Jefferson County CES

Title:

Educating & Empowering Individuals and Families to Make Responsible Choices and Develop Life Skills

MAP:

Developing Life Skills

Agents Involved:

C. Hall, K. Smith, J. Palmer

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Horticulture, Consumer and Home

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Community Engagement

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

21st Century Skills (Career & Workplace Development)

Situation:

Developing life skills and making responsible, healthy choices can have a profound impact on family stability, individual well-being and community sustainability. Budgeting, interpersonal relationships, communication, family management and other skills are necessary for success. 
 
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. These indicators, especially unemployment numbers became more exaggerated during the period of the Great Recession. However, at present economist are cautiously optimistic regarding future economic forecasts. 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. 
 

The development of life skills, like leadership, allows youth to cope with their environment by making responsible decisions, having a better understanding of their values, and being better able to communicate and get along with others. (Boyd, Herring & Briers, 1992, Journal of Extension). Almost 30 percent of youth in the United States (or over 5.7 million) are to be involved in bullying as a bully, a target of bullying or both. A troubling statistic that needs to be addressed. 

Youth participating in experiential learning opportunities coupled with setting goals, solving problems, and making wise decisions will help students develop their leadership skills, and in turn will provide them with the necessary skills for leading a successful life (Boyd, 2001).  

Healthy couple and parenting relationships and resulting family stability benefit the well-being of adults and children. Furthermore, children who start kindergarten with delayed development and fewer assets are by far more likely to repeat grades, get tracked into lower-tier classes and drop out of high school than more advantaged children. 

Boyd, B.L. (2011). Bringing leadership experiences to inner-city youth. Journal of Extension [Online]. 39(4). Available:  https://www.joe.org/joe/2001august/a6.php  

Long-Term Outcomes:

• Youth and adults will demonstrate the understanding of diversity, inclusivity, and multiculturalism in their daily life. 

• Youth will use leadership and communications skills needed to be successful in the workplace on a daily basis. 

• Create safe homes within environments that promote and support the physical and mental well-being of families throughout the life cycle.  

• Youth will develop into competent, capable, contributing adults as important developmental assets are met through their participation in Extension programs. 

• Youth and adults will be responsible and contributing individuals and family members, gain and maintain employment through life skill development and contribute to a safe, pleasant and productive home and family.  

• Youth and adults will learn to manage personal finances, make wise financial decisions and understand long-term financial stability. 

• Youth and adults make more informed consumer decisions that result in increased family economic stability. 

Intermediate Outcomes:

• Youth and adults will reduce stress levels by building personal strengths, self-control, interpersonal communication, life skills including wise decision-making. 

• Reported using preventive and positive discipline techniques in response to misbehavior and settling and enforcing logical consequences. 

• Practice skills to strengthen and sustain relationships.  

• Increased adoption and mastery of healthy behaviors that lead to a healthy lifestyle that include making healthy lifestyle choices, not engaging in risky behavior and handling stress. 

• Practice healthy lifestyle decision – making that strengthen individuals’ ability to cope with normal life stressors. 

Initial Outcomes:

• Change in awareness, knowledge, opinions, skills, and attitudes needed to make informed choices regarding healthy aging. 

• Commits to using logical consequences for misbehavior. 

• Youth and adults will identify healthy lifestyle choices, risky behaviors and their consequences and healthy ways to handle stress. 

Evaluation:

• Initial Outcome: Youth and adults will identify healthy lifestyle choices, risky behaviors and their consequences and healthy ways to handle stress. 

• Indicator: Ability to identify healthy lifestyle choices 

• Method: Pre – and post – surveys 

• Timeline: Before and after program 

 

• Intermediate Outcome: Increased adoption and mastery of healthy behaviors that lead to a healthy lifestyle that include making healthy lifestyle choices, not engaging in risky behavior and handling stress. 

• Indicator: Youth and adults adopting and mastering healthy behaviors 

• Method: Pre – and post – surveys 

• Timeline: Before and after program and follow up 

 

• Long – Term Outcome: Youth will develop into competent, capable, contributing adults as important developmental assets are met through their participation in Extension programs. 

• Indicator: Youth will display skills necessary to be competent, capable, contributing adults. 

• Method: Observation and interviews 

• Timeline: End of program 

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Adults & Youth 

Project or Activity: Community Garden implementation; school garden 

Content or Curriculum: Extension publications 

Inputs: specialists; content curriculum 

Date: July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024

Program Code: 1031 

 

Audience: Adults 

Project or Activity: Community Gardens 

Content or Curriculum: CES publications 

Inputs: agents, garden space 

Date: July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024

Program Code: 1031 

 

Audience: Youth 

Project or Activity: In – School Clubs 

Content or Curriculum: Acres of Adventures, What’s on Your Plate, Exploring Food Science, Step Up to Leadership, Cooking, Keeping Fit & Healthy, Be SAFE: Affirming and Fair Environments, STEPS to a Healthy Teen, Welcome to 4 – H: New Members Guide, National 4-H Curriculum 

Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, outside funding 

Date: Sept. 2023 – Apr. 2024

Program Code: 4001 

 

Audience: Youth  

Project or Activity: Reality Store 

Content or Curriculum: Acres of Adventures, What’s on Your Plate, Exploring Food Science, Step Up to Leadership, Cooking, Keeping Fit & Healthy, Be SAFE: Affirming and Fair Environments, STEPS to a Healthy Teen, Welcome to 4 – H: New Members Guide 

Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, outside funding 

Date: Sept. 2023 – Apr. 2024

Program Code: 4031 

 

Audience: Youth  

Project or Activity: Dollars & Sense, Reality Store 

Content or Curriculum: Acres of Adventures, What’s on Your Plate, Exploring Food Science, Step Up to Leadership, Cooking, Keeping Fit & Healthy, Be SAFE: Affirming and Fair Environments, STEPS to a Healthy Teen, Welcome to 4 – H: New Members Guide 

Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, outside funding 

Date: Sept. 2023– Apr. 2024

Program Code: 4031 

 

 

Audience: Youth 

Project or Activity: Teen Summit 

Content or Curriculum: Acres of Adventures, What’s on Your Plate, Exploring Food Science, Step Up to Leadership, Cooking, Keeping Fit & Healthy, Be SAFE: Affirming and Fair Environments, Steps to a Healthy Teen, Welcome to 4 – H: New Members Guide 

Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, outside funding 

Date: Sept. 2023 – Apr. 2024

Program Code: 4041 

 

Audience: Youth  

Project or Activity: Jr. MANRRS 

Content or Curriculum: Acres of Adventures, What’s on Your Plate, Exploring Food Science, Step Up to Leadership, Cooking, Keeping Fit & Healthy, Be SAFE: Affirming and Fair Environments, STEPS to a Healthy Teen, Welcome to 4 – H: New Members Guide 

Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, outside funding 

Date: Sept. 2023 – Apr. 2024

Program Code: 4041 

 

Audience: Youth  

Project or Activity: 4-H SPIN Clubs 

Content or Curriculum: Acres of Adventures, What’s on Your Plate, Exploring Food Science, Step Up to Leadership, Cooking, Keeping Fit & Healthy, Be SAFE: Affirming and Fair Environments, STEPS to a Healthy Teen, Welcome to 4 – H: New Members Guide, National 4-H Curriculum 

Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, outside funding 

Date: Sept. 2023 – Apr. 2024

Program Code: 4001 

 

Audience: Youth  

Project or Activity: 4 – H Embryology 

Content or Curriculum: Acres of Adventures, What’s on Your Plate, Exploring Food Science, Step Up to Leadership, Cooking, Keeping Fit & Healthy, Be SAFE: Affirming and Fair Environments, STEPS to a Healthy Teen, Welcome to 4 – H: New Members Guide 

Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, outside funding 

Date: Sept. 2023 – Apr. 2024

Program Code: 4011 

 

Audience: Youth  

Project or Activity: Babysitting 

Content or Curriculum: Acres of Adventures, What’s on Your Plate, Exploring Food Science, Step Up to Leadership, Cooking, Keeping Fit & Healthy, Be SAFE: Affirming and Fair Environments, STEPS to a Healthy Teen, Welcome to 4 – H: New Members Guide 

Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, outside funding 

Date: Sept. 2023 – Apr. 2024

Program Code: 4031 

 

Audience: Youth  

Project or Activity: 4 – H Camp 

Content or Curriculum: Acres of Adventures, What’s on Your Plate, Exploring Food Science, Step Up to Leadership, Cooking, Keeping Fit & Healthy, Be SAFE: Affirming and Fair Environments, STEPS to a Healthy Teen, Welcome to 4 – H: New Members Guide 

Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, outside funding 

Date: Sept. 2023 – Apr. 2024

Program Code: 4071 

 

Audience: Extension Homemakers 

Project or Activity: TBA

Content or Curriculum: KEHA Curriculum 

Inputs: Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association (KEHA), Kentucky CES publications and resources 

Date: October 2023

Program Code: 2056 

 

Audience: Extension Homemakers 

Project or Activity: TBA

Content or Curriculum: KEHA Curriculum 

Inputs: Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association (KEHA), Kentucky CES publications and resources 

Date: December 2023

Program Code: 2066 

 

Audience: Extension Homemakers  

Project or Activity: TBA

Content or Curriculum: KEHA Curriculum 

Inputs: Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association (KEHA), Kentucky CES publications and resources 

Date: March 2024

Program Code: 2056 

 
Audience: Senior Citizens 

Project or Activity: TBA

Content or Curriculum: Keys to Embracing Aging and Stand Up to Falling 

Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) publications and resources 

Date: Spring 2024

Program Code: 2011 

 

Audience: General Public 

Project or Activity: Personal Finance 

Content or Curriculum: Real Skills for Everyday Life, Kentucky CES publications and resources 

Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service agents, volunteers. 

Date: July 2023 – June 2024

Program Code: 2056 

 

Audience: General Public 

Project or Activity: Holiday Finances 

Content or Curriculum: Stretching Your Holiday Spending, Kentucky CES publications and resources 

Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service agents 

Date: October 2023– December 2024

Program Code: 2056 

Success Stories

Jefferson County 4-H Sewing Day Camp

Author: Chanda Hall

Major Program: Family and Consumer Science

Studies indicate that sewing is not only a productive hobby and life skill, but it can also reduce stress and increase an individual’s feeling of self-worth. The Jefferson County 4-H Agents, 4-H assistants, and a County Master Clothing Volunteers planned a sewing Day Camp for 18 youth.  This program was a free 2-day camp.  Students learned beginning sewing skills, sewing machine functions and use, textile construction, recycling of material, and nutrition. Guiding the youth

Full Story

Learning more than Sewing

Author: Kelly Smith

Major Program: Family and Consumer Science

Studies indicate that sewing is not only a productive hobby and life skill, but it can also reduce stress and increase an individual’s feeling of self-worth. The Jefferson County 4-H Agents, 4-H assistants, and a County Master Clothing Volunteer planned a sewing Day Camp for 18 youth.  This program was a free 2-day camp.  Students learned beginning sewing skills, sewing machine functions and use, textile construction, recycling of material, and nutrition.Guiding the youth through

Full Story

Family Camping

Author: Kelly Smith

Major Program: Agriculture & Natural Resources

For the first time ever, Jefferson County 4-H hosted 13 families from both Eisenhower and Elementary Schools at Jefferson Memorial Forest!  A partnership with JCPS Family Resource Centers, Accelerating Hills, Eisenhower PTA, and 4-H volunteers made this dream a reality.  13 families and 5 volunteers totaling 56 people in attendance.    Through hands-on experience, reflection, and transferable skill development, the Jefferson County 4-H program fostered transformative educatio

Full Story

Newburg Middle Taste Test

Author: Von Barnes

Major Program: Local Food Systems

The problem students aren't familiar with eating locally.The educational program response a majority of the class.The participants/target audience were Newburg Middle School students. Other partners (if applicable) were the teachers in Newburg Middle.Program impact or participant response were students with excited about eating locally. Roughly 80% - 85% were more excited while 15% - 20% of the student were not impressed with change.Newburg Middle School recently held a career explorati

Full Story

4-H Jam, Butter, and Biscuits Day Camp!

Author: Chanda Hall

Major Program: Family and Consumer Science

Jefferson County 4-H Youth had taken an off day at school and learned how to make some southern delicacies from scratch.   Cooking is a life skill and supports math, science, language, social-emotional development, physical development (fine motor skills), and cognitive development.   At 4-H Jam, Butter and Biscuits Day Camp, 18 youth had the opportunity to explore the art of homemade jams, creamy butter, and fluffy biscuits. Our team of 4-H staff guided youth through the process

Full Story

KSU Presentations at NUEL in Nashville

Author: Von Barnes

Major Program: Agriculture and Extension Leadership Development

Kentucky State University (KYSU) emerged as a star at the 2024 National Urban Extension Leaders (NUEL) Conference in Nashville. A powerhouse team from KYSU's 4-H Youth Development, CRD, Horticulture, FCS and Urban AG departments presented groundbreaking work in urban programs, showcasing their unwavering commitment to fostering community development and sustainable urban living. KYSU's diverse presentations covered a wide range of topics, all reflecting their dedication to addr

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Family Engagement

Author: Chanda Hall

Major Program: Substance Use and Mental Health – 4-H Youth Development

Family Engagement is "a full, equal, and equitable partnership among families, educators, and community partners to promote children’s learning and development from birth through college and career.ESEA Network.  Eisenhower and Kerrick Elementary, strive to provide family engagement opportunities that fit this definition!  Over a 3 day weekend in April, Jefferson County 4-H partnered with the Jefferson County Public School Trauma Care Team, 4-H volunteers, Councilman Kh

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Dare to Care: Safe Gardening

Author: Carolina Robles

Major Program: Family Development General

The problem: Adults with disabilities lack knowledge and resources needed to live an independent life.  The educational program response: Program seeks to encourage independent living skills. This months program focused on how to garden safely and starting a gardening club at the Jefferson County Extension Office. The participants/target audience: Young and older Adults with disabilities Other partners (if applicable): Dare to CareProgram impact or participant response: The p

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