LaRue County CES

County Emphasis:

Leadership and Life Skill Development

Concentration 1:

Building Leadership Capacity

Concentration 2:

Work and Life Skill Development

Situation:

Situation (situation statements can be found at the linked website)

4-H opportunities profoundly impact individuals and communities in Kentucky by equipping youth with essential skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving, fostering personal leadership, and community engagement. Skills like analytical thinking, creative thinking, resilience, flexibility, and adaptability are key to future employment (World Economic Forum, 2023). 77% of employers say that there should be less focus on traditional school subjects and more focus on real-world skills (Kauffman Foundation, 2021). In the 2023 University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service Needs Assessment youth life skill training opportunities (such as leadership and communication skill opportunities), strengthening youth workforce readiness, and strengthening youth-adult or mentorship relationships were top priorities across Kentucky. According to the National 4-H Annual Index Survey (2024), 95% of youth identified their strengths through 4-H, 80% explored career options, and 50% received guidance for college decisions. Additionally, 75% enjoyed helping their community, and 93% felt inspired by 4-H, with 42% being inspired “a lot” to volunteer. Kentucky household income statistics are concerning, with the median household income in Kentucky on a downward trend (i.e., approximately $55,100, which is 74% of the U.S. median income).  Most alarming, it is estimated that nearly 62% of Kentucky households do not generate sufficient income to meet living wage standards given the state’s average cost of living.  The Kentucky Center for Business and Economic Research (2024) projects that, “a key for Kentucky’s future economic growth is to identify and successfully implement programs that increase the employment-population ratio, particularly for working-age adults.” American’s future hinges on a prepared workforce and engaged communities collaborating to tackle society’s most pressing challenges. As of 2024, there are 2,465,949 job openings in Kentucky and nationwide there are 10 million unfilled jobs.  Fastest growing jobs are in the fields of vocational education and higher education teachers, agriculture professionals, and digitally enabled roles;     ecommerce specialists, digital transformation specialists, and digital marketing professionals (World Economic Forum, 2023).

 

 

County Situation

These experiences build leadership capacity, promote civic engagement, and create connected, resilient communities by encouraging critical thinking and empathy. Furthermore, 4-H offers life skill training, strengthens youth workforce readiness, fosters mentorship, maximizes youth voice in important issues, and enhances peer-peer relationships. The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) is committed to improving the work and life skill development of adults across the Commonwealth by offering programming designed to increase the human capital of constituents.  This includes providing education and training in topics such as workforce preparation, job readiness, financial literacy, soft skills, and professionalism, among others. To ensure a sustainable society, it is crucial that our youth are equipped to fill these positions.  The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension system Community Needs Assessment (2023) has identified key priority issues related to life skill development for youth people.  These priorities include youth life skills training opportunities, youth workforce readiness, and maximizing youth voice in matters that directly impact them.  Empowering our youth to actively participate in addressing societal issues is essential for a thriving future.

County Situation:

Long-Term Outcomes:

Youth will demonstrate necessary leadership, teamwork, and communication skills needed to be successful in the workplace. Youth participation in community involvement increases. Youth will serve in leadership roles in their community. Youth will more effectively communicate, work with others, and contribute to driving change and shaping the future. Strong leadership pool for community boards and organizations. Increased community pride or investment. Improved quality of life for citizens. Improved quality of workforce.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Leaders are inspired to get more involved.

Leaders address community issues and needs.

Leaders recruit and engage others to participate in community projects.

Youth will practice teamwork, responsibility, communication, conflict resolution techniques, and problem solving skills.

Youth will plan and implement service projects.

Youth will choose to take on leadership roles in their community.

Initial Outcomes:

Improved leadership skills.

Taking on leadership roles for the first time.

Assuming new leadership roles.

Participants give their time to serve in volunteer roles.

Youth will explore their spark in leadership.

Youth identify personal strengths that contribute to leadership skill development (communication, teamwork, civic engagement).

Youth realize how their actions impact others.

Increased knowledge of career pathways.

Youth will practice civic engagement, leadership and communication skills.

Strengthening work and life skills, including but not limited to, developing workforce development skills, employability and interpersonal skills, and work-life management strategies.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome:  Short Term

Indicator:  Number of youth who reported that they improved their job interview skills as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program.

Indicator:  Number of youth who reported demonstrating a skill they have learned.

Indicator:  Number of youth who reported serving in a leadership role.

Indicator:  Number of youth who reported working in a team or group to accomplish a common task or goal.

Indicator:  Number of youth who reported participating in a community service activity.

Indicator:  Number of volunteers who coordinated service activities.

Method:  Standard Evaluation

Timeline:  Immediately post program

Intermediate Outcome:  Medium Term

Indicator:  Number of youth who developed a resume as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program. 

Indicator:  Number of youth who gained an increase in salary/income as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program.

Indicator:  Number of youth who gained new employment as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program.

Method:  Survey

Timeline:  End of program year

Long-term Outcome:  Long Term

Indicator:  Long-term evaluation will be conducted using the National 4-H Index Study.

Method:  Survey or Interview

Timeline:  1+ years

Learning Opportunities:

Audience:  4-H Members and Officers

Project or Activity:  4-H Officer and Leadership Training

Content or Curriculum:  Kentucky 4-H Club Officer Handbook

Inputs:  These programs are supported by the research base of the Cooperative Extension Land-grant system, funding from the Kentucky 4-H Foundation, Inc., local, state, and federal sources, grants, and the engagement of volunteers, youth, communities, and external stakeholders.

Date:  Held annually in the fall.

Audience:  4-H members

Project or Activity:  4-H Communications and Mock Interview Contests

Content or Curriculum:  Kentucky 4-H Communications Curriculum

Inputs:  These programs are supported by the research base of the Cooperative Extension Land-grant system, funding from the Kentucky 4-H Foundation, Inc., local, state, and federal sources, grants, and the engagement of volunteers, youth, communities, and external stakeholders.

Date:  Held annually in the spring with winners advancing to area and area winners advancing to state competition.

Audience:  4-H Teens and Middle Schoolers

Project or Activity:  State 4-H Teen Conference and Teen Summit

Content or Curriculum:

Inputs:  These programs are supported by the research base of the Cooperative Extension Land-grant system, funding from the Kentucky 4-H Foundation, Inc., local, state, and federal sources, grants, and the engagement of volunteers, youth, communities, and external stakeholders.

Date:  March - Teen Summit, June - State 4-H Teen Conference

Audience:  LaRue County Middle School 8th Graders

Project or Activity:  4-H Reality Store

Content or Curriculum:  It's Your Reality

Inputs:  35 community volunteers, partnerships with the school system and the Youth Service Center

Date:  Annually in March

Audience:  LaRue County Middle School 6th Graders

Project or Activity:  Dollars and Sense

Content or Curriculum:  It's Youth Reality

Inputs:  These programs are supported by the research base of the Cooperative Extension Land-grant system, funding from the Kentucky 4-H Foundation, Inc., local, state, and federal sources, grants, and the engagement of volunteers, youth, communities, and external stakeholders.

Date:  Annually in March

Audience:  Teenagers and Young Adults

Project or Activity:  Adulting 101 Series

Content or Curriculum:

Inputs:  These programs are supported by the research base of the Cooperative Extension Land-grant system, funding from the Kentucky 4-H Foundation, Inc., local, state, and federal sources, grants, and the engagement of volunteers, youth, communities, and external stakeholders.

Date: 

Audience:  FACS of Life Seminar

Project or Activity:  

Content or Curriculum:

Inputs:  

Date:

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome:  Short Term

Indicator:  Number of youth who reported that they improved their job interview skills as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program.

Indicator:  Number of youth who reported demonstrating a skill they have learned.

Indicator:  Number of youth who reported serving in a leadership role.

Indicator:  Number of youth who reported working in a team or group to accomplish a common task or goal.

Indicator:  Number of youth who reported participating in a community service activity.

Indicator:  Number of volunteers who coordinated service activities.

Method:  Standard Evaluation

Timeline:  Immediately post program

Intermediate Outcome:  Medium Term

Indicator:  Number of youth who developed a resume as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program. 

Indicator:  Number of youth who gained an increase in salary/income as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program.

Indicator:  Number of youth who gained new employment as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program.

Method:  Survey

Timeline:  End of program year

Long-term Outcome:  Long Term

Indicator:  Long-term evaluation will be conducted using the National 4-H Index Study.

Method:  Survey or Interview

Timeline:  1+ years