Youth Life Skill DevelopmentPlan of Work

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Shelby County CES

Title:
Youth Life Skill Development
MAP:
Life Skill Development
Agents Involved:
Regina Browning, Sheila Fawbush
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
21st Century Skills (Career & Workplace Development)
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Communications and Expressive Arts
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Family and Consumer Science
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Leadership
Situation:

Life skills are the abilities that individuals learn that help them to be successful in living a productive and satisfying life. 4-H and Extension programming empowers youth to reach their full potential, working and learning in partnerships with caring adults to obtain these important skills. Volunteers, Agents and Extension Staff an offer educational programming that allows youth to develop important life skills that help them become competent, caring and capable adults.

When it comes to the development of life skills, evidence suggests a need to go beyond mere transfer of knowledge, but instead giving youth the opportunity for a variety of supportive, related learning experiences to significantly increase the program's influence. A study by Astroth found that 4-H was effective at developing critical skills such as decision making, responsibility, interpersonal skills, service ethic and social skills. 4-H offers basic learning activities on a topics of interest to the youth, but the addition of activities that support that interest (such as fair exhibits, related subject matter workshops or day camps, fields trips, and decision making judging contests) significantly increase the development of  inportant life skills.

Life skill development is a major component of all the major core contest areas of Kentucky 4-H.  Emphasis is placed in developing life skills in the areas of Agriculture, Natural Resources, Health, Family and Consumer Sciences, Leadership, Science, Engineering & Technology (SET), Communications & Expressive Arts, Civic Engagement, Camping and 21st Century Skills.  The Shelby County 4-H Council and the Extension Community Assessment Survey both identify life skill development as a priority for the Extension Program.

Long-Term Outcomes:

•Youth will be responsible and contributing individuals and family members.

•Youth will gain and maintain employment through life skill development.

•Youth will demonstrate the necessary teamwork, leadership, and communications skills to be successful in the workplace

•Youth contribute to a safe, pleasant and productive home and family.

•Youth utilize the skills gained through education and involvement in Extension programs to serve as leaders in 4-H and other organizations.

•Youth will become active volunteers.

•Youth share the elements of the music, dance, drama and visual arts with their community.

•Youth become more comfortable sharing their thoughts with others.

•Youth develop into competent, capable, contributing adults as a result of their participation in 4-H Programs

•Youth will utilize the scientific method to solve problems in their daily life.

•Youth will choose a career path in science, engineering or technology subject matter.

•Youth will utilize the scientific method in decision-making.

•Youth will be advocates for environmental sustainability and stewardship.

•Youth will maintain positive health habits.

•Youth will report reduced numbers of drug, alcohol, and tobacco use.


Intermediate Outcomes:

•Youth will project a positive image and self-confidence

•Youth will practice responsible consumer and financial decision-making

•Youth will practice healthy eating choices

•Youth will make choices that lead to responsible and beneficial results

•Youth will adopt habits and skills that contribute toward employability in the future

•Youth will utilize and practice life skills in projects and life situations

•Youth will use and apply the skills gained from 4-H science, engineering and technology.

•Youth will demonstrate and share new abilities in science, engineering and technology with others.

•Youth will practice scientific methods learned in 4-H SET programs.

•Teens will mentor younger 4-H’ers in science, engineering and technology programs.

•Youth construct a speech that has a clear introduction, body and closing.

•Youth present before their family, a group of their peers (such as at a 4-H club meeting), a school or county qualifying event.

•Youth demonstrate an increased level of confidence when presenting in front of groups.

•Youth use their communication skills to assume a leadership role in 4-H or other organizations.

•Youth apply elements of music, dance, drama and visual arts in creating and performing.

•Youth will contribute to their communities.



Initial Outcomes:

•Youth will gain knowledge and develop skills in Family & Consumer Sciences projects and programs

•Youth will understand the decision-making process

•Youth gain skills in setting a goal and developing a plan of action

•Youth increase their knowledge of leadership and how to be an effective leader, tram player, and communicator.

•Youth learn to read and follow instructions.

•Youth learn wise use of resources.

•Youth develop skills in decision making, critical thinking, communications, record keeping, and leadership.

•Youth have improved understanding of consequences of risky behaviors.

•Youth will increase interest and engagement in 4-H science, engineering and technology.

•Youth learn new skills in 4-H science, engineering and technology programs.

•Youth will be introduced to careers in science, engineering, and technology.

•Teens participate in science, engineering and technology 4-H programs to acquire new skills.

•Youth research a presentation topic prior to developing a speech or demonstration.

•Youth write an outline, including an introduction, body and conclusion for their speech or demonstration. Youth create a formal presentation, speech or outline using the written outline.

•Youth be prepared to present before their family, a group of their peers (such as at a 4-H club meeting) and a school or county qualifying event.

•Youth can identify key elements of music, dance, drama and visual arts.

•Youth aspire to positively affect community and world issues.


Evaluation:

Initial Outcome:Knowledge and skill gained in area of interest through 4-H project work or educational opportunity

Indicator: Number of youth completing projects, participating in educational events or 4-H Contest

Method: fair entries, observation, evaluations

Timeline: conclusion of project year


Intermediate Outcome: Youth plan and implement a 4-H Project

Indicator: Youth complete project, exhibit at competition, demonstrate or display project, participation in a contest

Method: observation, evaluations

Timeline: end of project year


Intermediate Outcome: Youth demonstrate effective use of new skills and apply to everyday situations

Indicator: Number of youth making good choices, adopting new habits, sharing skills with others, mentoring younger members and assuming leadership roles

Method: observation, evaluations, leadership roles filled, self and parental reporting

Timeline: second or more years of 4-H involvement


Long-term Outcome: Youth become competent, caring contributing adults that are gainfully employed.

Indicator: Former 4-Hers that are gainfully employed, contributing to their community and lead safe and productive home life

Method: observation and followup with former members and their families.

Timeline: conclusion of 4-H career

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: 4-H Youth

Project or Activity: Spring & Fall Project Days

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Core Curriculum

Inputs: volunteers, supplies, curriculum

Date: Fall Break 2020, Spring Break 2021


Audience: 4-H Youth

Project or Activity: Shelby County Communication Event

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Communications Curriculum

Inputs: Volunteers, Curriculum,

Date: April/May 2021



Audience: 4-H Youth

Project or Activity: Country Ham Speeches/Essays

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Communications Curriculum

Inputs: curriculum, volunteers

Date: August 2020


Audience: 4-H Youth

Project or Activity: 4-H Sewing and Fashion Revue

Content or Curriculum: 4-H FCS Curriculum

Inputs: curriculum, volunteers, sewing machine, patterns

Date: January-April 2021


Audience: 4-H Youth

Project or Activity: 4-H Sewing Club

Content or Curriculum: 4-H FCS Curriculum

Inputs: curriculum, volunteers

Date: Monthly


Audience: 4-H Youth

Project or Activity: Individual and Independent 4-H Projects

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Core Curriculum

Inputs: curriculum

Date: year round


Audience: 4-Hers and Families

Project or Activity: Extension Open House/Field Day

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum and Marketing materials

Inputs: club members, volunteers, displays

Date:June/July 2021


Audience: High School Youth and Parents

Project or Activity: Paying for College Class

Content or Curriculum: KHEAA materials, MoneyWise,

Inputs: KHEAA representative, handouts

Date: November 2020


Audience:Middle School youth

Project or Activity: Reality Store

Content or Curriculum: Reality Store curriculum

Inputs: volunteers, curriculum

Date: April/May 2021


Audience: 4-H Youth

Project or Activity: National 4-H Science Day Experiment

Content or Curriculum: Science Day Materials, SET

Inputs: National Science Day kits

Date: October 2020


Audience: 4-H Members

Project or Activity: Shooting Sports Program

Content or Curriculum: Shooting Sports guidelines

Inputs: certified coaches, range, club equipment

Date: March-September 2020


Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: 4-H Camp

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Core Curriculum

Inputs: volunteers, supplies

Date: June/July 2021


Audience: 4-H Members

Project or Activity: Food-A-Rama

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Health and FCS Curriculum

Inputs: volunteers, prizes

Date: July 2021


Audience: Camp Adult and Teen Volunteers

Project or Activity: Bullying Prevention Education

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Core Curriculum

Inputs: curriculum

Date:May/June 2021


Audience: 4-H School Clubs

Project or Activity: Money Matters Program, Reality Game

Content or Curriculum: 4-H FCS Curriculum, Game Boards, Agent and 4-H Assistant

Inputs: curriculum

Date: January 2021


Audience: 4-H Members

Project or Activity: Imagination Club

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Health, Expressive Arts and FCS Curriculum

Inputs: volunteers, project supplies, curriculum

Date: monthly


Audience: 4-H Members

Project or Activity: Cloverbud Club

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Health, Expressive Arts and FCS Curriculum

Inputs: volunteers, project supplies, curriculum

Date: July 2021


Audience: 4-H Members

Project or Activity: Capital Experience

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Civic Engagement

Inputs: volunteers,transportation, local and state government officials

Date: March 2021






Success Stories

4-H Country Ham Project Continues During Pandemic

Author: Regina Browning

Major Program: Agriculture

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit there were major ramifications for Extension programming.  4-H events were postponed or canceled due the restrictions related to social distancing.  The work and progress that the young people had put into many of their 4-H projects were left unfinished with no culminating event.  Across the state, over 750 youth had put country hams into cure prior to the pandemic.  The County Ham Committee made up of agents and the state extension specialist m

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4-H Holiday Pick Up Projects

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Major Program: Communications and Expressive Arts

Shelby County 4-H provided a 12 Days of Christmas themed pick up project for 4-H members to keep them engaged since face to face meetings were not possible due to the pandemic.  The project kits provided twelve unique activities and written instructions including pictures to guide the 4-Her through the projects.  The kits were assembled by the 4-H Agent and program assistants.  4-H Volunteers provided ideas for some of the activities included in the kits.There were educational com

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4-H Summit

Author: Regina Browning

Major Program: Leadership

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the 2021 Kentucky 4-H Summit could not be implemented in the typical face-to-face format. Kentucky 4-H Program volunteers, members, and professionals decided, based on current events and fundamental developmental needs, that middle school youth needed the opportunity to connect to others and practice their leadership skills through 4-H. If adolescents are to develop the skills necessary for adulthood, they must learn basic skills for everyday life (Carnegie Council f

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4-H Teen Conference

Author: Regina Browning

Major Program: Leadership

When the COVID-19 pandemic shut down programming in March 2020 youth, families, and communities experienced long-term isolation and alteration of their typical lives related to in and out of school activities. Youth out-of-school time programs, such as 4-H, are essential ecological assets and their disruption during the pandemic may have a major impact on youth’s developmental pathways (Ettekal & Aganas, 2020). For many youth COVID-19 will be the defining issue of their lives

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4-H Sewing Club Works From Home

Author: Regina Browning

Major Program: Family and Consumer Science

Shelby County 4-H has a strong youth sewing program.  Interest from sewing workshops led to the creation of our sewing club called Zappy Zippers.  Zappy Zippers members met monthly to make projects and learn new skills.  Like all other 4-H groups, Covid-19 forced Zappy Zippers to cancel in-person programming.  The youth were devastated as they had more time at home to work on their sewing projects, but their club could not meet.  The Extension Staff and a dedicated club

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