Extension
It Starts With Us
Financial Security, Home Management, and Workforce Preparation
Developing Life Skills
Flowers, Hogancamp,
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Communications
Financial Education - General
How we live life is ever-changing but learning basic life skills is still as important as ever. Learning to practice healthy habits, select clothing to emphasize one’s best appearance, create and live within a budget, prepare nutritious meals safely, nurture children, create a safe and pleasant home environment, practice common courtesies, and form relationships with others—all of these skills are basic to everyday life. Many schools no longer include family and consumer sciences classes in the curriculum. Reality is that today’s youth and adults are busier than ever. Many of these basic life skills are not consistently taught to youth at home or at school.
Carlisle County Extension advisory councils identified life skills as an important priority for county programming. In 2012, the unemployment rate in Carlisle County was 7.4%. Carlisle County had 815 jobs in 2002, 872 jobs in 2012, and is projected to have 1,171 jobs in 2024. Recently names a Work Ready community, Carlisle County needs people with life and communication skills to fill these roles. These job opportunities offer new and exciting opportunities for Carlisle County residents, 82% of whom are out-commuters currently traveling outside the county for employment. These statistics were derived from CEDIK county profiles.
- Families and youth will maximize or extend resources to maintain or increase financial stability.
- Adults and youth will report improved family financial stability and economic well-being.
- Adults and youth will improve the quality of their life resulting in a stronger family.
- Youth and adults will be responsible and contributing individuals and family members.
- Youth and adults will gain and maintain employment through life skill development.
- Youth and adults will contribute to a safe, pleasant and productive home and family.
- Adults and youth will adopt one or more short, mid and long term financial planning strategies.
- Adults and youth will practice one or more resource management behavior(s) resulting in increased savings or investments.
- Adults and youth will apply practical living skills to advance education or employability.
- Adults and youth will examine personal and financial stability on a regular basis.
- Youth and adults will utilize and practice life skills in projects and life situations.
- Youth and adults will project a positive image and self-confidence.
- Youth and adults will practice responsible consumer and financial decision-making.
- Youth and adults will practice healthy eating choices.
- Youth and adults will make choices that lead to responsible and beneficial results.
- Youth and adults will adopt habits and skills that contribute toward employability in the future.
- Youth and adults will show increased knowledge and skills related to managing available financial and non-financial resources.
- Teens and young adults will recognize importance of education and employability skills.
- Participants will identify short, medium and long term personal goals and objectives related to maintaining and improving their financial stability.
- Youth and adults will gain knowledge and develop skills in Family & Consumer Sciences projects and programs.
- Youth and adults will understand the decision-making process.
- Youth and adults will gain skills in setting a goal and developing a plan of action.
- Youth will learn to read and follow instructions.
Initial Outcomes:
Indicator: Written or verbal acknowledgement of increased awareness and knowledge of life and communication skills
Method: Pre-/post-tests, observation
Timeline: After programming opportunities
Intermediate Outcomes:
Indicator: Change in behavior or practice related to increasing life and communication skills
Method: Pre-/post-tests, observation, participation, self-reporting, involvement in local programming, contest outcomes
Timeline: After programming opportunities
Long-term Outcomes:
Indicator: Long-term results stemming from changes in behavior or practice related to life and communication skills sustained over time.
Method: 4-H project participation, local statistics, community statistics about employment and employability
Timeline: 2021-2025
Audience: 7th grade youth
Project or Activity: Reality Store
Content or Curriculum: It's Your Reality
Date: Spring 2024
Audience: Youth aged 9-18 and adult volunteers
Project or Activity: 4-H Camp
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Youth Development Curriculum
Date: Summer 2023 and 2024
Audience: Low-income youth and families
Project or Activity: Angels on Earth classes
Content or Curriculum: SNAP-Ed and FCS information on nutrition and budgeting
Date: Fall 2024
Audience: Youth aged 9-18
Project or Activity: 4-H Special Programs
Content or Curriculum: Cooking 101, nutrition, Sew Much Fun
Date: Spring and Fall 2023-2024
Audience: Youth aged 9-18
Project or Activity: 4-H Communications Day,
Content or Curriculum: Communications, Sew Much Fun, performing arts
Date: Spring 2024
Audience: Youth aged 11-18
Project or Activity: 4-H Junior MasterChefs Club
Content or Curriculum: Super Star Chef
Date: 2023-2024
Audience: Youth aged 9-18
Project or Activity: 4-H Project Days
Content or Curriculum: Project Curriculums
Date: Summer 2024
Audience: High School Youth
Project or Activity: Positive Employability
Content or Curriculum: Positive Employability
Date: 2023-2024 school year
Inputs:
Agents
4-H volunteers
Camp counselors
Clover College instructors
Club and project leaders
4-H Council members
4-H committee members
4-H teen volunteers
Extension Homemakers
School teachers
UK specialists
Office computer lab
National Network for Child Care
Author: Daniel Bell
Major Program: Economic Development and Workforce Preparation – 4-H Youth Development
Carlisle County Cooperative Extension 4-H hosted “Reality Store” for Carlisle County 7th graders to increase knowledge and awareness of the importance of budgeting. Seventh graders are only 3-4 years away from earning their learners permit to drive. This age group was identified by Carlisle County schools’ staff as needing vital budgeting and life skills preparedness. Reality store is a program that provides hands on experience in practicing budgeting.
