Lincoln County CES

Title:

Life Skills Development 2020-25

MAP:

Strengthening Individuals & Families

Agents Involved:

Tyler Miller, Jody Paver

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Child Development General

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Family Development General

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Financial Education - General

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association

Situation:

With continued economic struggles, it is more important than ever, for community members to develop important life skills that will help them become more educated, contributing members of society. Kentucky consistently lags behind other states in household income indicators, including personal income, percent of population living below the poverty line, unemployment, and revolving debt.

In the US, only one-third of high school seniors are college-ready, and only one-third of high school graduates are work-ready (US Dept of Education). In Kentucky, nearly 45 percent of graduates do not attend college and only 5 percent obtain technical training (Kentucky Dept of Education). Schools continue to place less emphasis on life skills development as they strive to meet state academic expectations. Youth also receive less training in basic home and consumer skills at home since many live in households where both parents/guardians work.

 

According to the 2019 Kentucky Extension Community Assessment Report, participants identified increased job skills training and life skills training programs as important areas of focus for the Extension Service.

More than 27% of Lincoln County families with children live below the poverty line and over 20% of those age 65 and over live below the poverty line (Kentucky: By The Numbers Report).

It is imperative that we help individuals manage the challenges and discover the positive aspects of life transitions and growing older. It is also imperative that we empower individuals and families to secure and manage their basic human needs of food, clothing, and shelter; and articulate and apply smart financial behaviors related to goal setting, budgeting, analysis of credit and contracts, risk management, online and personal safety, saving and investing, and use of financial services. 

Long-Term Outcomes:

• More self-sufficient families
• Youth and adults increase self-worth and self-esteem and manage resources efficiently, to improve their economic situation 
• More effective employees and community leaders, as well as increased career enjoyment
• Better investments and savings, better/more independent aging, overall improved economic well-being, and a more secure, stable home environment and quality of life--resulting in improved financial capabilities for stronger families

Intermediate Outcomes:

• Youth, families, and adults improve communication, financial management, social interaction and decision-making skills in order to strengthen their family and financial situation.
• Individuals will adopt short, mid, and long-term financial planning strategies and will practice one or more resource management behaviors resulting in increased savings or investments.
• Youth will demonstrate increased college and career-readiness and completion of other post-secondary programs.
• Life skills attained will prepare youth, families and adults to meet the challenges of everyday life. 

Initial Outcomes:

• Families and individuals will learn life skills that are necessary to maintain and improve their household situation.
• Families and individuals will be capable of locating local resources and how to use them while also improving social interaction skills.
• Participants will increase financial literacy related to savings and investments. They will show increased knowledge and skills related to managing available financial and non-financial resources.
• Increased knowledge and skills related to managing financial resources, including savings, credit, and financial planning. 
• Youth will demonstrate mastery of basic life skills such as food preparation, public speaking, budgeting, resume-building while also attaining higher graduation rates and increased entry into post-secondary programs.
• Change knowledge, opinions, skills, and aspirations, to improve employability through work and practical living skills and continuing education practices. 
• Individuals will learn employable skills setting them apart from the rest of the field.

Evaluation:

• Initial Outcome: Increased knowledge and skills related to managing financial resources, including savings, credit, and financial planning. 

Indicator: Survey results

Method: Survey

Timeline: At conclusion of programs

Intermediate Outcome: Individuals will adopt short, mid, and long-term financial planning strategies and will practice one or more resource management behaviors resulting in increased savings or investments.? 

Indicator: Increased number of families utilizing financial planning strategies

Method: Survey

Timeline: 2+ years

Long-term Outcome: More effective employees and community leaders, as well as increased career enjoyment.? 

Indicator: Survey results

Method: Survey

Timeline: 4+ years

Learning Opportunities:

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES: 

 

Audience: 3rd – 12th grade 

Activity: 4-H STEM Programs

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum and local business and community leaders 

Inputs: Volunteer leaders, local schools, Farm Bureau, Early Childhood and Head Start Programs, Family Resource Centers, Youth Service Center, local businesses, hospitals, Lincoln County Schools. 

Facilities used will include the Lincoln County Extension Office, Lincoln County Schools (high, middle, and elementary). 

Date: September – May 

Audience: 3rd – 12th grade 

 

Audience: County Youth 

Activity: 4-H Camp and Cloverbud Camp 

Content or Curriculum: 4-H curriculum 

Inputs: Lincoln County Cattleman’s Association, livestock leaders, volunteer leaders, local schools, Lincoln County Fair Board, Vo-Ag Program, Farm Bureau, Early Childhood and Head Start Programs, physical therapy offices, Family Resource Centers, Youth Service Center, local businesses, hospitals. 

Facilities used will include the Lincoln County Extension Office, Lincoln County Schools (high, middle, and elementary), local doctors’ offices, local businesses, various other community agencies, and fairgrounds. 

Date: Summer 

 

Audience: Youth ages 9 and up 

Activity: 4-H Communications Events 

Content or Curriculum: 4-H curriculum 

Inputs: Lincoln County Cattleman’s Association, livestock leaders, volunteer leaders, local schools, Lincoln County Fair Board, Vo-Ag Program, Farm Bureau, Early Childhood and Head Start Programs, physical therapy offices, Family Resource Centers, Youth Service Center, local businesses, hospitals. 

Facilities used will include the Lincoln County Extension Office, Lincoln County Schools (high, middle, and elementary), local doctors’ offices, local businesses, various other community agencies, and fairgrounds. 

Date: all year 

 

Audience: Youth 

Activity: 4-H Creative Clovers

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum 

Inputs: Lincoln County Cattleman’s Association, livestock leaders, volunteer leaders, local schools, Lincoln County Fair Board, Vo-Ag Program, FCS Program, FCCLA , FFA, Farm Bureau, Early Childhood and Head Start Programs, Family Resource Centers, Youth Service Center, local businesses, and community partners.

Facilities used will include the Lincoln County Extension Office, Lincoln County Schools (high, middle, and elementary), local businesses, various other community agencies, and fairgrounds. 

Date: all year 

 

Audience: Youth 

Activity: 4-H Day Camps 

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum 

Inputs:  Lincoln County Cattleman’s Association, livestock leaders, volunteer leaders, local schools, Lincoln County Fair Board, Vo-Ag Program, FCS Program, FCCLA , FFA, Farm Bureau, Early Childhood and Head Start Programs, Family Resource Centers, Youth Service Center, local businesses, and community partners.

Facilities used will include the Lincoln County Extension Office, Lincoln County Schools (high, middle, and elementary), local businesses, various other community agencies, and fairgrounds. 

Date: Summer 

 

Audience: 4-H Teen Club 

Activity: 4-H International Program 

Content or Curriculum: 4-H'ers and families in other states 

Inputs: Lincoln County Cattleman’s Association, livestock leaders, volunteer leaders, local schools, Lincoln County Fair Board, Vo-Ag Program, Farm Bureau, Early Childhood and Head Start Programs, physical therapy offices, Family Resource Centers, Youth Service Center, local businesses, hospitals. 

Facilities used will include the Lincoln County Extension Office, Lincoln County Schools (high, middle, and elementary), local doctors’ offices, local businesses, various other community agencies, and fairgrounds. 

Date: Summer 

 

Audience: Youth 

Activity: 4-H Club Meetings, classroom and community clubs 

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum 

Inputs: Lincoln County Cattleman’s Association, livestock leaders, volunteer leaders, local schools, Lincoln County Fair Board, Vo-Ag Program, Farm Bureau, Early Childhood and Head Start Programs, physical therapy offices, Family Resource Centers, Youth Service Center, local businesses, hospitals. 

Facilities used will include the Lincoln County Extension Office, Lincoln County Schools (high, middle, and elementary),, local businesses, various other community agencies, and fairgrounds. 

Date: Continuous throughout year 

 

Audience: General Public 

Activity: Newsletters 

Content or Curriculum: Current 4-H, FCS & Ag information 

Inputs: Lincoln County Cattleman’s Association, livestock leaders, volunteer leaders, local schools, Lincoln County Fair Board, Vo-Ag Program, FCS Program, FCCLA , FFA, Farm Bureau, Early Childhood and Head Start Programs, Family Resource Centers, Youth Service Center, local businesses, and community partners.

Facilities used will include the Lincoln County Extension Office, Lincoln County Schools (high, middle, and elementary),  local businesses, various other community agencies, and fairgrounds. 

Date: Quarterly  

 

Audience: General Public 

Activity: Radio Programs and Social Media Efforts 

Content or Curriculum: Current 4-H, FCS & Ag information 

Inputs: Lincoln County Cattleman’s Association, livestock leaders, volunteer leaders, local schools, Lincoln County Fair Board, Vo-Ag Program, FCS Program, FCCLA , FFA, Farm Bureau, Early Childhood and Head Start Programs, Family Resource Centers, Youth Service Center, local businesses, and community partners.

Facilities used will include the Lincoln County Extension Office, Lincoln County Schools (high, middle, and elementary),  local businesses, various other community agencies, and fairgrounds. 

Date: Daily 

 

Audience: General Public 

Activity: Sewing Workshops

Content: FCS Publications 

Inputs: Lincoln County Cattleman’s Association, livestock leaders, volunteer leaders, local schools, Lincoln County Fair Board, Vo-Ag Program, FCS Program, FCCLA , FFA, Farm Bureau, Early Childhood and Head Start Programs, Family Resource Centers, Youth Service Center, local businesses, and community partners.

Facilities used will include the Lincoln County Extension Office, Lincoln County Schools (high, middle, and elementary),local businesses, various other community agencies, and fairgrounds. 

Date: All Year 

 

Audience: General Public

Activity:  "Makers' Classes

Content or Curriculum: FCS information 

Inputs:Lincoln County Cattleman’s Association, livestock leaders, volunteer leaders, local schools, Lincoln County Fair Board, Vo-Ag Program, FCS Program, FCCLA , FFA, Farm Bureau, Early Childhood and Head Start Programs, Family Resource Centers, Youth Service Center, local businesses, and community partners.

Facilities used will include the Lincoln County Extension Office, Lincoln County Schools (high, middle, and elementary), local businesses, various other community agencies, and fairgrounds. 

Date: All Year

Audience: Youth 

Activity: 4-H Shooting Sports 

Content or Curriculum: Certified Leaders and 4-H Curriculum 

Inputs: Lincoln County Cattleman’s Association, livestock leaders, volunteer leaders, local schools, Lincoln County Fair Board, Vo-Ag Program, FCS Program, FCCLA , FFA, Farm Bureau, Early Childhood and Head Start Programs, Family Resource Centers, Youth Service Center, local businesses, and community partners.

Facilities used will include the Lincoln County Extension Office, Lincoln County Schools (high, middle, and elementary),  local businesses, various other community agencies, and fairgrounds. 

Date: Continuous throughout year 

 

Audience: General Public, Farm Families

Activity: Farm Taxes/Record-keeping 

Content or Curriculum: Ag and FCS information 

Inputs:Lincoln County Cattleman’s Association, livestock leaders, volunteer leaders, local schools, Lincoln County Fair Board, Vo-Ag Program, FCS Program, FCCLA , FFA, Farm Bureau, Early Childhood and Head Start Programs, Family Resource Centers, Youth Service Center, local businesses, and community partners.

Facilities used will include the Lincoln County Extension Office, Lincoln County Schools (high, middle, and elementary), local businesses, various other community agencies, and fairgrounds. 

Date: Upon Request by Clientele 

 

Audience: General Public 

Activity: Budgeting and Resource Management 

Content or Curriculum: FCS Curriculum 

Inputs: Lincoln County Cattleman’s Association, livestock leaders, volunteer leaders, local schools, Lincoln County Fair Board, Vo-Ag Program, FCS Program, FCCLA , FFA, Farm Bureau, Early Childhood and Head Start Programs, Family Resource Centers, Youth Service Center, local businesses, and community partners.

Facilities used will include the Lincoln County Extension Office, Lincoln County Schools (high, middle, and elementary), local businesses, various other community agencies, and fairgrounds. 

Date: Upon Request by Clientele 

 

Audience: General Public

Activity: Works in Progress, hands on project assistance days

Content or Curriculum: FCS Materials 

Inputs: Lincoln County Cattleman’s Association, livestock leaders, volunteer leaders, local schools, Lincoln County Fair Board, Vo-Ag Program, FCS Program, FCCLA , FFA, Farm Bureau, Early Childhood and Head Start Programs, Family Resource Centers, Youth Service Center, local businesses, and community partners.

Facilities used will include the Lincoln County Extension Office, Lincoln County Schools (high, middle, and elementary), local businesses, various other community agencies, and fairgrounds. 

Date: All Year

Audience: General Public 

Activity: Food Preparation/Preservation 

Content or Curriculum: FCS Curriculum

Inputs: Lincoln County Cattleman’s Association, livestock leaders, volunteer leaders, local schools, Lincoln County Fair Board, Vo-Ag Program, FCS Program, FCCLA , FFA, Farm Bureau, Early Childhood and Head Start Programs, Family Resource Centers, Youth Service Center, local businesses, and community partners.

Facilities used will include the Lincoln County Extension Office, Lincoln County Schools (high, middle, and elementary),  local businesses, various other community agencies, and fairgrounds. 

Date: Throughout the year

Audience: General Public 

Activity: Family Outreach 

Content or Curriculum: Current 4-H, FCS & Ag information 

Inputs: Lincoln County Cattleman’s Association, livestock leaders, volunteer leaders, local schools, Lincoln County Fair Board, Vo-Ag Program, FCS Program, FCCLA , FFA, Farm Bureau, Early Childhood and Head Start Programs, Family Resource Centers, Youth Service Center, local businesses, and community partners.

Facilities used will include the Lincoln County Extension Office, Lincoln County Schools (high, middle, and elementary),  local businesses, various other community agencies, and fairgrounds. 

Date: Throughout the year at community events, Floral Hall, and planned Partnership Events

Success Stories