Kenton County CES

Title:

2024 2025 21st Century Life Skills/Developing Human Capital

MAP:

Economic and Workplace Development 2024 2025

Agents Involved:

Denise Donahue, Dan Allen, Diane Kelley, Joan Bowling, Brandon George, Lori Clark, Anna Meyers

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Workforce Preparation – 4-H Youth Development

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Community Vitality and Leadership -FCS

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Economic Development

Situation:

The Kentucky Extension Community Assessment Statewide Report 2019 indicates that money management for families and youth and employee “soft/essential skills” training continue to be important issues statewide. Research conducted by Harvard University, the Carnegie Foundation, and Stanford Research Center indicates 85% of job success comes from having well developed soft and people skills, and only 15% of job success comes from technical skills and knowledge (hard skills). Studies show in the United States, only 1/3 of high school seniors are college ready. Only 1/3 of high school graduates are work-ready. 

Employers are often prepared to teach technical job skills; however, the intangible skills of being a team player, time management, and positive attitude are difficult to teach on-sight but critical to success.   

Long-Term Outcomes:

• More effective employees and community leaders.
• Improved financial capability for Kentuckians, results in better quality of life and stronger families.
• Gainful employment in rewarding careers 
• Lower unemployment rates 
• Full participation in local and state community 

Intermediate Outcomes:

• 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.
• Successful completion of post-secondary programs
• Entry into careers of choice
• Lower amounts of student loan debts

Initial Outcomes:

• Change knowledge, opinions, skills, and aspirations, to improve employability through work and practical living skills and continuing education practices. 
• Better alignment with expectations with Schools, Postsecondary Institutions, and Businesses
• Increased funding and resources to 4-H Programs
• Increased participation in local and state 4-H Programs   
• Sustained, higher-quality 4-H programs 
• Higher graduation rates 
• Increased entry into post-secondary programs 
• Increased access to financial aid

Evaluation:

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 (nonverbal, quasi-verbal, and verbal) in conversation (Listening and Inquiry)

Method: Pre/Post Evaluation 

Timeline: Following Positive Employability 

Outcome: Networking Skills 

Indicator: Number of individuals reporting increased levels of confidence in the area: participate in a productive business conversation (Networking for Success)

Method: Pre/Post Evaluation 

Timeline: Following Positive Employability 

Learning Opportunities:

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES: 

Audience:   4-H Members (ages 9-18) ,4-H Member’s & Families
Project:  Leverage partnerships to enhance existing initiatives around college & career readiness
Content:  KY 4-H Agent-written Workforce Preparation curriculum pieces are currently on the 4-H Agent Resource Guide: Resource Guide > Family & Consumer Science > Workforce Preparation; National 4-H Career Readiness Framework; Kentucky Career Clusters (there are actually 16,  https://education.ky.gov/CTE/kytech/Documents/Career%20Clusters%20Update.pdf
 Input:  4-H Agent, curriculum publications and resources, local employers and community leaders
Date:  8/2024 to 5/2025

Project: Expand exploration, development, and practical application of academic learning and 21^st Century Skills for Success
Content:  KY 4-H Agent-written Workforce Preparation curriculum pieces are currently on the 4-H Agent Resource Guide: Resource Guide > Family & Consumer Science > Workforce Preparation;  National 4-H Career Readiness Framework;  Kentucky Career Clusters (there are actually 16, https://education.ky.gov/CTE/kytech/Documents/Career%20Clusters%20Update.pdf
Input:  4-H Agent, curriculum publications and resources, local employers and community leaders
Date: 8/2024 to 5/2025

Audience: Kenton County 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Record Books
Content or Curriculum: Corresponding 4-H Record Books
Inputs: Agents, Volunteers, Club leaders, and Families
Date: June 2025

 Audience:  Homeowners
 Activity:  Ins and Outs of Downsizing your Home
 Content or Curriculum: UK publications
 Inputs: FCS agent
 Date March 2025

 

Audience: General Public

Activity: Consumer Fraud Protection

Content: UK Publication, Sec of State

Date: October 2024

 Audience:  General public
 Activity: Savvy Sellers and Bargain Hunters
 Content: UK curriculum
 Inputs: FCS agent, thrift store personnel, antique professional
 Date:  April 2024

Audience: Kenton 4-H Youth Middle and High School 

Activity: 4-H “It’s Your Reality”
Content or Curriculum: UK Copyrighted Inputs
Inputs: Agents, County Middle and High Schools, FYRSC Coordinators, teachers, parents, program funds, guidance counselors
Date: School Year 2024 – 2025

Audience: Youth Grade School 

Activity: “Dollars & Sense”
Content or Curriculum: UK Copyrighted
Inputs:  Agents, County wide Grade Schools, FYRSC Coordinators, teachers, parents, program funds
Date: School Year 2024—2025

 Activity: 4-H School Clubs, Communication Events
Content or Curriculum: Speech and Demo lesson is part of every curriculum
Inputs: Agent, Volunteers, Schools, Assistants
Date: September 2024 – July 2025

Activity: 4-H Achievement Forms and Recognition
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Leadership Achievement Curriculum
Inputs: Agents, Assistants, Volunteers, Parents
Date: September 2024– June 2025

 Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: Expressive Art
Content or Curriculum: National 4-H Art Curriculum
Inputs: Agents & assistants
Date: July 2024-June 2025

Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: Livestock Judging and Skill-a-thon
Content or Curriculum: Ohio State Livestock Kits, University of Kentucky’s Livestock Discovery
Inputs: Volunteer team coach, JudgingPro.com, parent volunteers, local farms, county van, Marshall Rd. Office, program support funds, 4-H agent
Date: November 2024- June 2025

 

Audience: Agriculture community

 Project or Activity: My Farm is a Business

 Content or Curriculum: UK Publications, Annie’s Project

 Inputs: Agents, local professionals

 Date: September, October, November 2024

 

Success Stories

Middle School Communication and Leadership skills developing

Author: Diane Kelley

Major Program: Communications & Expressive Arts

Youth leadership opportunities in 4-H clubs are a fundamental aspect of 4-H Youth programs. Partnering with Twenhofel Middle School, Kenton County 4-H provided facilitated research-based leadership learning opportunities for middle school students identified by their school for participation.  The multiyear series is currently reaching 18 youth monthly, additionally lesson materials and instruction are provided for an afterschool small group led by the school FRYSC coordinator. Capital

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