Wolfe County CES

Title:

Developing Leadership, Citizenship, Health, & Life Skills Among Youth

MAP:

Youth Development Programming

Agents Involved:

Jessica Morris

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Family and Consumer Science

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Leadership

Situation:

Over the last several years, Wolfe County 4-H, as well at Wolfe County Extension, have experienced growth in programming and community involvement. The Wolfe County Extension District Board, County Extension Council, and 4-H Council have indicated through discussion and surveys that they want to keep the momentum and expand programming for the youth in Wolfe County. Several issues plague our community that have led to a need for programming in a vast number of areas. Those concerning factors are: 

-Premature death of three youth in our community from ATV/RZR accidents 

-Ranked 117 out of 120 Kentucky Counties for the Health rankings for the state  

-8.6% of teens reported that they have 5 or more drinks at one event (binge drinking) 

-18% of teens reported that they have been cyberbullied  

-40% of middle schoolers indicated they have used self harm each month 

-31.5% of middle school students and 18.4% of high school students were considered obese 

-Childhood poverty rate is 44% 

-26% of children live in single parent homes 

-increased rate of grandparents raising youth as a result of drug usage in their parental home 

-increase in Drug overdoses 

-lack of extracurricular activities to keep youth involved in year round  

Partnering organizations (Wolfe County School System, Wolfe County Youth Service Center & Family Resource, and other community organizations) have indicated that there is a continued need for our partnership to continue to provide quality educational programming to the youth (K-12) of the County. Therefore, Wolfe County 4-H will continue to focus on the Core Curriculum Areas and provide positive youth development opportunities for every child in Wolfe County. By looking at those issues above we know that keeping youth involved in clubs and activities afterschool and during school, we provide positive learning opportunities and they build decision making skills that carry them through their adult lives. Studies have show that keeping kids involved in activities after school are less likely to be involved in drug activities. Keeping youth engaged in activities and programs is a goal of our program.  

Long-Term Outcomes:

Through positive 4-H Youth Development programming in Wolfe County, the youth will improve their leadership, citizenship, and life skills. Being actively engaged with positive role models in our community, our youth will be able to take on leadership roles, be productive and active members of our society all while making healthy lifestyle choices. 

Intermediate Outcomes:

Through positive 4-H Youth Development programming in Wolfe County, the youth will gain self confidence in their skills and abilities which will contribute to their success in our society. By participating in positive programming, projects and service learning opportunities youth will enhance skills that are essential for goal setting, decision making and completion of a task. 

Initial Outcomes:

Youth will develop leadership, citizenship, and health and life skills all while gaining interest and expanding their knowledge in the 4-H Core curriculum areas of Science, Engineering, & Technology; Health; Animal Science; Natural Resources; Communications; and Family & Consumer Sciences; and Leadership. As a result, their enthusiasm for the entire 4-H Youth Development Program will increase allowing us to expand their knowledge in other areas as well. 

Evaluation:

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: 4-H Teens (Grades 7-12) 

Project or Activity: 4-H Teen Leadership Academy 

Content or Curriculum: Leadership 

Inputs: Efforts of Agents, Extension Staff, State Staff, School System; Promotion Through website, newspapers, newsletters, school promotion, social media 

Date: ongoing

 
 

Audience: Grades 9-12 

Project or Activity: Issue's Conference, Teen Conference, Truth & Consequences 

Content or Curriculum: Leadership Development, Community Service, Drug Prevention 

Inputs: efforts of Agents, Extension Staff, State Staff, School System; Promotion Through website, newspapers, newsletters, school promotion, social media 

Date: ongoing

 
 

Audience: Grades K-12 

Project or Activity: Reality Store, Dollars & Sense, Budgeting 

Content or Curriculum: Leadership Development, Financial Awareness & Education, Family Consumer Science 

Inputs: efforts of Agents, Extension Staff, State Staff, School System; Promotion Through website, newspapers, newsletters, school promotion, social media 

Date: ongoing

 
 

Audience: Grades 6-8 

Project or Activity: 4-H Teen Summit 

Content or Curriculum: Leadership, Teambuilding, Community Service, Communications 

Inputs: efforts of Agents, Extension Staff, State Staff, School System; Promotion Through website, newspapers, newsletters, school promotion, social media 

Date: ongoing

 
 

Audience: All Youth (9-19) 

Project or Activity: 4-H Camp 

Content or Curriculum: Leadership, Teambuilding, Community Service, Communications, Life Skills 

Inputs: efforts of Agents, Extension Staff, State Staff, School System; Promotion Through website, newspapers, newsletters, school promotion, social media 

Date: ongoing

 
 

Audience: All Youth (9-19) 

Project or Activity: Communications (Speeches and Demonstrations) 

Content or Curriculum: Leadership, Team building, Communications, Life Skills, Self Confidence 

Inputs: efforts of Agents, Extension Staff, State Staff, School System; Promotion Through website, newspapers, newsletters, school promotion, social media 

Date: ongoing
 

Audience: All Youth (9-19) 

Project or Activity: School Enrichment 

Content or Curriculum: Leadership, Teambuilding, Community Service, Communications, Life Skills, SET, Health, Family Consumer Science, Including Safety Days  

Inputs: efforts of Agents, Extension Staff, State Staff, School System; Promotion Through website, newspapers, newsletters, school promotion, social media 

Date: ongoing

 
 

Audience: Grades 3-4 

Project or Activity: Agriculture Awareness Series 

Content or Curriculum: Leadership, Communications, Life Skills, Health, Animal Science 

Inputs: efforts of Agents, Extension Staff, State Staff, School System; Promotion Through website, newspapers, newsletters, school promotion, social media 

Date: ongoing

 
 

Audience: All Youth (9-19) 

Project or Activity: Livestock Club/ Skillathon Team 

Content or Curriculum: Leadership, Teambuilding, Community Service, Communications, Life Skills, Animal Science and Agriculture 

Inputs: efforts of Agents, Extension Staff, State Staff, School System; Promotion Through website, newspapers, newsletters, school promotion, social media 

Date: ongoing

 
 

Audience: All Youth (9-19) 

Project or Activity: Ham Club 

Content or Curriculum: Leadership, Communications, Life Skills, Animal Science, Food Preservation, Family Consumer Science 

Inputs: efforts of Agents, Extension Staff, State Staff, School System; Promotion Through website, newspapers, newsletters, school promotion, social media 

Date: ongoing

 

Audience: All Youth (9-19) 

Project or Activity: Health Promotion, Anti Drug Activities and Improve Parks for improved Health outcomes. 

Content: Leadership, Health, and Family Consumer Science 

Inputs:  efforts of Agents, Extension Staff, State Staff, School System; Promotion Through website, newspapers, newsletters, school promotion, social media 

Date: ongoing

Reviewed: JLM 05/01/23

Success Stories