partnered with the Youth Service Center to help 6th graders at Todd County Middle School understand more about where their food comes from by hosting the 4-H Agriculture Awareness Day during National Ag Month.  Todd County is a rural community, but only 21% of the 6th graders actu

Full Story

4-H Summit Conference Helps Youth Step Up to Leadership

Author: Lee Ann McCuiston

Major Program: Leadership

According to research, middle school is a time where young people find their place in this world, they are exploring where their strengths and interests align (Fagell. P.L., 2019). Therefore, it is imperative to provide positive experiences where young people may explore the world in a safe environment. Historically, there is a decline in enrollment numbers throughout the middle school years in 4-H programming, Kentucky 4-H hosts the Kentucky 4-H Summit Leadership Conference for middle schoolers

Full Story

Youth Learn to Sew on a Button

Author: Lee Ann McCuiston

Major Program: Family and Consumer Science

Sewing on a button is a small five-minute fix if you know how to do it, but so many people in today's world haven't been taught the simple task. It just takes a needle, some thread and a little "Know-how" and  you can replace that button and get another year or two out of your favorite pants or shirt. Mend your clothes, and you’ll keep them out of the landfill and in your closet. Resist fast fashion and the culture of disposable everything, and you’ll save both

Full Story
Back to Plans for the County