Extension
It Starts With Us
Developing Life Skills Among Youth and Families
Family and Youth Development
Adkins, O'Bryan, Sigmon, Whitson, Williams
4-H Family and Consumer Science Core Curriculum
4-H Agriculture Core Curriculum AND Natural Resources
Embracing Life as We Age (general)
4-H Youth Development Programming
Extension’s mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of Kentucky citizens through non-formal education for the entire family. Extension agents and volunteers take the results of university research and explain it in such a way that different age groups can learn and apply the information to their own lives. Research shows that developing a strong sense of personal identity, responsibility, caring, compassion, and tolerance are essential first steps toward being engaged at the community level. Without the acquisition of life skills needed by young people and adults, it is doubtful they will reach their full potential as both individuals and as members of families. Fostering the development of personal and interpersonal skills, stimulating volunteer leadership, and personal active participation in community problem-solving can improve the capacity of communities to identify and address critical issues that affect the lives of citizens in Laurel County.
Focusing on improving the individual and family units will essentially lead to improvement in the economic situation.
Environmental improvements will proceed while individuals develop citizenship qualities.
Socialization of individuals will improve with the personal development of community members.
Because individuals develop personally the civic improvements will increase.
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 have reduced risky behavior now and in the future.
Youth will contribute to self, family, community and to the institutions of our society.
Caring adults and youth will connect
Community Youth Development will be fostered
Children, youth and families personally seek development for self.
They seek life changes devoted to positive personal development
Provide access to places where knowledge of self-esteem building can be gained.
Youth set and achieve goals through a 4-H program.
Youth apply the skills learned in 4-H in other activities at home, school and in the community
Youth have a positive bond with a caring adult who believe in their success.
Youth will express themselves to others in group settings and on an individual bases.
Youth will use scientific decision making techniques to make decisions on a daily basis.
Children, youth and families will increase knowledge of personal issues which may require improvement.
Youth and families will develop skills to personally improve self-esteem as well as assist others in the same improvements.
They will aspire to continue personal development at all times.
Youth learn steps in goal setting and developing a plan of action.
Youth learn and develop life skills though 4-H.
Adult mentors will understand elements of positive youth development.
Youth learn skills need to communicate with others
Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the decision-making process.
Initial Outcome: Participants will gain knowledge of life skills and seek to practice them.
Indicator: Participants will attend and participate in Extension programs and practice life skill activities
Method: observation, judging rubics and surveys
Timeline: July - June
Intermediate Outcome: Participants will be capable of communicating, cooperating, resolving conflict, producing economic activity and making wise economic decisions to support a healthy lifestyle
Indicator: Observation and demonstrated abilities
Method: surveys, observation, pre-post test evaluations
Timeline: July-June
Long-term Outcome: Youth and Families will be strengthened through mastery of life skills gained through Extension programs
Indicator: Participants will exhibit behaviors conducive to those of competent and contributing citizens
Method: observation, surveys and pre-post test evaluations
Timeline: July - June
Audience: Adults, youth and families
Project or Activity: 4-H Expressive Arts (music, drama, visual and dance)
Content or Curriculum: KET Arts curriculum, variety show competitions
Inputs: extension agents, volunteers, local schools
Date: September -August
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Communications (Speeches and Demonstrations)
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Speak Up, Building Bridges, UK publications
Inputs: extension agents, volunteers, local schools
Date: August -April
Audience: 4-H youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Afterschool programs
Content or Curriculum: Exploring 4-H, Character Counts, JCPenney Afterschool
Inputs: 4-H agents, 4-H assistant, volunteers, local schools and staff
Date: weekly (August -May)
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Community Clubs
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum
Inputs: 4-H agents, volunteers
Date: monthly
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Summer Camp
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum
Inputs: extension agents, Camp Staff, 4-H volunteers (adult & teen)
Date: yearly: summer
Audience: 4-H cloverbud age
Project or Activity: 4-H cloverbud Camp
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Cloverbud curriculum, camp resources
Inputs: adult & teen volunteers, camp staff, extension agents
Date: Summer
Audience: Preschool children
Project or Activity: Preschool Garden
Content or Curriculum: Early sprouts, Sowing Seeds of Wonder, Master Gardeners
Inputs: Extension program assistants, local preschools, master gardeners
Date: May-June
Audience: Middle school youth
Project or Activity: Middle School Garden Club
Content or Curriculum: Junior Master Gardener
Inputs: Extension staff, middle school teachers and staff, Master Gardeners
Date: August - May
Audience: general public
Project or Activity: C.L.A.S.S. (Continuous Learning Assures a Successful Society)
Content or Curriculum: UK publications
Inputs: Extension Agent, Extension program assistants, volunteers
Date: Fall and Winter semesters
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Photography Clubs and Workshops
Content or Curriculum: National 4-H Project books
Inputs: extension 4-H agent, local schools (teachers and staff), 4-H volunteers, community speakers
Date: July - August
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: SPIN (Special Interest) Clubs
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Materials and workbooks
Inputs: community volunteers, 4-H volunteers, 4-H agents, parents
Date: ongoing
Audience: Community Youth
Project or Activity: SPARK clubs (spark an interest in 4-H)
Content or Curriculum: 4-H materials, online resources, community resources
Inputs: community resource volunteers, extension agents, parents
Date: ongoing
Audience: adults
Project or Activity: Jabez Quilt Seminar (Statewide)
Content or Curriculum: FCS materials
Inputs: Extension Agents, Master Clothing Volunteers, volunteers, state specialists, and quilting experts
Date: Winter 2019
Audience: young children and fathers of young children
Activity: Fathers Reading Every Day
Content and curriculum: FRED
Inputs: Extension Agents, public library
Date: Fall - Spring
Author: William Adkins
Major Program: 4-H Health Core Curriculum
In March of 2020 Kentucky declared a state of emergency because of a global pandemic and we were told to shelter at home. Due to this order, traditional Extension programming had to be put on hold, but the need for research-based information was greater than ever. In addition to answering phone calls and communicating through social media, the Laurel County Cooperative Extension offered 10 programs in To-Go Bags. Families were offered a different bag and topic each week.
