Close Resources

Contact Information

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu

Impacts

Contact Information

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu




Fiscal Year:
Jul 1, 2023 - Jun 30, 2024


Life Skill Development 2023Plan of Work

Warren County CES

Title:
Life Skill Development 2023
MAP:
Youth and Families
Agents Involved:
Kristi Shive
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Community Leadership Development
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Family Development General
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Financial Education - General
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Food Preparation and Preservation
Situation:

Life Skill Development helps individuals become leaders. Leadership is a needed and important programming emphasis for the Cooperative Extension Service. The Cooperative Extension Service provides opportunities to adults and families to help improve their leadership ability and create more positive futures. Life Skill Development opportunities for youth and adults create a setting that reduces the access of risk factors that can negatively impact their success. Basic Life Skill development are essential for success in all areas of life; professionally and personally. By assisting the development of Life Skills in youth and families, we improve their ability to face the challenges of tomorrow.

Long-Term Outcomes:
  • Communities are equipped with competent and contributing members of society. 
  • Community members engage others to initiate projects.
  • Civic engagement is possible and desirable for community members. 
  • Community problems are solved from these well-rounded individuals. 
  • Youth will be productive, contributing adults in the future. 
  • Youth will use leadership and communication skills needed to be successful in the workplace on a daily basis. 
  • Adults in rehab facilities and shelter homes with find jobs and be able to take care of their families. 
Intermediate Outcomes:
  • Citizens put skills into practice by becoming more engaged in the community.
  • Youth will increase their involvement/action.
  • Graduates of community leadership and career readiness programs will initiate civic engagement. 
  • Improved skills in communication, problem solving, or group process in addressing organizational issues and needs. 
  • Apply skills to assess needs, develop programs and implement solutions for community problems. 
  • Increase of working members of society. 
  • Knowledge gained in food preservation. 
Initial Outcomes:
  • Increase knowledge of effective leadership skills, personal development, career readiness and community leadership. 
  • Youth and adults will learn how to build a cover letter, resume, soft skills, interview skills, and more. 
  • Youth and adults will increase their knowledge about leadership and how to be an effective leader, team player and communicator. 
  • Youth and Adults will acquire skills needed to prepare them for college applications, job applications, interviews, workplace attire, and more. 
  • Citizens: Informed about community systems, better connected to communication networks, more confident and skilled in identifying and implementing strategies for career readiness opportunities. 
  • Increase confidence to preserve food and use herbs 
Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Increase Career Readiness and Soft Skills

Indicator: Number of individuals who reported: gained knowledge of workforce readiness and increased confidence in stepping into the workforce.

Method: Self-report survey

Timeline: Pre-post implementing curricula or program


Intermediate Outcome: Preserving food and using herbs

Indicator: Number of individuals who report: confidence in preserving food and how to use herbs while cooking

Method: Self-report survey

Timeline: Pre-post implementing curricula or program


Long-Term Outcome: Increase knowledge of preparing cover letter, resume, and interview skills

Indicator:  Number of individuals who reported: gained knowledge of creating cover letters, resumes, and increased confidence of interview skills.

Method: Self-report survey

Timeline: Pre-post implementing curricula or program 

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: High School Students 

Project or Activity: Adult-ing Program

Content or Curriculum: Resume and Cover Letter presentation, Interview basics, Career Readiness

Inputs: Agent’s time, Materials, Presentation, Staff Assistant’s time

Date: Spring 2022 - Fall 2023


Audience: Adults

Project or Activity: Workforce Readiness at Scholar House Apartments and BRASS

Content or Curriculum: Resume and Cover Letter presentation, Interview basics, Career Readiness

Inputs: Agent’s time, Materials, Presentation, Staff Assistant’s time

Date: Spring 2022 - Fall 2023


Audience: Adults

Project or Activity: Food preservation

Content or Curriculum: Cook Together Eat Together, Plate It Up Kentucky Proud Resources, Food preservation workshops, Monthly Leader Lessons

Inputs: Volunteers, Staff Assistant’s time, Agent’s time, Community Partners

Date: Summer 2023





Success Stories

4-H Culinary Challenge

Author: Julie Brown

Major Program: Family and Consumer Science

The Culinary Arts field of employment is one that is rapidly expanding. The employment of chefs and head cooks is projected to grow by 25 percent from 2020 to 2030. This is about 18,000 openings each year for the rest of the decade (US Department of Labor). Kentucky is no exception to this trend with large growth in hospitality and specialty restaurants surrounding the existing tourist industries connected to bourbon and horses. This growth positions young people with a passion for the culinary

Full Story

Social Outcast Joined 4-H and Achieved 4-H Emerald Award

Author: Janet Turley

Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development

Social Outcast Joined 4-H and Achieved 4-H Emerald Award

Ten years ago a socially awkward 9 year old with Asperger’s Syndrome joined 4-H. Prior to joining 4-H, this child felt like an outcast wherever he went, felt that he wasn’t given opportunities other kids got, and wasn’t expected to be a success. This all changed when he joined 4-H. He finally had a place where he had the support to succeed and grow. Fast forward 10 years, this smart, funny and intellectual teenager overcame social barriers and went places he never thought possi

Full Story