Bourbon County CES

Title:

Educating Youth and Adults on Life Skills, safety, personal and family development

MAP:

Enhance Life Skills and Consumer Awareness

Agents Involved:

Carter, Denniston, Tackett, Arthur

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

21st Century Skills (Career & Workplace Development)

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Financial Education - General

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Food Preparation and Preservation

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Family Development General

Situation:

4-H Youth Development is part of Kentucky Cooperative Extension. Extension’s mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of Kentucky citizens through non-formal education for the entire family. Extension agents and volunteers take the results of university research and explain it in such a way that different age groups can learn and apply the information to their own lives. 4-H is a youth organization committed to building outstanding leaders with marketable skills to succeed in today’s global society. 4-H empowers youth to reach their full potential, working and learning in partnership with caring adults. According to the Kentucky Department of Education (2018-2019), the graduation rate for Kentucky students was 91.1%, which did not meet the state goal of 95%.   Research also shows us developing a strong sense of personal identity, responsibility, caring, compassion, and tolerance are essential first steps toward being engaged at the community level (National 4-H Council) Research consistently shows a correlation between involvement in the arts, academic success and civic engagement Kentucky 4-H Youth Development has an opportunity to fill this void across the Commonwealth.

In the United States, only 1/3 of high school seniors are college-ready.  Only 1/3 of high school graduates are work-ready

Kentucky Student Transitions - (2016-2017)

College        54.7%

Technical Training    5%

Military            3%

Working        23.4%

Other            13.8%

Sources: Kentucky Dept of Education (2019)  US Dept of Education (2019) 

Promote positive personal finance behaviors prepares Kentuckians 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 when 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 risks.

96,000 children in Kentucky live in kinship care.  Kentucky ranks first in the nation for the most children in kinship care settings in the country.  15,000 children are in kinship care due to removal from their home.   Kinship care providers need support.

Long-Term Outcomes:

• Youth will contribute to self, family, community and to the institutions of our society.
• Youth will have reduced risky behavior now and in the future.
• 4-H alumni will be successful in a global society.
• 4-H youth will successfully enter the workplace and/or institution of higher learning
• Youth utilize the skills gained through education and involvement in Extension programs to serve as leaders in 4-H and other organizations.
• Youth share the elements of the music, dance, drama and visual arts with their community.
• Youth become more comfortable sharing their thoughts with others.
• Youth develop into competent, capable, contributing adults as a result of their participation in 4-H Communications & Expressive Arts Programs
• Gainful employment in rewarding careers 
• Lower unemployment rates 
• Full participation in local and state community 
• Better family money management skills, such as reducing debt, increasing savings, and financial planning.
• More effective employees and community leaders.
• Improved financial capability for Kentuckians, results in better quality of life and stronger families.
• Improve academic success for children in Bourbon County   

Intermediate Outcomes:

• Successful completion of post-secondary programs
• Entry into careers of choice
• Lower amounts of student loan debts
• Youth will use scientific decision making techniques to make decisions on a daily basis.
• Youth will express themselves to others in group settings and on an individual bases.
• Youth have a positive bond with a caring adult who believe in their success.
• Youth apply the skills learned in 4-H in other activities at home, school and in the community.
• Youth construct a speech that has a clear introduction, body and closing.
• Youth present before their family, a group of their peers (such as at a 4-H club meeting), a school or county qualifying event.
• Youth demonstrate an increased level of confidence when presenting in front of groups.
• Youth use their communication skills to assume a leadership role in 4-H or other organizations.
• Youth apply elements of music, dance, drama and visual arts in creating and performing.
• Youth set and achieve goals through a 4-H program.
• Practice one or more resource management behaviors resulting in increased savings or investments.
• Adopt financial planning strategies for short-, mid-, and long-term goals
• Increase child and parent social-emotional skills such as heightened self-awareness, responsible decision making, and self-management.
• Increase caregiver advocacy for children in their care including legal, medical, social, and educational services
• Increase access of community services to caregivers 

Initial Outcomes:

• Better alignment with expectations with Schools, Post-secondary Institutions, and Businesses
• Increased participation in local and state 4-H Programs   
• Higher graduation rates 
• Increased entry into post-secondary programs 
• Increased access to financial aid 
• Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the decision making process.
• Youth learn skills need to communicate with others.
• Adult mentors will understand elements of positive youth development.
• Youth learn and develop life skills though 4-H. .
• Youth learn steps in goal setting and developing a plan of action.
• Youth research a presentation topic prior to developing a speech or demonstration.
• Youth write an outline, including an introduction, body and conclusion for their speech or demonstration.
• Youth create a formal presentation, speech or outline using the written outline.
• Youth be prepared to present before their family, a group of their peers(such as at a 4-H club meeting) and a school or county qualifying event.
• Youth can identify key elements of music, dance, drama and visual arts.
• 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.
• Increase financial literacy (knowledge and skills) related to savings and investments.
• Increase awareness of indicators of high-risk adolescent behaviors 
• Identify key points of adolescent development
• Establish realistic expectations for teen behavior, and explore changing relationships within families 

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Increase in  College and Career Readiness

Indicator:  Number of 4-H Members and Participants in College and Career Educational Programs 

Method: Recorded attendance in events

Timeline: year round

Intermediate Outcome:  Students demonstrate knowledge of interview and resume writing skills

Indicator:Number of youth participating in workshops

Method: surveys

Timeline:year round

Long-term Outcome:  High School Graduates College and  Career Ready

Indicator:

• Number of 4-H Members and Participants completing and using Resume and Interview Skills
• Number of 4-H Members and Participants completing post-secondary education
•  Number of 4-H Members and Participants entering the workforce 

Method:

Timeline: May 2024

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: 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:  Increase knowledge and skills related to 

estate planning

Indicator: Number of individuals who took action toward 

implementing at least one estate planning strategy in regard to the subject matter presented

Method:  Retroactive pre-post 

Timeline:  Following financial education workshops

Outcome: Increase child and parent social-emotional skills such as heightened self-awareness, responsible decision making, and self-management.

Indicator: How many children increased their ability to express emotion after attending the program?

Method:  Stories, Songs, and Stretches Survey

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 

Learning Opportunities:

Audience:  Youth

Project or Activity: 4-H Shooting Sports Education Club

Content or Curriculum: State Curriculum

Inputs: agents, state shooting sports, KY Hunter ed

Date: year round

Activity: 4-H Communications Program

Content or Curriculum: State curriculum

Date: November, March & April

Audience: Tweens and Teens

Activity: 4-H Middle & High Teen Program

Content or Curriculum: State curriculum

Date: Year round

Audience: 5th grade students

Activity: 4-H Dollars & Sense Program

Content or Curriculum: Dollars & Sense Curriculum

Date: January

Audience: Youth

Activity: 4-H Sewing and Needlework Workshops

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Core Curriculum

Inputs: agents

Date: year round

Audience: Youth - 13 and up

Activity: 4-H Babysitting Workshop

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Core Curriculum

Inputs: agents, community resources

Date: May 2024

Audience: High School Jr.& Sr.

Activity: Survival 101 for High School Seniors

Content: 4-H Curriculum, FCS materials

Input: Agents, Volunteers, Community partners

Date: 2024

Audience: 5th graders

Project or Activity:Recipe for Life

Content or Curriculum: State curriculum - Recipe for Life

Inputs:All agents time, organization and monitoring

Date: Fall 2023

Audience: 5-8 year olds

Project or Activity: 4-H Cloverbuds

Content or Curriculum: State Curriculum

Inputs: agents, state staff, volunteers

Date: year round

Audience: Adults, young adults, and teens

Project or Activity: Money Habitudes Workshop

Content or Curriculum: Money Habitudes

Inputs: FCS Agent, curriculum publications and resources, Money Habitudes cards

Date:  Winter

 

Project or Activity: Credit Education 

Content or Curriculum: Good Credit Game

Inputs: FCS Agent, curriculum publications and resources, Good Credit Game set

Date:  January 2024

Audience: Adults

Project or Activity: Estate Planning Workshop

Content or Curriculum: Estate Planning

Inputs: FCS Specialist (family finance and resource management), curriculum publications and resources, and local partners such as an attorney, CPA and/or financial planner

Date: 2023

Audience: Recovery Centers

Project or Activity: Financial Education

Content or Curriculum: Recovering Your Finances

Inputs: Coordination with community stakeholders

Date:  January

Audience: Parents and/or Caregivers for Youth

Project or Activity:  Parenting/Family Development

Content or Curriculum: Stories, Songs, and Stretches

Inputs: FCS Agent, Local Preschool, Library

Date: On-Going

Audience: Kinship Caregivers

Project or Activity:  Relatives as Parents Program

Content or Curriculum: Parenting a Second Time Around,  AARP Prepare to Care

Inputs: FCS Agent, community partners, schools FRYSC

Date: Monthly 2023-24

Success Stories