Fostering Life Skills Education in Youth and FamiliesPlan of Work

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Daviess County CES

Title:
Fostering Life Skills Education in Youth and Families
MAP:
Youth and Families Life Skills
Agents Involved:
Alexander, Dunn, Potts
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Financial Education - General
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
21st Century Skills (Career & Workplace Development)
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Family and Consumer Science
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Leadership
Situation:

The start of 4-H came about in the early 1900’s as a way to provide hands-on learning to youth so that they may share the learned skills with their families.  Today, 4-H is known as one of the largest youth development organizations in the country.  As many families in Daviess County live within broken homes, with 436 of every 1000 youth in foster care, 21% of children living in poverty, and a 45 of every 1000 juvenile incarceration rate, the need for both youth and families to gain valuable life skills has never been greater.  As guardians strive to meet family needs in single-parent households, 36% of homes with children in Daviess County, there is little time to teach these skills at home.  As many schools no longer include family and consumer science classes in their curriculum, youth must learn these skills elsewhere.  4-H is able to utilize in-school, after-school, club, and camp settings to engage and educate youth in these areas.  Additionally, the Family and Consumer Sciences program provides parents, guardians, caregivers, and young adults with parenting skills, financial education, and estate planning, as city and county schools respectively show the following statistics for age-appropriate youth; 42.8% and 56.7% are kindergarten ready, 48.1% and 59.5% display 4th grade reading level preparedness, 47.2% and 48.4% are 8th grade math proficient, and 84.1% and 92.3% graduate high school on time. 

*Source: Kentucky Kids Count Survey 

Long-Term Outcomes:
Intermediate Outcomes:


  

Initial Outcomes:
Evaluation:


Long-term Outcome: Development in life skills in youth and families

Indicator: Youth and families will make decision to improve independence and resiliency

Method: Observation, written pre/post surveys, personal testimonies

Timeline: School year, duration of the program

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Youth Ages 9-18

Project or Activity: Cooking, Food Safety, Nutrition

Content or Curriculum: Super Star Chef, Fantastic Foods, Luv-an-Eff, Put it Up! Food Preservation, Cooking 101-401, What's on Your Plate?

Inputs: 4-H Agents, 4-H Program Assistant

Date: School Year 2020-2021


Audience: Youth Ages 9-18

Project or Activity: 4-H Camp

Content or Curriculum: West KY 4-H Camping Curriculum

Inputs: 4-H Agents, West KY 4-H Camping Faculty

Date: June/July 2021


Audience: Elementary School Youth Ages 9-12

Project or Activity: Progressive Agriculture Youth Safety Day

Content or Curriculum: Progressive Ag Safety Materials, Approved Curriculum

Inputs: 4-H Agents, 4-H Program Assistant, Extension Volunteers

Date: 2021


Audience: Youth Ages 9-18

Project or Activity: Project Day Camps

Content or Curriculum: Approved 4-H Curriculum

Inputs: 4-H Agents, 4-H Program Assistant, Extension Volunteers

Date: Summer 2021


Audience: Youth Ages 9-18

Project or Activity: Shooting Sports

Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H Shooting Sports Approved Curriculum

Inputs: 4-H Agent, Certified 4-H Shooting Sports Coaches

Date: October 2020-September 2021


Audience: Youth Ages 16-19

Project or Activity: Adulting 101

Content or Curriculum:Approved 4-H Curriculum

Inputs: Daviess County Extension Agents, volunteers

Date: Spring 2021


Audience: Recovery Center participants, youth Ages 9-18

Project or Activity: Financial lessons, credit score, budgeting

Content or Curriculum: Money Habitudes, CreditWise, Needs v. Wants

Inputs: Extension Agent

Date: Fall 2020


Audience: Individuals and Families

Project or Activity: Beginning Vegetable Gardening

Content or Curriculum: Extension Publications

Inputs: Agent and Extension Master Gardeners

Date: February/March 2021


Audience: College Students

Project or Activity: It's Your Reality

Content or Curriculum: It's Your Reality

Inputs: Extension Agents, Volunteers

Date: 2020/2021




Success Stories

Concept of mastery taught through the 4-H Feeder Calf Project

Author: Stacey Potts

Major Program: Agriculture

Concept of Mastery taught through the 4-H Feeder Calf Project “In order to develop self-confidence, youth need to feel and believe they are capable, and they must experience success at solving problems and meeting challenges.  By exploring 4-H projects and activities, youth master skills to make positive career and life choices.  Additionally, youth need to have a safe environment for making mistakes and getting feedback, not just through competition, but also as an ongoing

Full Story

4-H Stress Busters Virtual Spin Club

Author: Stacey Potts

Major Program: Health

A new survey commissioned by National 4-H Council, and conducted by the Harris Poll, finds that 7 in 10 teens are struggling with their mental health in the wake of COVID-19. More than half of those surveyed shared that the pandemic has increased their feelings of loneliness, with 64 percent believing it will have a lasting impact on their mental health. The survey, conducted in May 2020, is among the first to examine the impact this unprecedented public health crisis has had on U.S. teens. (4-H

Full Story

4-H & Landsafe Equestrian Clinic Works to Reduce Rider Injury

Author: Stacey Potts

Major Program: Agriculture

According to the 2012 Kentucky Equine Survey, there are approximately 1400 horses and ponies in Daviess County.   Over the past 10 years, Daviess County 4-H has had approximately 87 youth participate in equine programs, club events, shows and other competitions.  Nearly 50% of all sports-related traumatic brain injuries are equestrian related.  According to the CDC, the rate of serious injury per number of riding hours is estimated to be higher for horseback riders than for motorc

Full Story

4-H Sewing Leads to Civic Engagement

Author: Stacey Potts

Major Program: Civic Engagement

Kentucky 4-H focuses on eight essential elements of positive youth development and the 4-H sewing project works toward the essential element of mastery.   The primary goal of the Kentucky 4-H Sewing program is to teach youth about the art and skill of creating useful items using needle and thread.  This includes not only the use of a hand needle and thread, but also the sewing machine and serger.  Sewing can be used to create clothing and wardrobe essentials, as well as usefu

Full Story

4-H Teen Board Encourages 4-H Camp Volunteers

Author: Stacey Potts

Major Program: Leadership

Continued engagement of high school aged 4-H teens was the goal when the Daviess County 4-H Teen Board was established in 2019.  The 4-H Teen Board provides high school aged 4-Her’s further education in the areas of college and career readiness, leadership and communications.  Members have assisted with decision-making for the 4-H program and elected officers; some serving their first time in that role.   Additionally, it provides an opportunity for the 4-H Teens to continue

Full Story

Certified Arborist Preparation Training Benefited the Community

Author: Annette Heisdorffer

Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial

Managing trees and shrubs on city property can be time consuming and costly, especially if not managed properly.  The Daviess County Cooperative Extension Service and City of Owensboro partnered to offer the Certified Arborist Preparation Training at the request of the City Grounds Manager.  The grounds manager wanted to become a Certified Arborist and to teach the employees he supervises how to properly prune and manage trees in parks, along streets, and in sports complexes owned by t

Full Story

Extension Master Gardener Program Builds Leaders and Contributes to the Community

Author: Annette Heisdorffer

Major Program: Master Gardener

The Extension Master Gardener Program develops leadership skills and contributes to the community.   A strategic plan was developed by the Extension Master Gardeners, with the help of Dr. Nicole Breazeale, Department of Community and Leadership Development, and the horticulture agent to make the most impact with the volunteers’ time in the community through horticultural programs. The plan was started with a Ripple Effect Mapping session attend by 29 Green River Area Extension Master

Full Story
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