Whitley County CES

Title:

Developing Human Capital and Opportunity

MAP:

Income and Workforce Development

Agents Involved:

FCS, Community Arts, 4H

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

First Impressions

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Economic Development

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Financial Education - General

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Advancing the Creative Economy

Situation:

In a recent Needs Assessment survey conducted by the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension, Whitley County expressed that our county needed more jobs with good paying wages. Citizens stated that their "Vision for a More Vibrant Community" included a "resource rich community to support jobs, money, public transportation and roads." There are currently 15,949 jobs in Whitley County and the average weekly wage is $754 for a two person household. The minimum wage for KY is $7.25 though the living wage is $14.63 for a one person household. 

According to University of Kentucky’s CEDIK County profiles for Small Business, Whitley County’s top small business industries are in retail trade and healthcare and social assistance. With providing opportunities that provide local support for entrepreneurship, growing “soft skills” and interviewing strategies, and helping producers become successful, Cooperative Extension can be involved with promoting wide opportunities for local crafters, artisans, producers, and families. 

Long-Term Outcomes:

• More effective employees and community leaders. 
• Improved financial capability for Kentuckians, results in better quality of life and stronger families. 
• Policy changes to support economic development 
• Diversified economy that sustains healthy community 
  
  

Intermediate Outcomes:

• Practice better employee “soft/essential skills” such as communication, networking, teamwork, time management, problem-solving, etc. 
• Improve employability through practical living skills and continued education practices. 
• Community is better informed, and leaders can identify policies that better support local economic development 
• Local policy makers encourage small business development 
• Businesses implement strategies identified through planning.

Initial Outcomes:

Practice better employee “soft/essential skills” such as communication, networking, teamwork, time management, problem-solving, etc. 

Improve employability through practical living skills and continued education practices. 

Community is better informed, and leaders can identify policies that better support local economic development 

Local policy makers encourage small business development 

Businesses implement strategies identified through planning. 

Evaluation:

Outcome:  Improved communication 

Indicator:  Number of individuals who reported the intent to utilize etiquette practices to improve verbal, written, and electronic communication practices (Communicating Effectively) 

Indicator:  Number of individuals reporting increased levels of understanding in the area: demonstrate strong verbal and nonverbal communications (Conveying Your Message) 

Method:  Pre/Post Evaluation 

Timeline:  After program

  

Outcome:  Improved workplace listening skills 

Indicator:  Number of individuals reporting increased levels of understanding in the area: how to utilize listening cues (nonverbal, quaisverbal, and verbal) in conversation (Listening and Inquiry) 

Method:  Pre/Post Evaluation 

Timeline:  After program 

    

Outcome:  Networking Skills 

Indicator:  Number of individuals reporting increased levels of confidence in the area: participate in a productive business conversation (Networking for Success) 

Method:  Pre/Post Evaluation 

Timeline:  After program 

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Adults and young adults 

Project or Activity: Networking for Success 

Content or Curriculum: Positive Employability 

Inputs: FCS Agent, curriculum publications and resources, local employers and community leaders 

Date: Spring 2024

 
Audience: Adults, young adults, and teens 

Project or Activity: Money Habitudes Workshop 

Content or Curriculum: Money Habitudes 

Inputs: FCS Agent, curriculum publications and resources, Money Habitudes cards 

Date: Spring 2024

 
Audience: Adults 

Project or Activity: Estate Planning Workshop 

Content or Curriculum: Estate Planning Publications

Inputs: FCS Agent, FCS Specialist (family finance and resource management), curriculum publications and resources, and local partners such as an attorney, CPA and/or financial planner 

Date: Winter 2023

 
Audience: Adults 

Project or Activity: Financial Education 

Content or Curriculum: Real Skills for Everyday Life, MoneyWi$e newsletter and social media

Inputs: FCS Agent, UK Specialist

Date: September 2023

 
Audience: Farmer's Market vendors 

Project or Activity: Homebased Microprocessing 

Content or Curriculum: Homebased Microprocessing and renewal courses provided by UK 

Inputs: Horticulture and FCS agents. Online videos, UK specialist

Date: Spring 2023

Audience:  Commercial Horticulture producers  

Project or Activity:  regular farm visits 

Content or Curriculum:  UK pubs 

Inputs:  specialists and agents. 

Date:  Ongoing. 

 

Audience: General Public 

Project or Activity: Enhancing Business and Marketing Skills of Eastern Kentucky Artist 

Content or Curriculum: Artisan Education Curriculum, STLW, Kentucky Highlands, CEDIK, Berea College Partners for Education 

Inputs: Community Arts Local Artist 

Date: Winter 2024