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 21^st 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

• Utilize and practice life skills in projects and life situations 
• Project a positive image and self-confidence 
• Practice responsible consumer and financial decision-making 
• Practice healthy eating choices 
• Make choices that lead to responsible and beneficial results 
• Adopt habits and skills that contribute toward employability in the future 

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

• Gain knowledge and develop skills in Family & Consumer Sciences projects and programs 
• Understand the decision-making process 
• Gain skills in setting a goal and developing a plan of action 
• Learn to read and follow instructions 

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.

• Outcome to be Evaluated
  • Youth who engage in FCS project Work
• Indicator of Success for Outcome
  • Youth complete a FCS Project
• Method of Evaluation
  • 4-H Common Measures Universal Survey

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

• Consumer & Financial Ed. 
  • Curriculum: 4-H Build a Million, Building a Healthy, Wealthy Future, Consumer Savvy, It’s Your reality , APES, Be the E
  • Training: Agent In-services
• 4-H Family Life
  • Curriculum: Babysitting Basics, Fathers Reading Every Day
  • Training: Agent In-services
• 4-H Fashion
  • Curriculum: Fashion Magic, Fashion Forward
  • Training: Agent In-services
• 4-H Food Preparation & Nutrition 
  • Curriculum: Super Star Chef, Teen Cuisine, 4-H Cooking, Jump into Food and Fitness, Put it up, International Foods, Exploring MyPlate, Wellness in Kentucky, What’s on Your plate, Literacy, Eating, and Activity for Primary (LEAP)  
  • Training: Agent In-services
• 4-H Home Environment 
  • Curriculum: Manners in the real world, Exploring your home, Living with others, where I live, in my home, Home energy detective
  • Training: Agent In-services
• 4-H Needlework 
  • Curriculum: 4-H Needlework Notebook
  • Training: Agent In-services
• 4-H Sewing & Textiles 
  • Curriculum: Style Engineers, Keeping 4-H in Stitches. Upcycle it, Steam Clothing,  
  • Training: Agent In-services

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

Time: September-August

Success Stories