Extension
It Starts With Us
Youth and Adult Financial, Parenting, Life Skill, and Practical Skill Development
Practical & Life Skills Development
Samantha Gamblin, Tori Riehemann, Lorilee Kunze, Ruth Chowning
Nutrition and Food Systems General
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Communications & Expressive Arts
Practical/life skill development education can provide youth and adult community members of Bullitt County with skills that will aid in improving their lives while improving the community.
A need for life skill development, education and training was identified by community members completing the 2019 Bullitt County Extension Community Assessment survey. According to the 2019 report, in issues related to life skill development, identified community needs include, more youth, adult, and family life skills training related to financial planning, decision making, and career readiness; relationship building, parenting, and coping skills; as well as sustainability of family farms, more opportunities for buying safe, affordable, fresh local foods, and skills for selecting and preparing healthier food.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 10.2 percent of Bullitt County residents live below the poverty level. The Kentucky Center for Statistics reports that 10% of the population [ages 18-64] lacks a high school diploma or equivalent while only 24% of the population holds an associate degree or higher.
More effective employees and community leaders.
Improved financial capability for Kentuckians, results in better quality of life and stronger families.
Better family money management skills, such as reducing debt, increasing savings, and financial planning.
Be responsible and contributing individuals and family members
Gain and maintain employment through life skill development
Contribute to a safe and healthy home and community.
Improve the physical and mental health, along with relationship of adults and children
Caregivers of children will have reduced stress levels.
Community members, including parents are engaged in building community
Youth will contribute to self, family, community and to the institutions of our society.
Youth will have reduced risky behavior now and in the future.
4-H alumni will be successful in a global society.
4-H youth will successfully enter the workplace and/or institution of higher learning.
Practice better employee “soft/essential skills” such as communication, networking, teamwork, time management, problem-solving, etc.
Improve employability through practical living skills and continued education practices.
Practice one or more resource management behaviors resulting in increased savings or investments.
Adopt financial planning strategies for short, intermediate, and long-term goals
Practice consumer and financial decision-making that leads to greater financial stability
Adopt habits and skills that contribute toward employability in the future
Youth will use scientific decision-making techniques to make decisions daily.
Youth will express themselves to others in group settings and on an individual basis.
Youth have a positive bond with a caring adult who believe and encourage success.
Youth apply the skills learned in 4-H in other activities at home, school and in the community.
Youth set and achieve goals through a 4-H program.
Community leaders will work together to address Hunger in Bullitt County and issues related to this
Change knowledge, opinions, skills, and aspirations, to improve employability through work and practical living skills and continuing education practices.
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.
Understand the 7 steps of the Decision-Making Process
Gain skills in setting a goal and developing a plan of action
Learn to read and follow instructions
Gain knowledge and develop skills in Family & Consumer Sciences projects and programs
Parents and caregivers are aware of agencies or organizations to contact for assistance
Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the decision-making process.
Youth learn skills need to communicate with others.
Adult volunteers/mentors will understand elements of positive youth development.
Youth learn and develop life skills though 4-H.
Youth learn steps in goal setting and developing a plan of action.
Leaders in Community will understand the issues related to Hunger
Outcome: Improved workforce communication
Indicator: Number of individuals who reported the intent to utilize etiquette practices to improve verbal, written, and electronic communication practices (Communicating Effectively)
Indicator: Number of individuals reporting increased levels of understanding in the area: demonstrate strong verbal and nonverbal communications (Conveying Your Message)
Method: Pre/Post Evaluation
Timeline: Following Positive Employability
Outcome: Improved workplace listening skills
Indicator: Number of individuals reporting increased levels of understanding in the area: how to utilize listening cues in conversation (Listening and Inquiry)
Method: Pre/Post Evaluation
Timeline: Following Positive Employability
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/ 6 month follow-up
Timeline: July 2024 - June 2025
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 & 6 month follow-up
Outcome: Increase knowledge and skills related to estate planning
Indicator: Number of individuals who acted toward implementing at least one estate planning strategy regarding the subject matter presented
Method: Retroactive pre-post
Timeline: Pre/post workshops and in 3 month follow-up survey
Outcome: Youth who engage in Family & Consumer Science project Work
Indicator: Youth complete a Family & Consumer Science Project
Method: 4-H Common Measures Universal Survey
Timeline: July 2024- June 2025
Outcome: Participants will be able to live independently and will be able to complete basic tasks for everyday living
Indicator: Number of participants indicating change in behavior
Method: Written evaluation and testimonials
Timeline: On-going
Outcome: Youth will improve their personal communication skills
Indicator: Change in participants ability to communicate interpersonal settings
Method: Testimonials of participants, teachers and parents
Timeline: on-going
Outcome: Knowledge of youth financial responsibility and management
Indicator: Plans to change spending habits and savings
Method: Written evaluation of program participants, testimonials, teachers and parents
Timeline: on-going
Audience: Working-age adults and young adults preparing for the workforce
Project or Activity: 10 Soft Skills for Success
Content or Curriculum: Positive Employability
Inputs: 4H Agent, curriculum publications and resources, local employers and community leaders
Date: Fall. 2024
Audience: Working-age adults and young adults preparing for the workforce
Project or Activity: Conveying Your Message
Content or Curriculum: Positive Employability
Inputs: 4H Agent, curriculum publications and resources, local
employers and community leaders
Date: Fall, 2024
Audience: Community - All Ages
Project or Activity: Healthy Home
Content or Curriculum: UK curriculum and publications
Inputs: FCS Agent, curriculum publications and resources,
Date: Fall, 2024
Audience: Community-All ages
Project or Activity: Caregiving, Health and Financial Planning
Content or Curriculum: AARP Prepare to Care, Estate Planning, 5 Wishes
Inputs: FCS Agent, Community partners with resources related to programs
Date: Fall 2024, Spring 2025
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Sewing & Quilting & Needlework
Content or Curriculum: UK curriculum in Needlework, Sewing and quilting.
Inputs: FCS Agent, FCS curriculum
Date: July 2024 - June 2025
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Public Speaking, school and county-wide
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Public Speaking curriculum
Inputs: Extension Staff, teachers, parents, schools, Cooperative Extension facility
Date: Fall, 2024 /Spring, 2025
Audience: Youth – Middle/High School
Project or Activity: 4-H Reality Store
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H Reality Store Curriculum
Inputs: Extension Staff, Volunteers, Schools, teachers
Date: Spring, 2025
Audience: Youth - High School
Project or Activity: Workforce Prep & Career Readiness
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H Workforce Prep Curriculum
Inputs: Extension Staff, Volunteers, Schools, teachers, Family Court, Court Designated Workers, community & business leaders
Date: Fall, 2024 /Spring, 2025
Audience: Youth – Elementary
Project or Activity: Dollars & Sense Program
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H Dollars Sense Curriculum
Inputs: Extension Staff, Volunteers, Schools, teachers
Date: January - March 2025
Audience: Youth Ages 9-18, Adults
Project or Activity: 4-H Residential Camp
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Camp
Inputs: Extension Staff, Volunteers, Camp Facilities, Camp Staff
Date: Summer 2024
Audience: Youth Ages 9-13
Project or Activity: Home Alone Program
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H Code Name: Home Alone
Inputs: Extension Staff, Volunteers, local childcare facilities, childcare teachers
Date: Summer 2025
Audience: Youth Ages 5-18
Project or Activity: Day Camps
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum, Extension Curriculum
Inputs: Extension Staff, Volunteers, local schools, Family Resource Centers, Youth Service Center
Date: Summer 2025
Audience: Youth Ages 9-18
Project or Activity: Shooting Sports Education
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky/National 4-H Training, Curriculum
Inputs: Certified 4-H Volunteers, Bullitt County Schools, Chickasaw Archery Club, Extension Staff
Date: Spring, Summer 2025
Audience: Youth Ages 5-19
Project or Activity: Community Clubs, Project Clubs
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H Curricula (Expressive Arts, Leadership, Shooting Sports, Clover Buds, Photography, Global Citizenship, SET, Ag/Natural Resources, FCS)
Inputs: Extension Staff, Volunteers, Teachers
Date: Fall, 2024 /Spring, Summer 2025
Author: Ruth Chowning
Major Program: Food Preparation and Preservation
According to Penn State Extension, increased interest in eating locally grown produce has led to renewed popularity of home food preservation. If not done properly, loss of food and money are minor problems. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report the major problem - that home canned vegetables are the most common cause of botulism outbreaks in the US.To assist local families with safe methods to preserve their locally grown produce, the Bullitt County Extension office presented 3
Author: Victoria Riehemann
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
In 2024, the poverty rate for Bullitt County was 10.6%, and although this poverty rate is lower than the national average for poverty (12.5%), the community wants our youth to be prepared with financial skills to fight poverty. According to the 2023 Community Assessment for Bullitt County, 12.6% of stakeholders wanted to see increases in youth career readiness and in youth life skills training, which included money management and life decision making.Bullitt County 4-H partnered with the Family
