Washington County CES

Title:

Increasing life skills education for youth and families

MAP:

Developing Leadership and Volunteers

Agents Involved:

Cabrina Buckman, Dennis Morgeson, Melissa Schenck, Laura Brady, SNAP-Ed

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Empowering Community Leaders (general)

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Food Preservation

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

4-H Agriculture Core Curriculum AND Natural Resources

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

4-H Communications and Expressive Arts Core Curriculum

Situation:

With the rapid changes in today's society, learning basic life skills is still as important as ever. Because of single parent households or both parents holding full time jobs, basic life skills are not consistently taught at home. Schools are also limited in the time allowed to teach life skills. Today, life choices are often based more on personal desires rather than factual information. The Cooperative Extension Service mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of KY citizens through non-formal education for the entire family.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Youth and adults will utilize public speaking skills gained through extension.

Youth will choose career paths through projects and programs conducted by extension.

Youth will gain and maintain employment through life skill development.

Families and individuals will make responsible and productive life choices that will contribute to home and family.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Youth will write and present a well constructed speech with confidence in front of multiple audiences.

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

Extension participants will apply skills learned through extension programming at home, work and in their communities.

Initial Outcomes:

Youth will learn skills needed to communicate with others.

Youth will learn and develop life skills through 4-H.

Extension participants will gain knowledge and skills through extension programming.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Youth will learn skills needed to communicate with others.

Indicator: Youth will report they successfully wrote a speech

Method: verbal and written evaluation

Timeline: spring

Intermediate Outcome: Youth will have the ability to communicate confidently in front of multiple audience

Indicator: Youth will present a speech with the Talk Meet

Method: score sheets

Timeline: spring

Long-term Outcome: Youth will utilize public speaking skills gained through Extension

Indicator: utilization of skills through school and community activities

Method: observation and survey

Timeline: continuous

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: youth and adult Extension clientele

Project or Activity: Talk Meet, food preservation classes, 4-H clothing and food projects, Relationship Smarts lessons, money management classes, meal planning and preparation lessons, safety programming

Content or Curriculum: Extension curriculum

Inputs: Extension resources, community partners, volunteers, and participants

Date: continuous

Success Stories

It's Your Reality

Author: Melissa Schenck

Major Program: 4-H College and Career Readiness (8-12 Grade Only)

The 2019 Community Needs Assessment emphasized the a desire for life skills training and career readiness for youth in Washington County. These life skills included money management, life decision making, and personal financial understanding. The It's Your Reality program was re-introduced to Washington County as a potential solution for these priority issues through a partnership with the public and parochial schools in Washington County. In the It's Your Reality program, youth ass

Full Story

Money Masters Program Series Provides Financial Education to Young Students

Author: Cabrina Buckman

Major Program: Securing Financial Stability (general)

Financial education remains vital at all ages to promote financial security.  The Washington County Family and Consumer Sciences Agent partnered with the North Washington Elementary School to offer a monthly program series called Money Masters as part of the 21st Century Grant, which provides additional education during non-school hours.  The participant group consisted of eight to twelve children who ranged from Kindergarten to 2nd Grade.  The Family and Consumer Sciences Agent w

Full Story

Brown Bag Projects in Response to Covid-19

Author: Melissa Schenck

Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming

When the Covid-19 Pandemic struck it presented challenges for not only physical health of those infected but also the mental well-being of the entire country. David Weisenhorn, UK Senior Specialist for Parenting and Child Development said, "the uncertainty around Covid-19 is even harder for Children," additionally, the implications around school closures and social distancing requirements have the potential to have a long-term impact on youth mental health. To continue to support

Full Story

Brown Bag Project Meets the Needs of Youth During Pandemic

Author: James Morgeson

Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming

When the Covid-19 Pandemic struck it presented challenges for not only physical health of those infected but also the mental well-being of the entire country. David Weisenhorn, UK Senior Specialist for Parenting and Child Development said, "the uncertainty around Covid-19 is even harder for Children," additionally, the implications around school closures and social distancing requirements have the potential to have a long-term impact on youth mental health.To continue to support youth

Full Story