Financial Management, Soft Skill Development, Human Development, Sustainable EnvironmentsPlan of Work

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Meade County CES

Title:
Financial Management, Soft Skill Development, Human Development, Sustainable Environments
MAP:
Life Skills Development
Agents Involved:
Bridge, Mills, Reed
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Home & Consumer Horticulture
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Nurturing Families (general)
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
4-H Youth Development Programming
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Family and Consumer Sciences 4-H Core Curriculum
Situation:

Life skills education is one of the dominate needs of citizens as they work to improve their lives. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics almost 15% of Meade County residents live below the poverty level. Contributing factors could include lack of a high school education (15%), unemployment (10%), severe disabilities (7%), major depression (7%) and recent drug use (10.5%). The need for financial and resource management was identified by multiple councils as an area extension could provide expertise as we continue to reach out the residents with educational information.  

Additional needs of young children have been observed through preschool screens as only about 30% of those tested are cognitively developed for effective learning.  Family support and interaction plays a key component in a child's cognitive, emotional and physical development.  


4-H is a youth organization committed to building outstanding leaders with marketable skills to succeed in today’s global society. 4-H empowers youth to reach their full potential, working and learning in partnership with caring adults. Research also shows us developing a strong sense of personal identity, responsibility, caring, compassion, and tolerance are essential first steps toward being engaged at the community level (National 4-H Council, 2014).

Long-Term Outcomes:

Maximize or extend resources to maintain or increase financial.


Number of individuals reporting improved family financial stability and economic well-being.


Number of individuals who avoided breaches in personal or financial security.


Improved the quality of their life resulting in a stronger family.


Youth will contribute to self, family, community and to the institutions of our society.


Youth will have reduced risky behavior now and in the future.


4-H alumni will be successful in a global society.


4-H youth will successfully enter the workplace and/or institution of higher learning.


Youth will utilize the scientific method in decision-making and to solve problems in their daily life.


Youth will engage in community projects related to natural resource conservation.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Adopt one or more short, mid and long term financial planning strategies.


Practice one or more resource management behavior(s) resulting in increased savings or investments


Apply practical living skills to advance education or employability


Examine personal and financial stability on a regular basis (at least annually).


Youth will use scientific decision making techniques to make decisions on a daily basis.


Youth will express themselves to others in group settings and on an individual bases.


Youth have a positive bond with a caring adult who believe in their success.


Youth apply the skills learned in 4-H in other activities at home, school and in the community.


Youth set and achieve goals through a 4-H program.


Youth will adopt practices to conserve and protect the environment and make decisions in their daily lives that positively impact natural resources.

Initial Outcomes:

Teenagers and adults will show increased knowledge and skills related to managing available financial and non-financial resources. (Social marketing and Program participants)


Participants will increase understanding of consumer rights and privacy protection measures.


Teens and young adults will simulate life situations to recognize importance of education and employability skills.


Participants will identify short, medium and long term personal goals and objectives related to maintaining and improving their financial stability.


Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the decision making process.


Youth learn skills need to communicate with others.


Adult mentors/volunteers will understand elements of positive youth development.


Youth learn and develop life skills though 4-H.


Youth learn steps in goal setting and developing a plan of action.


Youth will gain knowledge of the interrelationship and interdependencies with an ecosystem.


Youth will identify the natural resources that are used within their home and community.

Evaluation:

Long-Term Outcome: Families will reduce debt, increase savings and better utilize resources.

Indicator: Number of adults who demonstrate informed and effective decision making strategies

Method: evaluation

Timeline: Throughout the program year


Long-Term Outcome: Youth will contribute to self, family, community and to the institutions of our society.

Indicator: Number of youth who report personal contributions to self, family and community.

Method: evaluation

Timeline: Throughout program year, July 2018 - June 2019


Intermediate Outcome: Youth apply the skills learned in 4-H in other activities at home, school and in the community.

Indicator: Number of youth who report applying skills learned in 4-H in other venues such as home, school and the community.

Method: evaluation

Timeline: Throughout the program year, July 2018 - June 2019


Initial Outcome: Youth learn and develop life skills though 4-H.

Indicator: Number of youth who report learning and developing life skills through 4-H activities/events/project work.

Method: evaluation

Timeline: Throughout the program year, July 2018 - June 2019


Initial Outcome: Youth identify the natural resources in their community.

Indicator: Number of youth who can identify the natural resources in their community.

Method: evaluation

Timeline: Throughout the program year, July 2018 - June 2019


Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Adults

Project or Activity: Financial Management Series

Content or Curriculum: Money Habituates, Making Your Money Go Further 

Inputs: local councils, resource agencies, extension resources

Date: October/November


Audience: Adults

Project or Activity: Kids Fest

Content or Curriculum: Early Childhood Education 

Inputs: local councils, resource agencies, extension resources

Date: November and March


Audience: Adults and Youth

Project or Activity: Recycling

Content or Curriculum: Why Recycle?

Inputs: local councils, resource agencies, extension resources

Date: Spring 2019


Audience: Adults

Project or Activity: Basic Life Skills

Content or Curriculum: Basic Life Skills: Real Skills for Everyday Life Series

Inputs: Extension resources, local councils, resource agencies

Date: Year Long - Target by Seasons


Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: 4-H Sewing Series

Content or Curriculum: Approved 4-H Sewing Curriculum

Inputs: 4-H Council, Master Clothing Volunteers, community volunteers

Date: Throughout the program year, July 2018 - June 2019


Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: Teen Leadership Academy (TLA)

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Leadership Core Curriculum, Youth Engagement Leadership Program (YELP)

Inputs: TLA 4-H Agents, TLA Participants, extension specialists, volunteers

Date: Monthly, September 2018 – May 2019


Project or Activity: 4-H Summer Day Camp Series

Content or Curriculum: Approved 4-H curriculum for science, engineering & technology; foods; food preservation; natural resources; arts; home environment; needlework; photography; woodworking and 4-H trends projects.

Inputs: extension staff, 4-H Intern, local volunteers

Date: July 2018 and June 2019


Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: 4-H Cooking School

Content or Curriculum: Approved 4-H curriculum for food & nutrition lessons/projects

Inputs: extension staff, extension specialists, local volunteers

Date: Monthly, September 2018 – May 2019


Project or Activity: 4-H Babysitting Basics Course

Content or Curriculum: Approved 4-H curriculum for babysitting programs

Inputs: extension staff, extension specialists, local volunteers, Youth Service Center Coordinator, school personnel

Date: Fall 2018


Project or Activity: 4-H Fine Arts After School Program

Content or Curriculum: Approved 4-H curriculum for fine arts project

Inputs: extension staff, extension specialists, local volunteers, Youth Service Center Coordinator, school personnel

Date: Spring 2019


Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: 4-H Communication Contest

Content or Curriculum: Approved 4-H curriculum for communication projects/events

Inputs: extension staff, extension specialists, local volunteers

Date: Spring 2018


Audience: Middle School Youth

Project or Activity: It’s Your Reality

Content or Curriculum: It’s Your Reality program curriculum &materials

Inputs: extension staff, Youth Service Center Coordinator, school personnel, local businesses, local volunteers

Date: Fall 2018



Audience: Homeschool Youth

Project or Activity: Meade County Homeschool 4-H Experience

Content or Curriculum: Approved 4-H curriculum for all seven core curriculum areas.

Inputs: extension staff, extension specialists, local volunteers, Barnhart Grant of $900.00

Date: Monthly, September 2018 – May 2019


Audience: General Public

Project: Gardening classes

Content: University publications

Inputs: UK specialists, ANR agent, MC Library

Date: Spring 2017




Success Stories

Securing Funds for Story Walk Trail

Author: Jennifer Bridge

Major Program: Nurturing Families (general)

School readiness has been identified as an area of need in Meade County by the Early Childhood Council and the county preschool program.  Research shows positive adult/child interaction is critical to learning and development of motor skills. The family and consumer science program provides unique areas of expertise related to this area.   Working with Extension specialist at the University of Kentucky the concept of a community story walk trail was introduced.  After much researc

Full Story

It's Your Reality ... A Middle School Perspective

Author: Deana Reed

Major Program: Family and Consumer Sciences 4-H Core Curriculum

It's Your Reality ... A Middle School Perspective

Recent years of tough economic times have increased awareness of the need for financial literacy; however, Americans still have a long way to go toward making improvements. In 2014, the Jump$tart Coalition compiled a series of statistics that state that even though youth intend to work and save dollars, more students have increased 36% from the previous years of student and credit card debt.  Youth are not getting the financial education which they will need for adulthood. According to the

Full Story

There is Hope: A Realistic Look at Drugs in Meade County

Author: Jennifer Bridge

Major Program: Nurturing Families (general)

  “Drugs are taking over our county and destroying families!”  This phrase seemed to be a common everyday saying.  To address this issue the Meade County Extension Council, Extension Homemaker Council, local extension agents, local officials and extension specialist worked together to bring awareness to myths and reality.  The first step in the process was to bring key individuals together to explore the reality of the drug and opioid epidemic

Full Story
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