Extension
It Starts With Us
Promoting personal development of the adult and child
Enchancing the Development of Youth and Adults
Renata Farmer, Kelsee Dewees, Wayne Kirby
Aging-General
Family Development General
Communications
Family and Consumer Science
Healthy adult and children relationships leads to family stability which benefits the well being of both adults and children. Today's family structure is more complex than ever before and face many challenges. 35% of individuals in Knox County live in poverty, near 20% of the population is 65 and older, and more children are being cared for by grandparents than ever before. In the 2019 Community Assessment, Knox County individuals emphasized the importance of strengthening the home and family. By providing research-based information and resources for grandparents or relatives raising children, providing positive youth development programs that promote the growth of the child, and sharing knowledge to our community across all ages and family demographics, we can encourage the growth of family and interpersonal relationships within our community.
Knox County youth and adults are able to:
- care for the physical and mental health and well-being of each individual over the long term.
- build personal strengths and self control, interpersonal communication, life skills including wise decision-making.
- Youth will be able to learn skills like team work and decision making in other areas than 4-H
- families will set family rules, routines and limit screen time.
- eat family meals four three or more times a week.
- reduced stress levels, made time for selves, and/or made wise decisions about money, time, et
- use knowledge gained to enhance optimal aging
- Commits to set family rules regarding eating together, limiting screen time, active play and exercise, set routines.
- Intends to manage stress; make time for self; listen, talk, bond with family members; read with child daily; teach responsibility in use of money, time, etc.
- Gain knowledge on what makes up a healthy relationship among peers and family
Initial Outcome: Youth and adults will gain knowledge on what makes up a healthy relationship among family and peers.
Indicator: Youth and adults will gain knowledge on how to accept differences, how manage stress, how to work with their family and peers.
Method: Pre - post test, observation, testimonials, 4-H Common Measures Survey tool
Timeline:Monthly meeting
Intermediate Outcome: Youth and adults will practice skills to strengthen relationship by working consistently as a team with family/peers, having effective communication and learning about overall development and how to promote it.
Indicator:
Method: Pre-post test, observation, testimonials, 4-H Common Measures Survey Tool
Timeline: 2023-2024
Long Term Outcome: Adults will regularly interact with their children in a positive manner and build a support system with other adults
Indicator:Youth will form a successful support system and use skills learned in 4-H and other areas.
Method:Pre-post test, observation, testimonials, 4-H Common Measures Survey Tool
Timeline: 2023-2024
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Character Education
Content or Curriculum: Bullying, Character Counts
Inputs: agent, assistant , volunteers
Date: August - March
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Cloverbud & Art Club
Content or Curriculum: Expressive Arts Curriculum, Cloverbud, Mental health
Inputs: Agent, Assistant, volunteers
Date: September - May
Audience: youth
Project or Activity: school clubs, school enrichment
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Core
Inputs: agents, assistant, volunteer
Date: August - May
Audience: youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Summer Camp / 4-H Cloverbud Camp
Content or Curriculum: 4-H curriculum or activities
Inputs: agent, assistant, volunteer, camp staff
Date: June/July
Audience: Older adults
Project or Activity: Beautiful Minds, Beautiful Lives
Content or Curriculum: Aging
Inputs: Agent, Assistant,
Date: September- June
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Make it Monday
Content: Repurposing, Textiles, Relationships
Inputs: Agent/ Assistant
Date: September - April
Audience: Families
Project or Activity: Storybook Walk at Extension Pavilion/Farmers Market
Content: Parent & Child Relationships, Community Engagement, Ag Awareness
Inputs: Agents, Assistants, FRYSC, Health Dept, Farmers Market, Farm Bureau, Cancer Coalition
Date: Summer/Fall 2023
Audience: Daycares/Families
Project or Activity: LEAP
Content: Parent & Child Relationships, Nutrition, Community Engagement
Input: Agents, assistants, families, daycare
Date: Summer 2024
Author: Kelsee Dewees
Major Program: Nutrition and Food Systems General
According to the National Eating Disorder Association, every 52 minutes someone dies of an eating disorder, 28.8 million Americans are struggling with an eating disorder, 26% attempt suicide and less than 6% are medically underweight. In fact, people in larger bodies are at the highest risk of having developed an eating disorder in their lives, and among people in larger bodies, the higher the BMI, the higher the risk. The economic cost of eating disorders is $64.7 billion per year.
Author: Renata Farmer
Major Program: Health
Peer relationships are a major focus during the school-age years of child development. During this time, children have many opportunities to grow, learn social skills, and develop problem-solving skills. Unfortunately, sometimes relationships at this stage can be negative and hurtful to a child. According to StopBullying.gov, approximately 40 percent of youth in the United States are estimated to be involved in bullying as either a bully, a target of bullying, or both. Whe
Author: Renata Farmer
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
Students taught about money and financial matters are more likely to save, more likely to pay off credit card debt and are also likely to think about their purchases. Yet, according to a survey by the Jump$tart Coalition, one in six students in the United States failed to reach the baseline level of proficiency in financial literacy. The survey also showed that nearly 72 percent of parents showed reluctance in talking with their children about money and that 3 out of 10 parents actua
Author: Renata Farmer
Major Program: 21st Century Skills (Career & Workplace Development)
Life skills are essential in preparing youth for success in life. Leadership is one of the most important life skills that youth should learn. The Knox County 4-H leadership program provides opportunities for youth to grow their leadership skills in a safe and welcoming environment. Youth are encouraged to step out of their comfort zone and experience new things. Our goal is to help youth gain the leadership skills they will use for life. This year, Knox County 4-H has partnered with Jobs for Am
