Extension
It Starts With Us
Financial Stability
Securing Financial Stability
Emily Boggs, Alissa Ackerman
Family Development General
21st Century Skills (Career & Workplace Development)
Clay County families and youth need to promote positive personal finance behaviors to prepare Clay Countians for any future economic shift. The United States has been in an extremely long period of economic expansion however, expansions are cyclical, meaning growth is eventually followed by recession. Securing financial stability for Kentuckians will help families thrive no matter the economic outlook. Financial stability is achieved with families are able to secure and manage resources needed to supply food, clothing and shelter. Through increased financial knowledge, families may be able to make wise financial decisions, increase buying power, avoid overextended credit, develop savings habits and manage risk, and learn to better plan for their futures. 59% of Clay Countians are in the labor force. 47% of our families are below poverty level, median household income is $24,596.
-Better family money management skill, reducing debt and increasing savings and financial planning.
-Number of families reporting improved financial wellbeing due to maximizing resources to increase finances resulting in better quality of life and stronger families.
-Number of post-secondary education students increase.
-Families practice one or more resources management behaviors resulting in increased saving and investments.
-Adopt financial planning strategies for short, mid and long term financial goals.
-Youth adopt short, mid, and long term financial planning strategies.
-Families will increase knowledge and skill related to managing financial resources including savings, credit and financial planning, improve employability, through work and practical living skills.
-Youth will realize financial stability correlates with preparing for an employable future.
- Youth will demonstrate an understanding of the difference in needs and wants; spending, saving and investing.
Long term Outcome: Families report improved economic wellbeing and financial stability.
Indicator: Number of families adopting one or more practices to reduce debt or increase saving.
Method: Word of Mouth, Formal and Informal Evaluation
Timeline: 2020-2024
Intermediate Outcome: Families practice resource management behaviors resulting in increased saving and investment.
Indicator: number of families that implement at least one financial management strategy.
Method: Word of mouth, formal and informal evaluation
Timeline: 2020-2024
Initial Outcome: Clients will increase knowledge and skills related to managing financial resources.
Indicator: Number of families reporting changes in knowledge, opinions, skills or aspirations related to money management.
Method: Word of mouth, formal and informal evaluation
Timeline: 2020-2024
Initial Outcome: Understanding of difference in needs and wants, spending, saving, and investing
Indicator: Change in Survey Results
Method: Pre and Post Survey
Timeline: 2020-2024
Audience: Families
Project or Activity: Healthy Walking – Healthy Life
Content or Curriculum: Small Steps to Health & Wealth by email/ Walking Program
Inputs: Family & Consumer Science Agent
Date: 2023
Audience: Homemakers
Project or Activity: Scam Red Flags Avoiding Fraud
Content or Curriculum: UK Publication
Input: Homemaker Leader Training, UK Curriculum
Date: Mail out
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Right On the Money
Content or Curriculum: Right on the Money Curriculum
Inputs: Schools, Kindergarten, Family & Consumer Science Agent
Date: Spring 2024
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Reality Store & Dollars & Sense
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum
Inputs: Curriculum, Agents, Teachers, Community Members, School System, Facilities
Date: Fall 2023
Audience: Teens/Adults
Project or Activity: Soft Job Skills
Content or Curriculum: Soft Job Skills Curriculum
Inputs: Leaders/Agents
Date: Fall 2023
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Workforce Preparation & Career Readiness
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Workforce Curriculum
Inputs: 4-H Agent, Teachers
Date: Spring 2024
Author: Alissa Ackerman
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
Many students struggle with financial management skills and lack the knowledge when it comes to making wise financial decisions. Practicing this skill and providing more opportunities for financial literacy at an early age, can help prepare youth for a more successful future. The Clay County Extension Council identified basic budgeting skills as a top need for youth throughout the county.Local elementary schools requested the 4-H Dollars and Sense Program. Clay County 4-H, Partners for Rural Imp
