Developing Life Skills Among Youth and FamiliesPlan of Work

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Laurel County CES

Title:
Developing Life Skills Among Youth and Families
MAP:
Family and Youth Development
Agents Involved:
Adkins, O'Bryan, Sigmon, Whitson, Williams
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
4-H Family and Consumer Science Core Curriculum
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
4-H Agriculture Core Curriculum AND Natural Resources
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Embracing Life as We Age (general)
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
4-H Youth Development Programming
Situation:

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.

Long-Term Outcomes:

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

Intermediate Outcomes:

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.

Initial Outcomes:

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.

Evaluation:

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

Learning Opportunities:

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





Success Stories

Extension on the Go

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.  

Full Story
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