Grayson County CES

Title:

Enhance Youth Life Skills in Leadership and Personal Development

MAP:

Growing Grayson County through Rural, Youth, and Community Development

Agents Involved:

Ewing Jones, K.

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Family and Consumer Science

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Leadership

Situation:

A large percentage of Grayson County youth lack the life skills necessary to function effectively in modern society. County school teachers report that students lack problem solving and decision making skills. Parents are often unable to help students, since they also lack these same skills.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Grayson County youth will become responsible, self-sufficient citizens that take an active role in county life. This will include an increase in job readiness skills, aspiration to attain higher levels of education and an increase in use of critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Youth must be able to set personal and career goals and have the self-discipline to attain those goals. All individuals will increase personal stability and increase their self-confidence for obtaining their goals set for the future.

Initial Outcomes:

Youth will increase their knowledge of the connection between education and future stability. Individuals will increase their knowledge of effective life skills and have the ability to implement and modify those skills to serve them throughout their lives.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Youth accepting leadership roles in their 4-H club(s) at the county level and beyond. Youth will also participate in activities and projects that increase their leadership skills.

Indicator: Youth will accept leadership roles within 4-H and other groups.

Method: Youth will be served on skills learned after participation in activities and events.

Timeline: Teen Leadership Academy (county based)- September through April; county clubs (September through August)

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: All 4-H youth with special emphasis placed on teen activities such as Teen Conference and multi-county teen events. Teens will also be encouraged to participate as members of county 4-H Council and County Extension Council.

Project or Activity: County, Area, and State Teen Council membership; Teen Conference, activities such as camper participation and camp teen leaders.

Content or Curriculum: Youth leadership from county Teens In Action Club, youth leadership from Teen Leadership Academy group; Teen Conference, Camp leader training.

Inputs: paid staff and 4-H Volunteers will promote 4-H activities that encourage the development of leadership skills. Efforts will be made to find financial resources to help sponsor lower socio-economic youth so that financial need does not prevent them from being able to participate.

Date: Summer- 4-H Camp; Fall/Spring- Teen Leadership Academy; June- Teen Conference; Spring- Teen Summit

Success Stories