Extension
It Starts With Us
Attaining Skills For a Productive Adulthood
21st Century Skills
4-H, FCS, ANR
Workforce Preparation – 4-H Youth Development
Leadership
Camping
Civic Engagement
In the fall of 2018, the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service began a statewide assessment of community issues and priorities from across the Commonwealth. County Extension offices led the effort by collecting feedback from various county residents, stakeholders, and organizations. Each county collected feedback through surveys, focus groups, and interviews with community stakeholders. The goal of this project was to gain a better understanding of the needs and priorities facing communities in Kentucky. Gathering information from each county allowed both a broad view of state community issues and an opportunity to detail and address issues specific to counties.
One of the most frequently mentioned priorities discussed by participants in the focus group related to the quality of infrastructure within Martin County. Participants spoke of concerns surrounding water quality and the costs associated with clean drinking water. Participants also discussed the importance of addressing substance abuse. It was recognized that drug abuse affects community services including policing, health response, incarceration, treatment facilities, employment opportunities, educational opportunities, and ability to pay taxes.
Participants identified barriers to addressing priority issues that include lack of funding, unwillingness to take responsibility, and the lack of a shared community vision. Participants also expressed frustration with the inability of government to address priority issues. When asked about resources that could support the county in addressing their priority issues, participants said money and grants, education, leadership, communication, and research are essential resources to address issues in Martin County. Also needed are affordable and quality transportation services, honest leadership, and drug prevention programs at the school level.
Although we cannot bring an abrupt end to our issues with clean drinking water or substance abuse, The Martin County Extension Service can help to address these issues through education, leadership and University of Kentucky based research. Martin County 4-H will strive to foster an environment to produce engaged citizens and leaders of Martin County by providing leadership education and opportunities for civic engagement.
·Communities are equipped with competent, effective leaders
·Community members engage others to initiate projects
·Civic engagement is possible and desirable for community members
·Communities become more prosperous
·The prevention and/or reduction of substance use and its related consequences.
·Changed public perception of substance use via stigma reduction.
·Youth put skills into practice by becoming more engaged, taking on leadership roles
·Youth improve skills in communication or problem solving in addressing community issues and needs
·Youth participants become more engaged in non-formal leadership roles which increases involvement/action
·Youth participants initiate projects that meet the needs of their community
·Youth are inclusive of all individuals
·Youth will volunteer and participate in community service
·Youth will engage in civic involvement
·Youth will maintain future intentions for civic engagement
·Reduced stigma from local community members
·Increased Opioid Stewardship (less prescribing by doctors, appropriate Rx disposal, drug takebacks, etc.)
·Delayed age of first use among Kentucky youth
·Youth increase knowledge of effective leadership skills
·Youth develop/enhance leadership skills
·Youth are informed of community systems, are better connected to communication networks, are more confident and skills in identifying and implementing strategies for change in their community (local/state/national/global)
·Increased knowledge of substance use prevention, addiction, and recovery (or related subject matter)
·Increased ability to use destigmatized language
·Improved social skills and/or self-efficacy in KY youth
·Initial Outcome
·Indicator:
Number of youth who served as direct mentors to one or more younger youth? (SEEC)
Number of youth who indicated “yes or usually” to the Common Measures Experience Survey Question #6 “Is 4-H A place where you get to figure out things for yourself?” (SEEC)
Number of youth who indicated “yes or usually” to the Common Measures Experience Survey Question #13 “Is 4-H a place where you have a chance to be a leader?” (SEEC)
Number of youth who indicated “yes or usually” to the Common Measures Experience Survey Question #6 “Is 4-H A place where you get to figure out things for yourself?” (SEEC)
Number of youth who indicated “yes or usually” to the Common Measures Experience Survey Question #13 “Is 4-H a place where you have a chance to be a leader?” (SEEC)
Number of 4-H members or participants who sit on local, regional, or state boards for civic organizations? (SEEC)
Number of youth who designed and completed an educational program based on civic need (community service project)? (SEEC)
Number of youth who indicated “yes or usually” to the Common Measures Experience Survey Question #6 “Is 4-H A place where you get to figure out things for yourself?” (SEEC)
Number of youth who indicated “yes or usually” to the Common Measures Experience Survey Question #13 “Is 4-H a place where you have a chance to be a leader?” (SEEC)
Method: 4-H Common Measures Experience Survey
Timeline: 2024-2026
·Intermediate Outcome:
Indicator:
Number of youth who received education related to diversity and inclusivity? (KOSA)
Number of youth who participated in college and career educational programs? (KOSA)
Method: 4-H Common Measures Experience Survey
Timeline: 2024-2026
·Long-term Outcome:
Indicator:
Number of youth who served as group leaders or officers?(PRACTICE)
The number of youth who participated in overnight, 4-H summer camp(s)? (PRACTICE)
The number of youth who participated in day or overnight, 4-H environmental camps at your office, 4-H camp facility, or other location? (PRACTICE)
oThe number of youth who participated in day or overnight, 4-H non-environmental camps at your office, 4-H camp facility, or other location (i.e. project day camps, etc)? (PRACTICE)
oNumber of youth who completed resume or interview through 4-H programs (PRACTICE)
oNumber of youth who participated in Civic Education and Engagement educational programs? (PRACTICE)
Method: 4-H Common Measures Experience Survey
Timeline: 2024-2026
Audience: 8th-12th Grade
Project or Activity: 4-H Teen Club
Content or Curriculum: Unlocking Your Leadership Potential, Teambuilding with Teens, Mentor Guide 2: 6-12, Political Education and Awareness, 4-H Camp, 4-H Teen Conference, Drug Abuse Prevention Education
Inputs: Curriculum, Extension Professionals, Volunteers, Teachers, Resource Centers, Extension Funding, Donations, Martin County Schools, School System Facilities
Dates: September – July 2024-June 2026
Audience: 7th – 8th Grade
Project or Activity: Middle School Leadership Club
Content or Curriculum: Unlocking Your Leadership Potential, Mentor Guide 2: K-5, Robert’s Rules of Order, 4-H Camp Youth/Adult and Peer Mentoring, 4-H Camp, 4-H Issues Conference, 4-H Summit, Drug Abuse Prevention Education
Inputs:21st Century Grant, Curriculum, Extension Professionals, Volunteers, Teachers, Resource Centers, Extension Funding, Donations, Martin County Schools, School System Facilities
Dates: Sep - May 2024 – 2026
Audience: 4th – 6th Grade
Project or Activity: 4-H School Clubs
Content or Curriculum: Unlocking Your Leadership Potential, Mentor Guide 1: 6-12, Youth/Adult and Peer Mentoring, 4-H Camp, 4-H Drug Abuse Prevention Education
Inputs:21st Century Grant, Curriculum, Extension Professionals, Volunteers, Teachers, Resource Centers, Extension Funding, Donations, Martin County Schools, School System Facilities
Dates: September – May 2024 – 2026
Audience: Martin County Youth
Project or Activity: Prevention Program
Content or Curriculum: Botvin LifeSkills, Adolescent Brain Health
Inputs: Extension Professionals, Teachers Resource Centers, Extension Funding
Date: July – June 2024-2026
Audience: 5th-6th Grade
Project or Activity: Health Rocks (After School Club)
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Health Rocks
Inputs: 21st Century Grant, Extension Professionals, Elementary School Staff
Date: September – May 20224- 2026
Audience: Recovery Centers
Project or Activity: Financial Education
Content or Curriculum: Recovering Your Finances
Inputs: Extension Professionals, Extension Facilities, Community Stakeholders
Date: 2024 - 2026
Audience: 4th – 12th Grade
Project or Activity: 4-H Camp
Content or Curriculum: Various
Inputs: Curriculum, Extension Professionals, 4-H Camp Staff, Volunteers, 4-H Camping Facilities, Donors, 4-H Council Funds, Extension Funds
Date: Summer 2024-2026
Audience: High School
Project or Activity: 4-H Teen Conference
Content or Curriculum: Various
Inputs: Curriculum, Extension Professionals, University of Kentucky Campus, 4-H Camp Staff, Volunteers, Donors, 4-H Council Funds, Extension Funds
Date: June 2024-2026
Audience: Recovery Centers
Project or Activity: Horticulture Therapy
Content or Curriculum: Recovery Garden
Inputs: Extension Professionals, Extension Funding, Extension Facilities
Date: 2024-2026
