4-H Family and Consumer Sciences
Enhancing Life Skills and Fostering Youth & Family Development
Misty Wilmoth
Family and Consumer Science
As we progress in to the 21st century a number of factors have gained prevalence within Family and Consumer Science driven by the increase of online and mobile shopping, the rise of video based at home tutorials, and the shifting family structures as evident by 17% of stay-at-home parents being fathers. The ever changing landscape of the family and the consumer highlights the need for a responsive and innovative FCS program while also providing the basic needs that all families have as they navigate lives many challenges. Kentucky 4-H Seeks to meet these needs through working with youth and families in a variety of situations to increase their consumer awareness, financial management, nutrition, culinary arts, textiles, housing, and human development.
• Be responsible and contributing individuals and family members
• Gain and maintain employment through life skill development
• Contribute to a safe and healthy home and community.
- Utilize and practice life skills in projects and life situations
- Project a positive image and self-confidence
- Practice responsible consumer and financial decision-making
- Practice healthy eating choices
- Make choices that lead to responsible and beneficial results
- Adopt habits and skills that contribute toward employability in the future
- Gain knowledge and develop skills in Family & Consumer Sciences projects and programs
- Understand the decision-making process
- Gain skills in setting a goal and developing a plan of action
- Learn to read and follow instructions
- Outcome to be Evaluated
- Youth who engage in FCS project Work
- Indicator of Success for Outcome
- Youth complete a FCS Project
- Method of Evaluation
- 4-H Common Measures Universal Survey
Learning Opportunities/Programs
- 4-H Reality Store offered for all LCMS 8th graders focusing on budgeting.
- American Private Enterprise Program offered to top 25 high school juniors.
- Dollars and Sense program to be conducted with all LCMS 6th graders each spring.
- 4-H Family and Consumer Science Day Camp offered in the summer to help youth complete FCS related fair projects including a sewing project.
- Consumer & Financial Ed.
- Curriculum: 4-H Build a Million, Building a Healthy, Wealthy Future, Consumer Savvy, It’s Your reality , APES, Be the E
- Training: Agent In-services
- 4-H Family Life
- Curriculum: Babysitting Basics, Fathers Reading Every Day
- Training: Agent In-services
- 4-H Fashion
- Curriculum: Fashion Magic, Fashion Forward
- Training: Agent In-services
- 4-H Food Preparation & Nutrition
- Curriculum: Super Star Chef, Teen Cuisine, 4-H Cooking, Jump into Food and Fitness, Put it up, International Foods, Exploring MyPlate, Wellness in Kentucky, What’s on Your plate, Literacy, Eating, and Activity for Primary (LEAP)
- Training: Agent In-services
- 4-H Home Environment
- Curriculum: Manners in the real world, Exploring your home, Living with others, where I live, in my home, Home energy detective
- Training: Agent In-services
- 4-H Needlework
- Curriculum: 4-H Needlework Notebook
- Training: Agent In-services
- 4-H Sewing & Textiles
- Curriculum: Style Engineers, Keeping 4-H in Stitches. Upcycle it, Steam Clothing,
- Training: Agent In-services
Author: Marla Stillwell
Major Program: Workforce Preparation - FCS
As a result of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Community Needs Assessment (2023), a priority for building and developing life skills among youth has been identified as a need in LaRue County. The cultivation of employee soft skills, life skills enhancement, and the facilitation of peer-to-peer and peer-mentor relationships emerge as paramount objectives for the community. In an effort to integrate instruction on employee soft skills, encompassing etiquette refinement and being abl