Extension
It Starts With Us
Educating, & empowering individuals & families to make responsible choices & develop lifeskills
Developing life skills
C. Durr, C. Hall, V. Holland, A. Holt, S. Lewis, W. Long, B. Pratt, M. Pearce and K. Smith
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Conflict Resolution
Developing life skills and making responsible, healthy choices can have a profound impact on family stability, individual well-being and community sustainability. Budgeting, interpersonal relationships, communication, family management and other skills are necessary for success.
The consequences of the Great Recession and the extended period of slow economic growth which followed, encouraged Kentuckians to become more aware of their financial situation. Kentucky consistently lags behind other areas of the United States in key household economic indicators, including: personal income, population living below the poverty line, unemployment, and revolving debt. These indicators, especially unemployment numbers became more exaggerated during the period of the Great Recession. However, at present economist are cautiously optimistic regarding future economic forecasts. It is important to acknowledge the impact of current economic conditions on family financial management. The goal of the Securing Financial Stability Initiative is to help Kentuckians understand and respond to changing economic conditions, while promoting healthy financial behaviors across the lifespan.
The development of life skills, like leadership, allows youth to cope with their environment by making responsible decisions, having a better understanding of their values, and being better able to communicate and get along with others. (Boyd, Herring & Briers, 1992, Journal of Extension). Almost 30 percent of youth in the United States (or over 5.7 million) are to be involved in bullying as a bully, a target of bullying or both. A troubling statistic that needs to be addressed.
Healthy couple and parenting relationships and resulting family stability benefit the well-being of adults and children. Furthermore, children who start kindergarten with delayed development and fewer assets are by far more likely to repeat grades, get tracked into lower-tier classes and drop out of high school than more advantaged children.
• Youth and adults will demonstrate the understanding of diversity, inclusivity, and multiculturalism in their daily life.
• Youth will use leadership and communications skills needed to be successful in the workplace on a daily basis.
• Create safe homes within environments that promote and support the physical and mental well-being of families throughout the life cycle.
• Youth will develop into competent, capable, contributing adults as important developmental assets are met through their participation in Extension programs.
• Youth and adults will be responsible and contributing individuals and family members, gain and maintain employment through life skill development and contribute to a safe, pleasant and productive home and family.
• Youth and adults will learn to manage personal finances, make wise financial decisions and understand long-term financial stability.
• Youth and adults make more informed consumer decisions that result in increased family economic stability.
• Youth and adults will reduce stress levels by building personal strengths, self-control, interpersonal communication, life skills including wise decision-making.
• Reported using preventive and positive discipline techniques in response to misbehavior, and setting and enforcing logical consequences.
• Practice skills to strengthen and sustain relationships.
• Increased adoption and mastery of healthy behaviors that lead to a healthy lifestyle that include making healthy lifestyle choices, not engaging in risky behavior and handling stress.
• Practice healthy lifestyle decision-making that strengthen individuals’ ability to cope with normal life stressors.
• Change in awareness, knowledge, opinions, skills, and attitudes needed to make informed choices regarding healthy aging.
• Commits to using logical consequences for misbehavior.
• Youth and adults will identify healthy lifestyle choices, risky behaviors and their consequences and healthy ways to handle stress.
Initial Outcome: Youth and adults will identify healthy lifestyle choices, risky behaviors and their consequences and healthy ways to handle stress.
Indicator: Ability to identify healthy lifestyle choices
Method: Pre- and post-surveys
Timeline: Before and after program
Intermediate Outcome: Increased adoption and mastery of healthy behaviors that lead to a healthy lifestyle that include making healthy lifestyle choices, not engaging in risky behavior and handling stress.
Indicator: Youth and adults adopting and mastering healthy behaviors
Method: Pre- and post-surveys
Timeline: Before and after program and follow up
Long-term Outcome: Youth will develop into competent, capable, contributing adults as important developmental assets are met through their participation in Extension programs.
Indicator: Youth will display skills necessary to be competent, capable, contributing adults.
Method: Observation & interviews
Timeline: End of program
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Community Garden implementation; school garden
Content or Curriculum: Extension publications
Inputs: specialists; content curriculum
Date: July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Community Gardens
Content or Curriculum: CES publications
Inputs: agents, garden space
Date: July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: In-school clubs
Content or Curriculum: Acres of Adventures, What’s on Your Plate,
Exploring Food Science, Step Up to Leadership,
Cooking, Keeping Fit & Healthy, Be SAFE:
Affirming and Fair Environments, STEPS to a
Healthy Teen, Welcome to 4-H: New Members
Guide
Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, outside
funding
Date: September 2017 – April 2018
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Reality Store
Content or Curriculum: Acres of Adventures, What’s on Your Plate,
Exploring Food Science, Step Up to Leadership,
Cooking, Keeping Fit & Healthy, Be SAFE:
Affirming and Fair Environments, STEPS to a
Healthy Teen, Welcome to 4-H: New Members
Guide
Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, outside
funding
Date: September 2017 – April 2018
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Dollars & Sense
Content or Curriculum: Acres of Adventures, What’s on Your Plate,
Exploring Food Science, Step Up to Leadership,
Cooking, Keeping Fit & Healthy, Be SAFE:
Affirming and Fair Environments, STEPS to a
Healthy Teen, Welcome to 4-H: New Members
Guide
Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, outside
funding
Date: September 2017 – April 2018
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Teen Summit
Content or Curriculum: Acres of Adventures, What’s on Your Plate,
Exploring Food Science, Step Up to Leadership,
Cooking, Keeping Fit & Healthy, Be SAFE:
Affirming and Fair Environments, STEPS to a
Healthy Teen, Welcome to 4-H: New Members Guide
Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, outside
funding
Date: September 2017 – April 2018
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Jr. MANRRS
Content or Curriculum: Acres of Adventures, What’s on Your Plate,
Exploring Food Science, Step Up to Leadership,
Cooking, Keeping Fit & Healthy, Be SAFE:
Affirming and Fair Environments, STEPS to a
Healthy Teen, Welcome to 4-H: New Members
Guide
Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, outside
funding
Date: September 2017 – April 2018
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: SPIN Clubs
Content or Curriculum: Acres of Adventures, What’s on Your Plate,
Exploring Food Science, Step Up to Leadership,
Cooking, Keeping Fit & Healthy, Be SAFE:
Affirming and Fair Environments, STEPS to a
Healthy Teen, Welcome to 4-H: New Members Guide
Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, outside
funding
Date: September 2017 – April 2018
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Embryology
Content or Curriculum: Acres of Adventures, What’s on Your Plate,
Exploring Food Science, Step Up to Leadership,
Cooking, Keeping Fit & Healthy, Be SAFE:
Affirming and Fair Environments, STEPS to a
Healthy Teen, Welcome to 4-H: New Members Guide
Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, outside
funding
Date: September 2017 – April 2018
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Babysitting
Content or Curriculum: Acres of Adventures, What’s on Your Plate,
Exploring Food Science, Step Up to Leadership,
Cooking, Keeping Fit & Healthy, Be SAFE:
Affirming and Fair Environments, STEPS to a
Healthy Teen, Welcome to 4-H: New Members Guide
Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, outside
funding
Date: September 2017 – April 2018
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Camp
Content or Curriculum: Acres of Adventures, What’s on Your Plate,
Exploring Food Science, Step Up to Leadership,
Cooking, Keeping Fit & Healthy, Be SAFE:
Affirming and Fair Environments, STEPS to a
Healthy Teen, Welcome to 4-H: New Members
Guide
Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, outside
funding
Date: September 2017 – April 2018
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Red Cross Pillowcase Project
Content or Curriculum: Acres of Adventures, What’s on Your Plate,
Exploring Food Science, Step Up to Leadership,
Cooking, Keeping Fit & Healthy, Be SAFE:
Affirming and Fair Environments, STEPS to a
Healthy Teen, Welcome to 4-H: New Members Guide
Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, outside
funding
Date: September 2017 – April 2018
Audience: Extension Homemakers
Project or Activity: Savvy Sellers and Bargain Hunters
Content or Curriculum: KEHA Curriculum
Inputs: Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association
(KEHA), Kentucky CES publications and resources
Date: September 2017 – May 2018
Audience: Extension Homemakers
Project or Activity: Creating and Maintaining Family Traditions
Content or Curriculum: KEHA Curriculum
Inputs: Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association
(KEHA), Kentucky CES publications and resources
Date: September 2017 – May 2018
Audience: Extension Homemakers and General Public
Project or Activity: Tackling Your Laundry
Content or Curriculum: KEHA Curriculum
Inputs: Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association
(KEHA), Kentucky CES publications and resources
Date: September 2017 – May 2018
Audience: General Public
Project or Activity: It’s Sew Fine Sewing Expo
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky CES publications and resources
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES)
agents, program assistants, specialists and
volunteers.
Date: July 2017 – June 2018
Audience: General Public and Seniors
Project or Activity: Stand Up to Falling
Content or Curriculum: Stand Up to Falling
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES)
agents, program assistants, specialists and
volunteers.
Date: July 2017 – June 2018
Audience: General Public
Project or Activity: Accepting and Loving Your Body
Content or Curriculum: Universe of Possibilities, Kentucky CES
publications and resources
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES)
agents, program assistants, specialists and
volunteers.
Date: July 2017 – June 2018
Audience: General Public
Project or Activity: Personal Finance
Content or Curriculum: Real Skills for Everyday Life, Kentucky CES
publications and resources
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES)
agents, program assistants, specialists and
volunteers.
Date: July 2017 – June 2018
Audience: General Public
Project or Activity: Holiday Finances
Content or Curriculum: Stretching Your Holiday Spending, Kentucky CES
publications and resources
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES)
agents, program assistants, specialists and
volunteers.
Date: July 2017 – June 2018
Author: Kelly Smith
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
When the COVID-19 global pandemic forced Kentuckians into quarantine youth and families began spending more time at home, minimizing opportunities for youth to engage in typical extracurricular activities. Due to this situation the Jefferson County 4-H Program began holding 4-H virtual programs on social media platforms. The goal of the 4-H virtual programs were to maintain ways for youth and families to engage with 4-H projects, events and activities while learning new life skills through a tru
Author: Valerie Holland
Major Program: Financial Education - General
Fraud can happen to anyone. According to the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging 2019 Fraud Book, it is estimated that older Americans lose at least $2.9 billion per year to financial exploitation schemes and scams. Other groups pose estimates that are even higher, and many agree that fraud is underreported. The best way to protect yourself from financial fraud and scams is to be aware of the tactics con artists use and learn to recognize red flags so you can avoid being tricked.To increase c
Author: Jessica Marquez
Major Program: Community Engagement
Success Story: Educating our community. Title: Educating the Hispanic/Latinx Community on COVID-19 Major Program: Community Engagement Plan of work: Educating and empowering individuals and families to make responsible choices and develop life skills Outcome Type: Initial Outcome Success Story: Educating and empowering the Hispanic/Latinx Community on COVID-19 Issues: What is the situation? Who cares and why?KSU Extension focuses on strengthening partnerships
Author: Chanda Hall
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
One of the best ways to help children and teens eat healthy is to encourage them to learn to cook. Learning to cook helps kids find out about nutrition and what it means to eat healthy. Kids who learn to cook benefit in other ways, too: Are more likely to eat healthy, contribute to the family, learn about planning and making choices, develop a life skill, expand their understanding of math, b
Author: Kelly Smith
Major Program: Communications and Expressive Arts
To increase reading and critical thinking skills, the Jefferson County 4-H Program decided to develop virtual book clubs for the youth in the county. In partnership with the Jefferson County Public Library, the county is now offering 3 different interactive book clubs for Clover Bud, 4th & 5th Graders and Middle/High School Students. The public library recommends and allow the 4-H program to check out books as a classroom set. Students within the county sign up for ea
Author: Kelly Smith
Major Program: Community Engagement
As a nonprofit it is essential to develop partnerships with community organizations. Relationships with community partners can help with grant writing, volunteer recruitment, and program promotion. The goal of community partnerships is beneficial for both sides and strengthen the broader community. Jefferson County 4-H has developed a very strong relationship with Louisville Public Libraries. During the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Louisville Free Public Library wanted to conti
