Oldham County CES

Title:

Leadership, Community, and Economic Development

MAP:

Leadership, Community, and Economic Development

Agents Involved:

Kelly Woods, Traci Missun

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

4-H Leadership Core Curriculum

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

4-H Communications and Expressive Arts Core Curriculum

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Master Gardener

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association

Situation:

County Extension Council and program councils identified Leadership, Family Living, and Self-Reliance skills as ongoing priorities for Oldham County.

Oldham County population is estimated at over 65,000. Unemployment rose from 3.0% in 2000 to 8.6% in 2009 and is currently at 6.6%. The poverty rate rose from 4.4% in 2000 to 6.4% in 2011, and the child poverty rate rose from 5.3% to 8.0% from 2000 to 2011. (UK CEDIK data)

Oldham County has one of the highest income rates in the state but it still lags behind other areas of the United States in household income indicators, personal income, unemployment and underemployment, plus revolving debt loads.

The development of leadership contributes greatly to the positive development of young people and their communities. Leadership skills, such as goal-setting, problem-solving and sound decision-making, are not just necessary for leaders-these skills are needed for success in today's world (MacNeil,2000). Furthermore, helping young people develop leadership competencies makes them better able to solve community problems and enhances their civic participation (O'Brien & Kohlmeier, 2003). Young leaders also demonstrate higher career aspirations, increased self-esteem, and improved high school completion rates (Bloomberg, Ganey, Alba, Quintero, & Alcantara, 2003).

By supporting and engaging young leaders, adults, organizations and communities experience direct benefits, through stronger connections to other young people in the community(Zeldin, McDaniel, Topitzes, & Lorens, 2001). They have a greater understanding of the problems facing other youth, and fresh perspectives for how to address these problems (Des Marais, Yang, & Farzanehkia, 2000; Zeldin, McDaniel,Topitzes, & Lorens, 2001; McGillicuddy, 1991).

Additionally, Master Gardener and Homemaker volunteers take the training learned through Extension programs and teach others in the community.  Additionally, volunteers contribute service hours that complement other community efforts, including tourism, senior living, health, and wellness.

Situations have been identified through County Extension Council, program councils and community issues activities and feedback. Extension Council reviewed and prioritized several top county issues that Extension can address through programs: Family Development and Cultivating Family Living; Financial Skills; and Beginning Farmer and Self Reliance Skills.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Maintain or increase number of citizens prepared to assume leadership roles both in Extension and in the community. Youth will use leadership and communication skills needed to be successful on a daily basis.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Leaders collaborate to work effectively toward common goals. Volunteers take leadership positions to carry out Extension programs and direct clubs. Participants adopt practices or skills to improve financial success and/or be better prepared for job markets. Youth will utilize leadership skills learned in 4-H.

Initial Outcomes:

Participants develop effective leadership, business and other personal skills. Participants develop skills that support community and economic development. Youth will increase their knowledge about leadership and how to become an effective leader.

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Learning Opportunities:

Activity: Teen Leadership Workshop for Camp

Audience: Teen Leaders and Counselors In Training

Content or Curriculum: Unlock Your Leadership; Camp Handbook

Inputs: Teen Leaders

Date: June or July 2020

Activity: Shooting Sports Coaches Certification

Audience: New Shooting Sports Coaches

Content or Curriculum: State 4-H Shooting Sports Curriculum

Inputs: Coaches, KY 4-H Shooting Sports Committee

Date: October 2019 and February 2020

Activity: Camp Leader Orientation

Audience: Adult, Teen and CIT Camp Leaders

Content or Curriculum: State 4-H Camp Handbook; Leader in Me

Inputs: Campers Leadership, CES Staff, 4-H Council

Date: June or July 2020

Activity: 4-H Club Leader Orientation

Audience: New and Current 4-H Leaders

Content or Curriculum: Club Leader Handbook, 4-H Policies

Inputs: 4-H Council, Club Leaders

Date: September 2019 and as needed for new leaders

Audience: 4-H age youth

Project or Activity: Speech and Demonstration Program

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Public Speaking Curriculum

Inputs: CES staff, CES volunteers, ribbons, OCPS, 4-H Council

Date: January – April 2020

Audience: Oldham County Extension Homemakers

Project or Activity: Leadership Retreat

Content or Curriculum: KELD Leadership Curriculum

Inputs: Louisville Area Agents

Date: October 2019

Audience: Oldham County Extension Homemakers

Project or Activity: Louisville Area Homemakers Leadership Seminar - Addiction 101

Content or Curriculum: KELD Leadership Curriculum

Inputs: Louisville Area Agents, Oldham Co. Program Assistant

Date: September 2019

Audience: Roederer Correctional Complex Inmates

Activity: Private Pesticide Applicator Training at Prison

Content or Curriculum: UK and other Extension training materials and videos

Inputs: Agriculture Agent, Roederer Horticulture Instructor

Date: January or February 2020

Audience: Residents

Activity: Gardening Programs, Taught and/or organized by Oldham County Master Gardeners

Content or Curriculum: UK and other Extension training materials and video

Inputs: Master Gardener Volunteers, Local Experts, Agriculture Agent, Horticulture Assistant

Date: Ongoing; 2019-2020

Audience: Residents

Activity: Master Gardener Volunteer Classes

Content or Curriculum: UK and other Extension training materials and video

Inputs: Agriculture Agent, Horticulture Assistant, UK Extension Specialists, Local Experts

Date:  14 classes; October 2019 - April 2020

Success Stories