Jefferson County CES

County Emphasis:

Fostering Leadership Skills, Civic Engagement, and Life Skills through Education and Guidance

Concentration 1:

Building Leadership Capacity

Concentration 2:

Financial Security and Economic Well-Being

Concentration 3:

Work and Life Skill Development

Situation:

Leadership is critical at several levels, from elected officials and internal management structures of organizations to project managers, team leaders, and those who inspire throughout a community. Thriving communities require many leaders willing to take on leadership roles. However, identifying new leaders or encouraging individuals to step up can be a challenge without first building leadership capacity (CEDIK 2024).

4-H opportunities profoundly impact individuals and communities in Kentucky by equipping youth with essential skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. These experiences foster personal leadership and encourage community engagement. In the 2023 University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service Needs Assessment, key priorities across Kentucky included youth life skill training opportunities—such as leadership and communication skill development, strengthening youth workforce readiness and enhancing youth-adult mentorship relationships.

The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) is committed to improving the financial security and economic well-being of families across the Commonwealth. Related CES programming is designed to help Kentuckians become more economically resilient by promoting financial literacy education, comprehensive family resource management skills, and small business engagement and support. Additionally, CES is dedicated to enhancing work and life skill development for adults across the Commonwealth. Programs focus on increasing human capital by providing education and training on workforce preparation, job readiness, financial literacy, soft skills, and professionalism, among other essential topics.

County Situation:

Essential life skills—like budgeting, communication, and family management—are crucial for individual well-being, family stability, and community resilience. In the wake of the Great Recession, many Kentuckians became more financially aware. Yet, Jefferson County lags behind national averages in personal income, poverty, unemployment, and household debt. The Securing Financial Stability Initiative supports financial literacy and healthy money habits across all life stages.

 Leadership development is equally important. Leadership, decision-making, and communication skills help both youth and adults avoid issues like bullying and build healthy relationships. Experiential learning and goal-setting foster confidence and prepare for future success.

Stable family and parenting relationships also play a vital role. Children who begin school without key developmental skills face greater academic and long-term challenges.

Long-Term Outcomes:

• Improved quality of life for citizens
• Youth will more effectively communicate, work with others, and contribute to driving change and shaping the future
• Strong leadership for community boards and organizations
• Increased financial literacy skills

Intermediate Outcomes:

• Leaders address community issues and needs
• Youth and adults will practice responsible consumer and financial management decision-making such as budgeting, actions on needs versus wants

Initial Outcomes:

• Youth identify personal strengths that contribute to leadership skill development (communication, teamwork, civic engagement)
• Improved leadership skills
• Increase knowledge in understanding personal financial management
• Identify personal strengths that contribute to life and work skill development.

Evaluation:

Outcome	Improved knowledge related to financial literacy concepts
Indicator	Number of individuals who reported increased knowledge of family finance and/or resource management concepts.
Method	Self-reported surveys
Timeline	Post-program/curricula survey administration

 

Outcome	Improved knowledge of learning skills to prepare for the workforce.
Indicator	Number of youth who reported learning new skills to prepare or improve themselves for the workforce as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach. Number of youth who reported realizing how my actions impact others.  Number of volunteers who facilitated experiences for youth to work in a team/group to accomplish a common task or goal.
Method	Survey
Timeline	4-H Program Year (September 1 – August 31)

 

Outcome	Developed skills related to workforce development
Indicator	Number of individuals who reported learning new skills to prepare or improved themselves for the workforce because of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach
Method	Self-reported surveys
Timeline	Post-program/curricula survey administration

 

Outcome	Knowledge gained in leadership skills and communication
Indicator	Number of youth who reported that they identified and/or applied leadership skills learned in 4-H (e.g., teamwork, responsibilities, communication, conflict resolution, problem solving, parliamentary procedure) to other areas of their life, such as at home, school, etc.
Method	Survey
Timeline	4-H Program Year (September 1 – August 31)

Learning Opportunities:

Audience	Individuals, Families, Employees
Project or Activity	Development of Financial Literacy Skills
Content or Curriculum	Use Less. Spend Less. Stress Less. curriculum; publications; MONEYWI$E newsletter and podcasts; PROFIT; Recovering Your Finances curriculum; OneOp; Big Blue Book Club; In the Face of Disaster; Leader Lessons; Money Habitudes; etc.
Inputs	Programmatic materials, paid staff, volunteers, community partners, non-profit organizations, schools, financial entities and organizations, businesses, etc.
Date(s)	Ongoing

 

Audience	Individuals, Families, Employees
Project or Activity	Development of Time Management Skills
Content or Curriculum	Time Well Spent: Productivity Skills for Success curriculum; publications, newsletters; Leader Lessons; podcasts; etc.
Inputs	Programmatic materials, paid staff, volunteers, community partners, non-profit organizations, schools, Chamber of Commerce, businesses, etc.
Date(s)	Ongoing

 

Audience	4-Hers, Extension Professionals, Clientele
Project or Activity	4-H Resume, Cover Letter, Interview Skills, 4-H Life and Work Readiness
Content or Curriculum	Kentucky 4-H Work & Life Readiness Lessons, 4-H Build Your Future, Work Ready Life Skills, and Leap into Careers.
Inputs	These programs are supported by the research base of the Cooperative Extension Land-grant system, funding from the Kentucky 4-H Foundation, Inc., local, state, and federal sources, grants, and the engagement of volunteers, youth, communities, and external stakeholders such as civic groups. Focus is on Grades 4-12.
Date(s)	4-H Program Year (September 1 – August 31)

 

Audience	4-Hers, Extension Professionals, Clientele
Project or Activity	4-H Core Program Areas (Leadership, Agriculture, Natural Resources, Communication and Expressive Arts, Science, Engineering and Technology, Health and Wellbeing, and Family Consumer Sciences), 4-H Camp, Cloverbud, Volunteerism
Content or Curriculum	Approved Kentucky 4-H Curriculum by Core Program Area or Area of Interest
Inputs	These programs are supported by the research base of the Cooperative Extension Land-grant system, funding from the Kentucky 4-H Foundation, Inc., local, state, and federal sources, grants, and the engagement of volunteers, youth, communities, and external stakeholders.
Date(s)	4-H Program Year (September 1 – August 31)

 

Audience	4-H Members
Project or Activity	4-H Camp Counselor Training (Teens)
Content or Curriculum	Content in the Camp Volunteer Training Guide is sourced from the American Camp Association best practices and focuses on developmental needs of campers, safety considerations, operating procedures, age-appropriate behavior management, and camper supervision techniques
Inputs	These trainings are supported by the research base of the American Camp Association with materials provided by the 4-H State Office, funding from the Kentucky 4-H Foundation, Inc., local, state, and federal sources, grants, and led by County Extension Staff responsible for 4-H Camp.
Date(s)	Pre-Summer Camp

Audience	4-H Members
Project or Activity	4-H Leadership Program
Content or Curriculum	Curriculum such as Leadership Skills you never outgrow is sourced from Shop 4-H and Ricochet: An Extreme 4-H Leadership Adventure is sourced from other Land Grant Systems. All curriculum pieces focus on leadership, communication, and civic engagement.
Inputs	In school clubs for middle and high school, after school clubs for teens, area teen councils, Middle school leadership clubs, and civic engagement opportunities. These programs are supported by the research base of the Cooperative Extension Land-grant system, funding from the Kentucky 4-H Foundation, Inc., local, state, and federal sources, grants, and the engagement of volunteers, youth, communities, and external stakeholders such as civic groups.
Date(s)	4-H Program Year (September 1 – August 31)

Evaluation:

Outcome	Improved knowledge related to financial literacy concepts
Indicator	Number of individuals who reported increased knowledge of family finance and/or resource management concepts.
Method	Self-reported surveys
Timeline	Post-program/curricula survey administration

 

Outcome	Improved knowledge of learning skills to prepare for the workforce.
Indicator	Number of youth who reported learning new skills to prepare or improve themselves for the workforce as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach. Number of youth who reported realizing how my actions impact others.  Number of volunteers who facilitated experiences for youth to work in a team/group to accomplish a common task or goal.
Method	Survey
Timeline	4-H Program Year (September 1 – August 31)

 

Outcome	Developed skills related to workforce development
Indicator	Number of individuals who reported learning new skills to prepare or improved themselves for the workforce because of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach
Method	Self-reported surveys
Timeline	Post-program/curricula survey administration

 

Outcome	Knowledge gained in leadership skills and communication
Indicator	Number of youth who reported that they identified and/or applied leadership skills learned in 4-H (e.g., teamwork, responsibilities, communication, conflict resolution, problem solving, parliamentary procedure) to other areas of their life, such as at home, school, etc.
Method	Survey
Timeline	4-H Program Year (September 1 – August 31)