Washington County CES

Title:

Increasing life skills education and leadership excellence for youth and families

MAP:

Developing Leadership, Volunteers, and Life Skills

Agents Involved:

Cabrina Buckman, Dennis Morgeson, Melissa Richardson, Taylor Graves, Laura Milburn, NEP

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Community Leadership Development

Situation:

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. 

Long-Term Outcomes:

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.

Intermediate Outcomes:

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.

Initial Outcomes:

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

Evaluation:

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

Learning Opportunities:

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