Extension
It Starts With Us
Increasing life skills education and leadership excellence for youth and families
Developing Leadership, Volunteers, and Life Skills
Cabrina Buckman, Dennis Morgeson, Melissa Richardson, Taylor Graves, Laura Milburn, NEP
Community Leadership Development
Results from the 2023 Kentucky Extension Community Assessment identified youth life skill training opportunities (leadership and communication skill building opportunities) and strengthening youth workforce readiness including entrepreneurial and business development skills as two of the top five issues within our community. This assessment was completed by 250 members of the Washington County community and was specifically promoted within advisory council and County Extension Council meetings.
Participants of leadership programs will serve as volunteer leaders and/or mentors to others.
Clientele will gain and maintain employment through life skill development.
Families and individuals will make responsible and productive life choices that will contribute to home and community.
Participants will collaborate with coalitions, councils, programs, and other leaders.
Clientele will set and achieve goals through Extension programming.
Extension participants will apply skills learned through Extension programming at home, work, and in their community.
Develop adequate perceptions of leadership due to training opportunities for organizational and community leaders
Clientele will develop an understanding of goal setting
Participants will acquire decision making skills and gain an appreciation for civic engagement
Initial Outcome: Develop adequate perceptions of leadership due to training opportunities for organizational and community leaders
Indicator: Teen Leadership participants will apply lessons in leadership through completing assignments in the program
Method: verbal presentation
Timeline: spring
Intermediate Outcome: Participants will collaborate with coalitions, councils, programs, and other leaders.
Indicator: Participation on advisory councils and in programs
Method: sign in sheets and leader trainings
Timeline: throughout the year
Long-term Outcome: Participants of leadership programs will serve as volunteer leaders and/or mentors to others.
Indicator: return of program alumni to facilitate program
Method: observation
Timeline: continuous
Audience: youth and adult Extension clientele
Project or Activity: 4-H clothing and food projects, money management classes, meal planning and preparation lessons, safety programming, 4-H Teen Programming, horticulture programming
Content or Curriculum: Extension curriculum
Inputs: Extension resources, community partners, volunteers, and participants
Date: continuous throughout FY 2025
Audience: 7th grade students, high school students, council and board members, community participants
Project or Activity: Junior Leadership, Teen Leadership, Teen Advisory Council, Garden Club, Homemakers, 4-H Council, Agriculture Development Board, WC Cattlemen's Association, Washington on Wellness Coalition
Content or Curriculum: Extension curriculum
Inputs: Extension resources and specialists, community and civic organizations
Date: annual programming that will be offered continuously throughout FY 2025
Author: Melissa Schenck
Major Program: Camping
According the the American Camp Association young people who attend camp believe that camp helped them to make new friends (96%), helped them feel good about themselves (92%), and do things they were afraid to do at first (74%). 70% of parents who send their kids who camp said that camp helped their child gain self-confidence. In an effort to promote these, and other positive examples of self efficacy to youth in Washington County, the Washington County 4-H has strengthened their commitment
