Martin County CES

Title:

Better Living Through 4-H Programming

MAP:

4-H Family and Consumer Science

Agents Involved:

4-H

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Communications & Expressive Arts

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Leadership

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Health & Wellbeing

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Family and Consumer Science

Situation:

Over the last 25 years, the number of stay-at-home parents has decreased. Parents have increasingly relied on schools to teach concepts and skills once taught within the family. With societal changes and cuts in school budgets, many schools have eliminated family and consumer science labs and no longer include or have decreased FCS instruction in the curriculum. In nutrition alone, the lack of basic life skills is evidenced by alarming rises in childhood obesity, poor diets of youth of all ages, and an overreliance on packaged/fast food.

Life choices are often based more on personal desires rather than factual information. Those who seek information often turn to internet sources which may not be based in research. Decision-making may be based on product marketing claims, family tradition, myths, faulty information, and lack of knowledge. Today’s massive health and economic problems are due in part to the lack of instruction in the home by parents and in school through Family and Consumer Sciences classes.

As we continue to progress through the 21^st century a number of factors have gained prevalence within Family and Consumer Science driven by the increase of online and mobile shopping, the rise of video based at home tutorials, and the shifting family structures as evident by 17% of stay-at-home parents being fathers. The ever changing landscape of the family and the consumer highlights the need for a responsive and innovative FCS program while also providing the basic needs that all families have as they navigate lives many challenges. Kentucky 4-H Seeks to meet these needs through working with youth and families in a variety of situations to increase their consumer awareness, financial management, nutrition, culinary arts, textiles, housing, and human development. 

Long-Term Outcomes:

• 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. 

Intermediate Outcomes:

·Utilize and practice life skills in projects and life situations 

·Project a positive image and self-confidence 

·Practice responsible consumer and financial decision-making 

·Practice healthy eating choices 

·Make choices that lead to responsible and beneficial results 

·Adopt habits and skills that contribute toward employability in the future 

Initial Outcomes:

·Gain knowledge and develop skills in Family & Consumer Sciences projects and programs 

·Understand the decision-making process 

·Gain skills in setting a goal and developing a plan of action

·Learn to read and follow instructions 

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Youth will gain knowledge and develop skills in Family & Consumer Sciences 

Indicator:  Increase in number of youth displaying progress toward knowledge of living a healthy lifestyle.

Method: 4-H Common MeasuresPre and Post Tests

Timeline: July - December 2024-2026

Intermediate Outcome: Youth will project a positive self image of themselves and make health choices.

Indicator: Increase in number of youth applying skills to live a healthy and well rounded lifestyle.

Method: 4- H Common Measures Pre and Post Tests

Timeline: January - June 2024-2026

Long-term Outcome: Youth will become productive members of society.

Indicator: Martin County will have an increased number of college and wok ready students, an increase in community leaders, a decrease in obesity and more family ready citizens.

Method: Observation

Timeline: 4 Years

Learning Opportunities:

Audience:  Preschool – 8^th Grade

Project or Activity:  Heritage Days

Content or Curriculum:  Acres of Adventures 1; Acres of Adventures 2; Bee Ambassadors;  Local Traditions  

Inputs:  Curriculum, Extension Professionals, Volunteers, Teachers, Resource Centers, Extension Funding, Donations, School System Funding, Martin County Schools, Martin County Beekeeper Association, Kentucky Farm Bureau, School System Facilities 

Dates: September – October 2024-2026

Audience:  9^th – 12^th Grade

Project or Activity:  In-School Sewing Clubs

Content or Curriculum: Style Engineers, Keeping 4-H in Stitches. Upcycle it, Steam Clothing, Instructor Expertise

Inputs: Extension Professionals, Extension Funding Volunteers, Teachers, High School Facilities

Dates:   September – May 2024-2026

Audience: 8^th Grade, High School Sophomores

Project or Activity:  Career Readiness Fair

Content or Curriculum:  It’s Your Reality, Career Fair, Operation Preparation

Inputs:  Extension Professionals, School Resource Centers, Martin County High School Facilities, Martin County Middle School Facilities, Extension Funds, School System Funds, Kentucky Farm Bureau, High School Staff, Middle School Staff, Volunteers, Community Partners

Dates: Fall and Spring Semester 2024-2026

Audience: 9^th Grade

Project or Activity:  Workforce Preparation

Content or Curriculum: Kentucky Workforce Prep Curriculum, Classroom Instruction

Inputs: Extension Professionals, Volunteers, Teachers, High School Facilities, Extension Funds

Dates:  September – May 2024-2026

Audience: 3^rd Grade

Project or Activity:  In-School Clubs

Content or Curriculum:  Professor Popcorn

Inputs:  Extension Professionals, Teachers, Elementary School Facilities, Extension Funding

Dates:  September - May 2024-2026

Audience:  4^th – 12^th Grade

Project or Activity:  Summer Educational Camps

Content or Curriculum: Variety of 4-H Health Curriculum 

Inputs: Extension Professionals, School Resource Centers, Martin County Elementary School Facilities, Extension Funds, School System Funds, Kentucky Farm Bureau, Elementary School Staff, Middle School Staff, High School Staff, Volunteers, Community Partners

Dates: May – June 2024-2026

Success Stories