Improve Individual and Family Development Plan of Work

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Johnson County CES

Title:
Improve Individual and Family Development
MAP:
Community and Economic Development
Agents Involved:
Stewart
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Family Development General
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Child Development General
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Family and Consumer Science
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Health & Wellbeing
Situation:

“School-readiness” is a broad term that refers to multiple precursor cognitive, physical, and social-emotional skills that indicate young children are prepared to learn and thrive in the school environment. A wide body of research shows a strong foundation in school readiness is indicative of school success. Emerging research also indicates that there is a synergistic effect when early learning activities activate physical and cognitive skills simultaneously, as opposed to doing so in isolation. However, in the state of Kentucky only 50% of children are deemed “school-ready” when they enter Kindergarten.  These numbers indicate a need for more activities that support school-readiness by building multiple skillsets simultaneously.

96,000 children in Kentucky live in kinship care. Kentucky ranks first in the nation for the most children in kinship care settings in the country.  15,000 children are in kinship care due to removal from their home.   Kinship care providers need support.

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.

Homemaking skills cover a vast array of skill sets, from sewing, to budgeting, teaching children or grandchildren, crafting, quilting, painting…these life skills are important in achieving quality of life for individuals ranging from 0 to 110. Sharing these skills with others is often how they are passed from generation to generation. Leadership skills are often the conduit to which knowledge is exchanged. 

Long-Term Outcomes:

Increase the number of children who are “kindergarten ready” in the state of Kentucky.

Improve academic success for children in Kentucky 

Better family money management skills, such as reducing debt, increasing savings, and financial planning.

Improved financial capability for Kentuckians, results in a better quality of life and stronger families.

Intermediate Outcomes:
Initial Outcomes:

Kentuckians understand the importance of developmentally appropriate play to their child’s academic success

Evaluation:

Outcome:  Kentuckians learn fun age-appropriate activities to aid in their child’s healthy development.

Indicator:  Number of parents who expressed learning new activities to engage their children at home.

Method:  Parent Survey

Timeline:  January - December


Outcome: Increase child and parent social-emotional skills such as heightened self-awareness, responsible decision making, and self-management.

Indicator: How many children increased their ability to express emotion after attending the program?

Method:  childcare programs surveys

Timeline: July - June


Outcome: Increase number of children who are “kindergarten ready” in Johnson county. 

Indicator: Several – (i.e. How many parents reported improved gross motor skills, social-emotional skills, and early literacy skills?) 

Method:  Kentucky Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Kindergarten Readiness Results

Timeline:  July- June


Outcome: Increase skills and resources of caregivers to provide effective care for young relatives

Indicator: Several – (i.e. How many caregivers improve skills/knowledge in child development, discipline and guidance, legal issues, and advocacy)

Method: Parenting a Second Time Around (PASTA) Evaluation 

Timeline:  Post program evaluation


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

Learning Opportunities:

Project or Activity:  Various Community Sites (ie FCS classroom outreach, daycares)

Content or Curriculum: Laugh and Learn Play Dates

Inputs: FCS Agent, Local Preschool, FCS Council, ELEVATE, Public School FCS Teachers

Date: On-Going


Audience: Adults, young adults, and teens

Project or Activity: Financial Life Skills

Content or Curriculum: Money Habitudes, MoneyWi$e, PROFIT

Inputs: FCS Agent, curriculum publications and resources, Money Habitudes cards, Family Resource Center Directors, Drug Court, KCTCS Adult Ed 

Date: as requested


Audience: Grandparents as Parents, Kinship Parent / Guardian Population

Project or Activity: PASTA

Inputs: FCS Agent, FRYSC Directors, ELEVATE Council

Date: As Requested



Success Stories

Will-Writing Clinic Provides Free Legal Services

Author: Brian Jeffiers

Major Program: Financial Education - General

Roughly 68% of the population currently does not have a will to document their wishes for the disposition of their estate upon their death. Without a will, the time and expense of settling the estate becomes much more burdensome to heirs. This effect is amplified if real property remains titled to "the heirs of" the decedent without going through a physical partitioning and titling to the heirs by name. Using funds through an heirs' property grant through Kentucky State Univer

Full Story

Understanding Suicide - KEHA Leader Lesson

Author: Macey Stewart

Major Program: Mental Health and Well-being - FCS

Suicide is a public concern and one of the most preventable causes of death. Every eleven minutes someone dies by suicide in the U.S., however, in Kentucky people die by suicide more frequently. In the U.S. and Kentucky, males die by suicide more often than females while individuals between 10 and 34 years old are at the highest risk for suicide. There are many risks for suicide including age, sex, stress, job hazards and health conditions, but it is important to note suicide can affect any

Full Story

Creating and Maintaining Family Traditions

Author: Macey Stewart

Major Program: Family Development General

This program was an effort to share information about the importance of maintaining family traditions during holiday gatherings, while maintaining a budget, to families expecting children or with children younger than 90 days. This was a collaboration with the Johnson County Health Department, serving all of Johnson County residents. Although this is a program offered to everyone in the community, the socioeconomic status of the clientele represented during this event was very low; additionally,

Full Story
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