Extension
It Starts With Us
Life Skills Development
Life Skills Development
Kelly Woods, Heather Toombs
Family and Consumer Science
Master Clothing Volunteer
The ever-changing landscape of the family unit requires an innovative approach to providing the basic needs families have as they navigate many new challenges. The recent COVID Stay at Home Order left many families struggling to meet these needs. Extension provides the opportunity for youth and families to develop vital life skills such as consumer awareness, monetary management, culinary arts, textiles, housing, and human development. Families working together to meet these needs builds a stronger bond within every family unit.
Data gathered in the 2019 Oldham County Assessment shows the top three concerns from county residents regarding life skills are a desire for youth to have life training skills such as money management, life decision making, etc.; for youth to be better prepared for future careers; and for increased support for prevention of bullying and school violence.
Oldham County population has increased slightly over the last few years and as of 2021 was at 68,685. Unemployment in Oldham County rose from 4.8% in 2007 to 7.5% in 2010 and was at 3.5% in 2017. The poverty rate fell from 6.2% in 2016 to 5% in 2021, according to the 2021 Census. The child poverty rate decreased from 8.5% to 6.0% from 2010 to 2016. (UK CEDIK data)
Participants will teach others acquired skills, helping build community stability.
Participants will apply skills learned to reach individual goals and strengthen family stability.
Participants learn new skills that support personal and family growth.
Initial Outcome: Participants learn new skills that support personal and family growth.
Indicator: Participant learn a new skill and understand how to follow instructions.
Method: Youth complete a project or workshop to develop a new skill.
Timeline: Fall 2023 and Spring 2024
Intermediate Outcome: Participants will apply skills learned to reach individual goals and strengthen family stability.
Indicator: Participants will expand knowledge relating to new skill and exhibit completed project.
Method: Project entered in the County Fair
Timeline: Fall 2023 and Spring 2024
Long-term Outcome: Participants will teach others acquired skills, helping build community stability.
Indicator: Participant will teach a workshop or shared skills learned.
Method: 4-H Common Measures Universal Survey
Timeline: Spring 2024
Activity: Reality Store
Audience: Juniors (North Oldham High School)
Content or Curriculum: It's Your Reality
Inputs: Rotary Clubs Participation, Funding from Oldham County Schools and Metro United Way, Extension Staff and Volunteers, Oldham County Health Department, Oldham County Library
Date: NOHS – Fall 2023
Activity: Youth Sewing Workshops
Audience: Youth
Content or Curriculum: National 4-H Curriculum
Inputs: Extension Staff, Community Volunteers, Master Clothing Volunteers
Date: Fall 2023
Activity: Visual Arts
Audience: Elementary School Youth
Content or Curriculum: National 4-H Curriculum
Inputs: Extension Staff, Community Volunteers
Date: Summer 2023
Activity: Sew with Us. Sewing Classes
Audience: Adults interested in improving sewing skills
Content or Curriculum: Economical sewing projects
Inputs: Master Clothing Volunteer, FCS Agent, Volunteers
Date: 2023-2024 Program Year, Depending on commitments of Master Clothing volunteer
Audience: Extension Homemakers, General Public
Project or Activity: Transferring Cherished Possessions, Self Care and Self Pampering, Savor the Flavor: Seasoning with Spices, Savor the Flavor: Building Flavors with Herbs, Reducing the Risk of Identity Theft and Time Well Spent: Organizing Tips for Increased Productivity.
Content or Curriculum: KEHA, UK-approved materials, and Publications
Inputs: Louisville Area FCS Agents
Date: October 2023- March-April 2024
Author: Kelly Woods
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
Oldham County Public School Summer Care programs are hosted at each elementary school in the county. The summer care directors requested art and life skills programming for their summer curriculum. Oldham County 4-H partnered with three schools offering lessons to over 150 youth focusing on horticulture, weaving, jewelry making, sand art murals, quilling art, acrylic art, and pencil drawings. 4-H Agent and Assistants taught each session.At the end of the summer, participants were invited t
Author: Kelly Woods
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
The problem:Culinary Arts continue to spark the interest of Oldham County youth, 4-H strives to offer at least three culinary sessions (6 hours each) yearly. Sessions fill up within hours of being posted. The educational program response:Oldham County 4-H has hosted three culinary camps to date: Baking Camp, Italian Foods Camp, Super Bowl Cooking Camp and Breads for Teens involving over 60 young people. Two additional culinary programs are planned for the summer.In addition to the cul
Author: Kelly Woods
Major Program: Camping
The problem:The Oldham County 4-H Camping Program has a unique set of opportunities, this year the camp filled up in 16 days. All camp applications were delivered on the same day across the county, the efforts resulted in 309 campers, thirty-three teen leaders and forty-eight adult leaders, two program assistants and one agent leading to the second highest camp attendance. The problem Oldham County struggles with is securing the funds to cover the cost of additional classes, scholarships, golf c
Author: Heather Toombs
Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General
In 2023 Homemakers selected this topic for one of their Homemaker Leader Lessons for 2023-2024 Community members return to their busy schedules after COVID-19. As Oldham County struggles with less time at home Time Well Spent was a topic of interest. The lesson focused on identifying 3 skills, solutions, and ways to improve organization and planning at home or work.Homemakers selected this topic for one of their Homemaker Leader Lessons for 2023-202415 participants completed th
