Mason County CES

Title:

Jobs and Infrastructure

MAP:

Jobs and Infrastructure

Agents Involved:

FCS Agent, Macy Fawns, 4-H Agent

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Economic Development

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Financial Education - General

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Positive Employability

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Master Gardener

Situation:

The community needs assessment from both Mason County and Kentucky as well as the Mason CEC recognized jobs and infrastructure as a top priority. They have asked for focus or improvement on more qualified employees for existing and new jobs, financial classes, and economic development.

In the United States, only one-third of high school seniors are college-ready and work-ready. Youth experience a lack of meaningfulness in civic experiences. Civic engaged· youth are more likely to register to vote, write to a public official, investigate compelling political issues, participate in lawful demonstrations, and boycott certain products or stores. Youth in the United States are below the international average in their understanding of the role of a citizen and citizens' political rights.

When someone is sentenced for a crime, they serve their time, and society hopes they learned their lesson, but life beyond prison can be difficult. The re-offense rate is high as less than 30% of inmates have a job once released. However, 97% of inmate’s report a job would help reduce that change of returning to prison. Horticulture programs provide inmates with education and skills that help with post-release life and employability.

Long-Term Outcomes:

• Adults and youth will gain and maintain employment based on the skills learned through FCS Extension programming.
• More effective employees and community leaders.
• Improved financial capability for Kentuckians, results in better quality of life and stronger families.
• Youth who participate in 4-H career and workforce development programs will fulfill their education and career goals.
• Inmates who participate in the Master Gardener program will gain a career in horticulture.

Intermediate Outcomes:

• Adults and youth will demonstrate skills learned through FCS Extension programs during interviews. 
• Practice better employee “soft/essential skills” such as communication, networking, teamwork, time management, problem-solving, etc.
• Improve employability through practical living skills and continued education practices.
• Youth that participate in 4-H career and workforce development programs will pursue a college or career path they learned about and gained interest in through 4-H.
• Inmates who participate in the Master Gardener program will grow a garden for profit after they are released from the detention center.

Initial Outcomes:

• Adults and youth will exhibit new skills and knowledge learned through program evaluations. 
• Change knowledge, opinions, skills, and aspirations, to improve employability through work and practical living skills and continuing education practices.
• Youth that participate in 4-H career and workforce development programs will learn about opportunities in college and career fields after high school.
• Inmates who participate in the Master Gardener program complete the program to earn their certificate and gain new skills.

Evaluation:

Outcome:  Increased awareness of sound financial behaviors

Indicator(s): Number of individuals who implemented at least one strategy to reduce expenses or manage money Number of individuals who made a sound financial decision (regarding credit, budgeting, savings, and/or debt)

Method:  Retroactive pre-post

Timeline:  Following financial education workshops

Outcome:  Increase knowledge and skills related to managing financial resources

Indicator(s):  Number of individuals reporting increased levels of understanding in the area: confidence in handling money issues or specific financial matters

Method:  Retroactive pre-post

Timeline:  Following financial education workshops

Outcome:  Networking Skills

Indicator(s):  Number of individuals reporting increased levels of confidence in the area: participate in a productive business conversation (Networking for Success)

Method:  Pre/Post Evaluation

Timeline:  Following Positive Employability

Initial Outcome:  Male inmates who participate in Master Gardener program gain horticulture employment skills  

Indicator(s): Number of master gardener volunteers who believe they developed skills they can use in other areas of their lives

Method: Observation & interviews  

Timeline: 2021

Intermediate Outcome:   Male inmates who participate in Master Gardener program apply for jobs

Indicator(s): Number of master gardener volunteers who believe they developed skills they can use in other areas of their lives

Method: Observation & phone surveys 

Timeline: 2021

Long-term Outcome: Male inmates who participate in Master Gardener program gain employment 

Indicator(s): Number of master gardener volunteers who believe they developed skills they can use in other areas of their lives

Method: Interviews and surveys 

Timeline: 2021

Outcome: Youth who participate in 4-H career and workforce development programs will fulfill their education and career goals.

Indicator(s): Number of youth who indicated it is important for them to do their job well (Common Measures – PR 6)

Method: Pre & Post Evaluations

Timeline: 2021

Outcome: Youth that participate in 4-H career and workforce development programs will learn about opportunities in college and career fields after high school.

Indicator(s): Number of youth who toured the University of Kentucky through 4-H

Method: Pre & Post Evaluations

Timeline: 2021

Outcome: Youth that participate in 4-H career and workforce development programs will pursue a college or career path they learned about and gained interest in through 4-H.

Indicator(s): Number of youth who indicated it is important to arrive on time for work (Common Measures – PR 4)

Method:  Pre & Post Evaluations

Timeline: 2021

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Older youth and adults

Project or Activity: Positive Employability

Content or Curriculum: Positive Employability

Inputs: FCS Agent

Dates: Spring 2022 

Audience: Youth and Adults

Project or Activity: Financial classes

Content or Curriculum: Money Habitudes and The Good Credit Game

Inputs: Money Habitudes curriculum, The Good Credit Game curriculum, FCS Agent, MCHS high school teacher, St. Pat teachers

Date: Spring 2022

Audience: Adults

Project or Activity: Financial Classes for Emergency Preparedness

Content or Curriculum: Money Habitudes, Budgeting, The Good Credit Game, the bean game

Inputs: FCS Agent

Dates: Winter 2021-22

Audience: High school students

Project or Activity: 4-H Teen Leadership Academy

Content or Curriculum:  4-H curriculum, UK research based information

Inputs: State specialist, 4-H Agent, 4-H council, community based collaborators, hands on lessons/activities/projects

Date: Monthly during school year

Audience: Male adults in Mason County Detention Center

Project or Activity: Master Gardener program

Content or Curriculum: Master Gardener curriculum

Inputs: Jailer, Department of Corrections, Horticulture Agent, UK specialists, manuals

Date: 2021

Success Stories