Bell County CES

Title:

Financial Education

MAP:

Enhance Life Skills and Build Consumer Awareness

Agents Involved:

Rebecca Miller, Michelle Brock and Brian Good

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Financial Education - General

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Food Preparation and Preservation

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Farm Management, Economics and Policy

Situation:

  Promoting positive personal finance behaviors prepares Kentuckians for any future economic shift. The United States has been in an extremely long period of economic expansion; however, expansions are cyclical, meaning growth is eventually followed by recession. Securing financial stability for Kentuckians will help families, adults and youth thrive no matter the economic outlook. Financial stability is achieved when individuals are able to secure and manage resources needed to supply food, clothing, and shelter. Through increased financial knowledge, individuals may be able to make wise financial decisions, increase buying power, avoid overextended credit, develop savings habits, and manage risks.

Also, according to the 2019 Needs Assessment done in Bell County, community members feel that youth and families need more life skills training such as money management, life decision making skills, etc. 

Long-Term Outcomes:

• Better individual money management skills, such as reducing debt, increasing savings, and financial planning.
• More effective employees and community leaders.
• Improved financial capability for Kentuckians, results in better quality of life and stronger families.

Intermediate Outcomes:

• Practice one or more resource management behaviors resulting in increased savings or investments.
• Adopt financial planning strategies for short-, mid-, and long-term goals.

Initial Outcomes:

• Increased knowledge and skills related to managing financial resources, including savings, credit, and financial planning.
• Change knowledge, opinions, skills, and aspirations, to improve employability through work and practical living skills and continuing education practices.
• Increase financial literacy (knowledge and skills) related to savings and investments.

Evaluation:

Outcome:  Increased awareness of sound financial behaviors

Indicator(s):  Number of individuals who implemented at least one 

strategy to reduce expenses or manage money

Number of individuals who made a sound financial decision 

(regarding credit, budgeting, savings, and/or debt)

Method:  Retroactive pre-post

Timeline: Following financial education workshops

Outcome:  Increase knowledge and skills related to 

managing financial resources

Indicator: Number of individuals reporting increased levels of

understanding in the area: confidence in handling money issues

or specific financial matters

Method:  Retroactive pre-post 

Timeline:  Following financial education workshops

Long-term Outcome: Bell Countians will achieve financial literacy, stability and economic well-being through practices learned at Extension programs.

Indicator: Clientele will report an increase in savings and financial gain.

Method: Follow up survey, discussions

Timeline:following financial education workshop

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Youth, middle school age

Project or Activity: 4-H Dollars and Sense

Content or Curriculum: 4-H dollars and sense curriculum

Inputs: agents, schools, volunteers, family resource centers, teachers, facilities

Date: spring 2025

Audience: Youth, High School

Project or Activity: Reality Store

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Reality Store curriculum

Inputs: schools, facilities, family resource centers, volunteers, agents

Date: Spring 2025

Audience: general public, homemakers

Project or Activity: Stretching Your Holiday Dollars

Content or Curriculum: UK Publications

Inputs: agents, facilities, schools, family resource center

Date: October 2024- December 2025

Audience: farmers, general public

Project or Activity: Shared Use Equipment Use Program

Content or Curriculum: UK pubs

Inputs: agents, Ag Council, Farm Bureau, Ky Ag Development Board, Road Department

Date: on going through out year

Audience: youth and adults

Project or Activity: Financial Education

Content or Curriculum: Building a Healthy  Wealthy Future, Real Skills for Everyday Life, Where Does Your Money Go, MITT

Inputs: agents, specialist, schools, teachers, community partners

Date: July 2024- June 2025

Audience: farmers, adults

Project or Activity: Vegetable Production

Content or Curriculum: UK gardening pubs, soil samples

Inputs: agents, specialist,  community partners

Date: July 2024- June 2025

Success Stories