Extension
It Starts With Us
Family Resource Management & Workforce Preparation
Youth and Families
Paul Sizemore, Carissa Miske
Family Development General
Financial Education - General
Communications
FCS Employment Skills
The Kentucky Extension Community Assessment Statewide Report 2019 indicates that money management for families and youth and employee “soft/essential skills” training continue to be important issues statewide. Research conducted by Harvard University, the Carnegie Foundation, and Stanford Research Center indicates 85% of job success comes from having well developed soft and people skills, and only 15% of job success comes from technical skills and knowledge (hard skills).
“School readiness” is a broad term that refers to multiple precursor cognitive, physical, and social-emotional skills that indicate young children are prepared to learn and thrive in the school environment. In 2019-2020 according to Kids County data, 46.8% of Owsley County children are deemed “school-ready” when they enter Kindergarten. These numbers indicate a need for more activities that support school-readiness by building multiple skill sets simultaneously. The Owsley County Headstart Program has 101 children enrolled for 2020-2021. The Owsley County Early Headstart has an enrollment of 48 for 2020-2021. The Owsley County Home Based Head Start has an enrollment of 24 as well for 2020-2021.
Providing youth with the ability to enhance and develop communication skills is of great importance in Kentucky. The development of communications skills is one of the preeminent skills necessary to grow as an individual, a community member and a leader. The public elementary school consists of Kindergarten-fifth grade with enrollment for 2020-2021 totaling 303 students. The public high/middle school consists of grades 6-12 with enrollment for 2020-2021 totaling 352 students. One hundred percent of the public elementary school and middle/high school students receive free lunch. The county has one private Christian school which consists of 20 students K-12. By using age appropriate activities, educators can maximize the ability of youth to develop their writing, reading and personal communication capacities.
Healthy couple and parenting relationships and resulting family stability benefit the well-being of adults and children. Co-habiting, divorced, widowed and single households are the new majority with many children living in kinship care. Children who live absent from their biological fathers are two to three times more likely to be poor, to experience educational, health, emotional and behavioral problems than their peers who live with their married, biological (or adoptive) parents. According to 2019 Kentucky By The Numbers, 39.2 percent of Owsley County families live in poverty. Children who live in poverty are more likely to have learning disabilities and developmental delays. Through increased school-readiness, life skills education and increased financial knowledge among Owsley County youth and adults we can improve the quality of life and stronger family systems.
*More effective employees and community leaders.
*Increase the number of children who are “kindergarten ready” in the state of Kentucky.
*Improved financial capability for Kentuckians, results in better quality of life and stronger families.
*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.
*Increase opportunities and access to more preschool learning activities outside of the home.
*Increase number of children who are “kindergarten ready” in Owsley County.
*Practice one or more resource management behaviors resulting in increased savings or investments.
*Change knowledge, opinions, skills, and aspirations, to improve employability through work and practical living skills and continuing education practices.
*Kentuckians understand the importance of developmentally appropriate play to their child’s academic success.
*Increased knowledge and skills related to managing financial resources, including savings, credit, and financial planning.
*Change knowledge, opinions, skills, and aspirations, to improve employability through work and practical living skills and continuing education practices.
*Youth will gain knowledge in researching, preparing and presenting a speech or demonstration.
Outcome: Improved workforce communication
Indicator: Number of individuals who reported the intent to utilize etiquette practices to improve verbal, written, and electronic communication practices (Communicating Effectively)
Indicator: Number of individuals reporting increased levels of understanding in the area: demonstrate strong verbal and nonverbal communications (Conveying Your Message)
Method: Pre/Post Evaluation
Timeline: Following Positive Employability
Outcome: Increase number of children who are “kindergarten ready” in Owsley County.
Indicator: Several – (i.e. How many parents report improved gross motor skills, social-emotional skills, and early literacy skills?)
Method: Kentucky Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Kindergarten Readiness Results
Timeline: July- June
Outcome: Increase skills and resources of caregivers to provide effective care for young relatives.
Indicator: Several – (i.e. How many caregivers improve skills/knowledge in child development, discipline and guidance, legal issues, and advocacy)
Method: Parenting a Second Time Around (PASTA) Evaluation
Timeline: Post program evaluation
Outcome: Increase knowledge and skills related to managing financial resources.
Indicator: 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
Audience: Preschool aged children and their parent(s)
Project or Activity: Laugh & Learn Program
Content or Curriculum: Laugh and Learn Playdate Program
Inputs: FCS Agent
Date: Monthly throughout 2023-2024
Audience: Kinship Caregivers
Project or Activity: Various
Content or Curriculum: Parenting a Second Time Around, Life Story/Memory Banking, Traditions, AARP Prepare to Care
Inputs: FCS Agent
Date: 2023-2024
Audience: Working-age adult and young adults preparing for the workforce
Project or Activity: Workforce Preparation & Adulting Program
Content or Curriculum: FCS Extension Resources & Curriculum, Money Habitudes, Financial Education
Inputs: FCS Agent
Date: 2023-2024
Audience: Working-age adult and young adults preparing for the workforce
Project or Activity: 10 Soft Skills for Success
Content or Curriculum: Positive Employability
Inputs: FCS agent, curriculum publications and resources, community leaders
Timeline: 2023-2024
Audience: 8th, 10th & 11th Grade Students
Project or Activity: 4-H Reality Store
Content or Curriculum: CES Curriculum & Publications
Inputs: FCS Agent, Ag Agent, 4-H Agent, community volunteers
Timeline: Spring 2024
Audience: Owsley County Extension Homemakers
Project or Activity: KEHA Monthly Lunch-N-Learns
Content or Curriculum: FCS Extension Lesson Resources, FCS Curriculum
Inputs: Area FCS Agents
Date: Monthly
Audience: New or Expectant parents
Project or Activity: Parent Academy
Content or Curriculum: Keys to Great Parenting/CES resources
Inputs: FCS Agent, Community Partners,EFNEP Assistant
Date: Spring 2024
Audience: Youth ages 9-18
Project or Activity: Communications Events (Talk Meet & Demonstrations)
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Communication resources
Inputs: School District, FCS Agent, Ag Agent, 4-H Agent
Date: 2023-2024
Audience: Youth ages 9-18
Project or Activity: 4-H Camp
Content or Curriculum: J.M. Feltner 4-H Camp
Inputs: Camp Staff, 4-H Agent, Volunteers
Date: Summer 2024
Author: Carissa Miske
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
Statistics and general public feedback show that many students don’t have the financial knowledge and skills to make healthy financial decisions. Money management and career path development are both important areas that need to be addressed among our youth population, so they are better equipped to make healthier financial decisions. The local Middle and High School requested the 4-H Reality Store program. The 4-H Reality Store program is a real-life simulation that allows the stude
Author: Rosa Smith
Major Program: Child Development General
The ProblemOwsley County, KY, faces significant challenges with kindergarten readiness. Statistics indicate that many children in the area are not adequately prepared to start school, impacting their long-term educational success. Data from the Owsley County Head Start center reveals that only 35% of children are considered ready for kindergarten. Additionally, there is a substantial need for daycare services in the county, with many families lacking access to affordable and quality early childh
