Green County CES

Title:

Developing Youth Into Productive and Contributing Citizens

MAP:

Youth Development

Agents Involved:

Tyrone Gentry

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Science, Engineering, and Technology

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Leadership

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Civic Engagement

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Health & Wellbeing

Situation:

Preparing youth with diverse skills enhances their academic offerings and creates youth who are better prepared to be leaders, entrepreneurs, and contributors to a better community.  According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, 2017 STEM Jobs Update, Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workers help drive our nation’s innovation and competitiveness by generating new ideas and new companies.  Employers look for leadership skills in future employees.  Developing leadership in the youth and adults who are involved in the 4-H program is a priority.  With these pressures upon the youth, many youths struggle with obesity, addiction, and self-esteem. 25% of youth report some form of emotional or behavioral condition and suicide rates are at a record high (KY suicides per 100,000 people: 15.3, 10th highest in the nation). By working closely with schools and communities, Kentucky 4-H Programs can provide experiential, real-world opportunities for 4-H Members, participants, and families to explore and pursue their future options while building their self-esteem and personal confidence.  

Long-Term Outcomes:

• Youth will increase STEM literacy in the general population.
• Communities are equipped with competent, effective leaders. 
• Successful completion of secondary programs, entry into careers of choice, and acceptance into college programs. 
• Youth will develop into competent, capable, contributing adults as they meet important developmental assets through their participation in 4-H programs.
• Increased number of youth maintaining positive health habits.

Intermediate Outcomes:

• Youth will adopt new methods or improved technology.
• Youth will serve as teen and adult leaders in community organizations, volunteer and participate in community service and civic engagement opportunities.  
• Youth will make high school planning decisions based upon lifestyle choices and their understanding of cost of living and lifestyle choices.  
• Youth will increase adoption and mastery of healthy behaviors that lead to a healthy lifestyle that includes making healthy lifestyle choices, not engaging in risky behavior, and handling stress.

Initial Outcomes:

• Youth will develop valuable life-skills, including critical thinking, problem-solving, effective communications, and leadership.
• Youth increase knowledge of effective leadership skills.
• Youth will be participants in College and Career Educational Programs.
• Youth will have an improved awareness of health concerns for youth.
• Youth increase their knowledge about leadership and how to be an effective leader, team player, and communicator.

Evaluation:

• Initial Outcome: Youth plan and implement a Science, Engineering, and Technology project (e.g., Aerospace, Electricity, Robotics, etc.)
  Indicator: Number of youth who indicated interest in learning more about science, engineering, or technology projects? (KOSA)
  Method: 4-H Common Core Survey
  Timeline:   September and June
  
  
• Intermediate Outcome: Youth become more engaged as leaders in their community (planning a service project, serving as mentors, increasing participation at local/state/national levels).
  Indicator: Youth serve in a volunteer leadership role.
  Method: 4-H Common Core Survey
  Timeline: April, May
  
  
• Initial Outcome: Youth will develop into competent, capable, contributing adults as important developmental assets are met by participating in 4-H programs.
  Indicator: Youth will have an increased number of positive assets.
  Method: Survey using Search Institute Asset Approach
  Timeline: November and March
  
  
• Long-Term Outcome: Youth demonstrate the necessary teamwork, leadership, and communication skills to succeed in the community, advanced education, and the workplace.
  Indicator: Youth will be engaged in community organizations, mentoring, and advancing their career aspirations.
  Method: 4-H Common Core Survey
  Timeline: May
  
  
• Long-Term Outcome: Number of youth who indicated they can use healthy life skills to make positive changes in their life.
  Indicator: Youth will use skills acquired through 4-H to make positive, healthy lifestyle choices.
  Method:  4-H Common Core Survey
  Timeline:  September and May

Learning Opportunities:

• Audience: Youth ages 4-14
  Project or Activity:  Summer Camp
  Content or Curriculum:  Approved State 4-H camping curriculums
  Inputs:  Agents, Volunteers, Schools
  Date: June
  
  
• Audience: Youth grades 6-8
  Project or Activity:  Pre-Teen Summit
  Content or Curriculum:  Approved State 4-H core curriculums
  Inputs:  Agents, Volunteers, Green County Middle School
  Date: January - March
  
  
• Audience: Youth grades 6-12
  Project or Activity:  Capital Experience
  Content or Curriculum:  Civic Engagement Manual
  Inputs:  Agents, Volunteers,Legistators
  Date: January - March
  
  
• Audience: Youth in grades Pre-School and Third Grade
  Project or Activity: Ag Safety Day
  Content or Curriculum: Acres of Adventure, KY Farm 2 School, Home Alone, First Aid in Action, SPARK
  Inputs: Agents, Volunteers, Community Leaders, Schools
  Date: September
  
  
• Audience: 4th-8th grades
  Project or Activity: Project Days
  Content or Curriculum: Computer Science, Natural Resources, Healthy Living, Robotics,
  Inputs: Agent, Schools, Parks, project materials
  Date: August, September, March, May
  
  
• Audience: 7th Graders
  Project or Activity: Financial Management and Career Planning
  Content or Curriculum: Reality Check, World of Work
  Inputs: Agents, Volunteers, Schools, Businesses, Community Leaders, Banks
  Date: February
  
  
• Audience: Youth 4th-12th grades
  Project or Activity: Healthy Living Project
  Content or Curriculum: Health Curriculum, Activities for Building Character and Social-Emotional Learning, Centering on Me, Keeping Fit & Healthy—Staying Healthy, SPARK After Schoo;
• Inputs: Agents, Volunteers, local parks, Local Businesses
  Date: January, February, May, August
  
  
• Audience: Youth 4th-12th grades
  Project or Activity: Global Education
  Content or Curriculum: Empowering Students to Improve the World in Sixty Lessons (Version 1), 4-H Backpack to Adventure: Youth Leaders in a Global World, WeConnect: A Global Youth Citizenship Curriculum
  Inputs: Agents, Volunteers, Local Businesses
  Date: October, November, January, February
  
  
• Audience: Youth 4-12th grades
  Project or Activity: Civic Education
  Content or Curriculum: 4-H Leadership Core Curriculum, Unlock Your Leadership Potential.
  Inputs: Agents, Volunteers, Local Businesses
  Date: January, February, March, April, August, September, November

Success Stories