Family Nurturance, Youth Empowerment, Parenting and Care-givingPlan of Work

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Franklin County CES

Title:
Family Nurturance, Youth Empowerment, Parenting and Care-giving
MAP:
Increasing Family Nurturance Across the Lifespan
Agents Involved:
T.Thomas, K. Perry
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Family and Consumer Science
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Family Development General
Situation:

Healthy families are critical to a community. It is important for individuals, couples, and families to acquire skills that can help them create healthy relationships at home, school or in the workplace while building strong families. Unfortunately, today's families often experience challenges that can breakdown the family system, e.g., drug and alcohol addiction and domestic violence. These problems can lead to child maltreatment or fatalities. As a result, when a negative event occurs due to the above societal issues more and more grandparents are raising the children or children are placed in foster care.

As we progress in to the 21st century, a number of factors have gained prevalence within Family and Consumer Science driven by the increase of online and mobile shopping, the rise of video based at home tutorials, and the shifting family structures as evident by 17% of stay-at-home parents being fathers. The ever changing landscape of the family and the consumer highlights the need for a responsive and innovative FCS program while also providing the basic needs that all families have as they navigate lives many challenges. Kentucky 4-H Seeks to meet these needs through working with youth and families in a variety of situations to increase their consumer awareness, financial management, nutrition, culinary arts, textiles, housing, and human development. 


According to The Child Welfare Information Gateway Brief (2019), positive parenting impacts children's social, emotional, and intellectual development. Cooperative Extension through its parenting classes has that help them learn about their child's development and needs. This will result in improved parental attitudes about parenting and improvements in children's behavior.

Lastly, because of our aging population, adult children are not only raising their own children but may also be caring for their aging parents.  In addition, due to the opioid epidemic, aging grandparents may also be raising grandchildren providing care to a spouse.

When life skills are developed, individuals gain a greater understanding and appreciation for the role and responsibility of being a family member, friend, partner, employee and community member.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Improved communication and at home, school and workplace

Improved relationship quality between married and unmarried couples

Decreased in child maltreatment

Decreased bullying and domestic violence

Decreased child placement in the foster care system

Positive parenting styles

Greater family engagement 

• Be responsible and contributing individuals and family members

• Gain and maintain employment through life skill development

• Contribute to a safe and healthy home and community. 

Intermediate Outcomes:

Ability to communicate one's own needs met

Set personal boundaries

Increased self-esteem

Show empathy for others

Understand basic child development

Understand and provide nurturing behavior: show love, provide basic needs

Use age appropriate discipline without violence

Communicate without violence

Increased family interactions


Initial Outcomes:

Identify the characteristics of healthy relationships

Identify behaviors that damage relationships

Learn age-appropriate expectations for children's development

Learn how to respect the needs, feelings and individuality of self and others

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Self Awareness

Indicator:

Method: Discussion and homework assignments

Timeline: Before and after program


Intermediate Outcome: Understanding

Indicator:

Method: Discussion and homework assignments

Timeline: Weekly


Long-term Outcome: Youth and adults exhibit behaviors that ensure healthy relationships.

Indicator: Reported understanding of benefits

Method: Post-surveys

Timeline: 3 month, 6 month and 12 month follow ups.


Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Youth and Adults

Project or Activity:

Content or Curriculum: ACT Parenting Curriculum, ,

Inputs: Agents, Fiscal Court, Drug Court, Cabinet for Families, FRC

Date: Ongoing


Audience: Youth and Adults

Project or Activity:

Content or Curriculum: Relationship Smarts, Love Notes, Overcoming Obstacles

Inputs: Agent, local schools, Family Resource Staff

Date: Ongoing


Audience: Divorcing Families

Project or Activity:

Content or Curriculum: Families in Transition (FIT)

Inputs: Agent and Family Court

Date:  Ongoing


Programs/Activities

Inputs/Resources: volunteers, agents, Extension Office, program support

Time: September-August



Success Stories

Senior Meal Delivery

Author: Keenan Bishop

Major Program: Nutrition and Food Systems General

When the pandemic reached the US and we entered lock-down, the Frankfort-Franklin County Emergency Management Center asked for volunteers to donate their time, items or space - for whatever may come. Since the Franklin County Cooperative Extension Service (FCCES) was closed to the public and Extension Agents were limited in what they could provide to the public, FCCES agents agreed to offer their time and the building space, if needed.The Frankfort-Franklin County Emergency Management Center off

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4-H Election Extravaganza

Author: Krista Perry

Major Program: Civic Engagement

Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the District 4 4-H Inauguration trip scheduled for January 2021 was cancelled. The purpose of this trip was to provide 4-H youth an opportunity to visit Washington D.C. and familiarize themselves with not only our nation’s capital, but also everything that accompanies the presidential election and inauguration process. After the trip was cancelled, District 4 4-H agents felt strongly that providing civic and government educational opportunities

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Taking Virtual Learning to the Next Level

Author: Keenan Bishop

Major Program: Agriculture

With the beginning of the 2020 school year and the pandemic still in full force, Franklin County and Frankfort Independent Schools began virtual, then transitioned to a hybrid model.  With the stress of returning to school, being virtual, limited access to wifi service and adult guidance, there was a need that opened a door for the Franklin County 4-H program.  In August 2020, Franklin County 4-H began the virtual learning assistance program in collaboration with Kathy’s Place, w

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