Extension
It Starts With Us
Planning for the future, financially
Financial Education
Raymer, Shadrick, Green
Financial Education - General
The consequences of the Great Recession and the extended period of slow economic growth which followed, encouraged Kentuckians to become more aware of their financial situation. Kentucky consistently lags behind other areas of the United States in key household economic indicators, including: personal income, population living below the poverty line, unemployment, and revolving debt. In Webster County 18.7% of families with children were below the poverty level in 2015 according to The American Community Survey. Webster County also has an unemployment rate of 5.6%. It is important to acknowledge the impact of current economic conditions on family financial management. The goal of the Securing Financial Stability Initiative is to help Kentuckians understand and respond to changing economic conditions, while promoting healthy financial behaviors across the lifespan.
Maximize or extend resources to maintain or increase families financials.
Number of individuals reporting improved family financial stability and economic well-being.
Number of individuals who avoided breaches in personal or financial security.
Improved the quality of their life resulting in a stronger family
Adopt one or more short, mid and long term financial planning strategies.
Practice one or more resource management behavior(s) resulting in increased savings or investments
Apply practical living skills to advance education or employability
Examine personal and financial stability on a regular basis (at least annually).
Participants will show increased knowledge and skills related to managing available financial and non-financial resources. (Social marketing and Program participants)
Teens and young adults will simulate life situations to recognize importance of education and employability skills.
Participants will identify short, medium and long term personal goals and objectives related to maintaining and improving their financial stability.
Initial Outcome: Individuals report increased level of understanding in the area: confidence in handling money issues or specific financial matters.
Indicator: answer questions
Method: Evaluation, verbal response
Timeline: immediately after program
Intermediate Outcome: Individuals implemented at least one strategy to reduce expenses or manage money
Indicator: verbal
Method: Follow up evaluation
Timeline: 6 months after program
Long-term Outcome: participants establishing retirement and estate plans, savings account and changed spending habits
Indicator: number of families establishing savings and retirement and estate plans, verbal
Method: follow up evaluations, follow up program
Timeline: one year after program
Audience:7th graders, Teenagers and Adults, KTapp workers at apartment complex
Project or Activity: Capstone learning center program, Reality Store/It's Your Reality, Money Habitudes
Content or Curriculum: Money Habitudes cards and curriculum, Health and Wealth Online Challenge, Extension publications
Inputs: School system, Family Resource Coordinators, Specialist, local banks and community volunteers
Date: All school year
Audience: Webster County Families
Project or Activity: Estate Planning
Content or Curriculum: MITT, UK specialist
Inputs: UK specialist, local attorney
Date: Winter 2023/2024
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: BE The “E” Club
Content or Curriculum: Be the “E” Member Curriculum
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, program assistants, specialists and volunteers
Date: 2023 program year
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Dollars and Sense program
Content or Curriculum: Dollars and Sense curriculum
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents and facilities, public schools, family resource centers, volunteer leadership, community and business leadership
Date: 2023 program year
Author: Natalie Green
Major Program: Economic Development and Workforce Preparation - FCS
According to the US Census Bureau’s 2022 American Community 5 year Estimates of Webster County, KY, 46.4% of the population obtained a High School Diploma or equivalent, 18.5% have completed some college, no degree, 9.3% completed an Associate’s degree, 7.2% completed a Bachelor’s degree, and 4.2% have completed a Graduate or professional degree. One of the most common reasons for not furthering education is due to the expense of college. The FCS Agent was approached by F
