Mason County CES

County Emphasis:

Strengthening youth-adult or mentorship skills

Concentration 1:

Family and Youth Development

Concentration 2:

Work and Life Skill Development

Concentration 3:

Building Leadership Capacity

Situation:

Family and Youth Development programming is essential for fostering healthy, supportive environments where both children and adults can thrive. By offering structured activities and educational workshops, UK Extension aims to build strong family bonds equipping young people and older adults with critical life skills. Guided by the Cooperative Extension’s National Framework for Health Equity and Well-being, our programming also addresses social and emotional needs throughout the lifespan, promoting resilience and positive relationships which are two of the key concerns identified in the top 15 needs of Kentucky’s statewide needs assessment. Investing in such programs can prevent future challenges by supporting early intervention and personal growth. Ultimately, these initiatives contribute to the well-being of individuals and the stability of communities, making them a vital component of social development. Leadership is critical at several levels, from elected officials and internal management structure of organizations to project managers, team leaders, and those who inspire throughout a community. Thriving communities may require many leaders willing to take on leadership roles. And yet, it can be a challenge to identify new leaders or to encourage leaders to step up to the role without first building leadership capacity (CEDIK 2024). Respondents participating in the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Community Needs Assessment identified the need to build leadership capacity to enhance individual and family development and community and economic development. Kentucky has a statewide need to “prepare community members for formal/informal leadership and/or volunteer roles” and to build “capacity of local nonprofits and community leaders,” according to the survey. UK Extension aims to work on strengthening critical leadership skills and confidence for new and emerging leaders so that the pool of willing and capable leaders can rise to match local needs. Volunteer training can have motivational benefits ranging from inspiring volunteers to get more involved to keeping them in the program (Fox, Hebert, Martin & Bairnsfather, 2009).

County Situation:

In Mason County, Family and Youth Development programming through UK Cooperative Extension is committed to fostering resilient families and nurturing strong community ties. By addressing critical social and emotional needs across the lifespan and promoting leadership development, the Extension supports both personal growth and community stability. Guided by Kentucky’s statewide needs assessment, we are focused on strengthening family relationships, building life skills, and preparing residents for meaningful leadership and volunteer roles, ensuring a thriving and sustainable future for our county

Long-Term Outcomes:

• Strong leadership pool for community boards and organizations
• Improved local economy
• Improved quality of life for citizens
• Youth will demonstrate necessary leadership, teamwork, and communication skills needed to be successful in the workplace.
• Increased meaningful social connections
• Increased support network
• Improved quality of family life

Intermediate Outcomes:

• Increased healthy relationships across generations that support healthy community, nurturing behaviors, and quality time together.
• Enhanced community partnership that equitably support family health (e.g., FRISC, Health Depart., DAIL, AAA,)
• Youth will practice teamwork, responsibility, communication, conflict resolution techniques, and problem-solving skills.
• Increased knowledge transfer through volunteer-led positions
• Participants gain confidence to lead

  Leaders are inspired to get more involved

  Leaders address community issues and needs
  
  

Initial Outcomes:

• Youth will explore their spark in leadership. 
• Youth identify personal strengths that contribute to leadership skill development (communication, teamwork, civic engagement).  
• Youth successfully worked in a team environment to accomplish a task.  
• Youth realize how their actions impact others
• Improved leadership skills
• Enhanced knowledge of concepts and practices
• Knowledge gained through training programs
• Taking on leadership roles for the first time
• Assuming new leadership roles
• Participants give their time to serve in volunteer roles
• Increased knowledge about nurturing parenting and caregiving across the life span.
• Increased awareness of community resources to support healthy families.
• Increased confidence making decisions related to parenting and caregiving.
• Increased confidence and motivation to reduce loneliness and social isolation.
• Improved skills related to nurturing parenting and caregiver support
• Increased intentions to employ health-promoting behaviors (e.g., reading to your child, spending time together, self-care, caregiver preparation, active living).

Evaluation:

Outcome: Short Term  

Indicator: 

Number of youth who reported that they have identified personal strengths in leadership (including teamwork, responsibilities, communication, conflict resolution, problem solving, parliamentary procedure).  

Number of youth who reported that they have set goals to serve in leadership roles.  

Number of youth who reported that they are interested in serving as a leader. 

Method: Survey  

Timeline: After Program/ Activity Completion  

Outcome: Medium Term

Indicator: 

Number of youth who reported that they 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.  

Number of youth who reported that they have served in leadership roles beyond the 4-H club or county level. 

Number of youth who reported that they have used the skills learned in to plan and implement a workshop or activity.  

Method: Survey 

Timeline: At end of Club/Program Year  

Outcome: Long Term

Indicator: Long-term evaluation will be conducted using the National 4-H Index Study

Method: Survey  

Timeline: At least a year from participation

Outcome: Improved leadership skills. (initial)

Indicator: Number of people reporting improved leadership skills (e.g., facilitation, conflict management, communication).

Method: Post participation survey (self-assessment of learning gains)

Timeline: Survey will be collected immediately after program participation

Outcome: Expanded leadership engagement among program participants. (initial)

Indicator: Number of people assuming new leadership roles (formal or informal) as a result of Extension leadership programs.

Method: Post-participation survey (self-reported leadership role adoption); annual follow-up tracking leadership retention.

Timeline: Initial survey collected at program completion; follow-up evaluation annually

Outcome: Giving time to serve in volunteer roles (e.g., KEHA or KALP members, Master programs, etc.). (initial)

Indicator: Number of people volunteering time to assist Extension or community activities and events (ex: KEHA or KALP members, Master programs, etc.)

Method: Post participation survey (self-assessment of learning gains)

Timeline: Survey will be collected immediately after program participation; also monthly, quarterly, or annual volunteer hour reports.

Outcome: Increased engagement via knowledge transfer through volunteer-led Extension programs. (initial)

Indicator: Number of participants who actively engaged in learning opportunities facilitated by trained Extension volunteers (e.g., KEHA or KALP members, Master programs).

Method: Post-event/program surveys measuring participant engagement and knowledge gained; volunteer reports tracking education interactions.

Timeline: Data collected immediately after each program/event.

Outcome: Enhanced community partnerships that equitably support family health (e.g., FRISC, Health Depart., DAIL, AAA,)(intermediate)

Indicator: Number of participants who reported seeking support from local community organizations and/or its individual member.

Method: Self-reported surveys

Timeline: Repeated self-reported surveys and/or follow-up evaluations to capture behavior change over time

Outcome: Increased healthy relationships across generations that support healthy communication, nurturing behaviors, and quality time together. (intermediate)

Indicator: 

Number of participants who reported they enhanced healthy relationships.

Number of participants who reported that they extended any type of support to another parent, grandparent, older adult, or relative raising a child.

Method: Self-reported surveys

Timeline: Ongoing/as changes are made and projects progress.

Outcome: Short term

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 that they improved their job interview skills as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach.
• Number of youth who reported an improvement in their personal skills (e.g., communication, networking, time management) as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach

Method: Standard Evaluation 

Timeline: Immediately post program (6+ hours)  

Learning Opportunities:

Audience:

Audience: Families and Individuals

Project or Activity: Kindergarten Readiness

Content or Curriculum: Laugh and Learn Playdates, Understanding Disability, Information Releases, and Publications, L.E.A.P

Inputs: Programmatic materials, paid staff, community partners, volunteers, faith-based organizations, HeadStart/daycare organizations, healthcare providers and local clinics, health department, non-profits, schools, Homemakers, community centers, etc.

Date: Ongoing

Audience: Families and Individuals

Project or Activity: Communication/Relationships Across the Lifespan

Content or Curriculum: Pathways to Wellness, Shared Space Agreements, Trail development, Active Community Toolkit, Be More Guide, resources for early care and education settings, , SNAP-Ed toolkit; Kick Kentucky Cancer; Living with Loss; Mental Health Matters; In the Face of Disaster Toolkit; Understanding Risky Adolescent Behavior and Healthy Brain Development; WITS Workout; 

Inputs: Programmatic materials, paid staff, community partners, volunteers, grant funds, local organizations and community partners, health coalitions, Nutrition Education Program, local farms/growers/producers, key stakeholders, elected officials, Department of Transportation, employee health and wellness, schools, etc.

Date: Ongoing

Audience: Youth  

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. 

Dates: Pre-Summer 

Audience: Individuals

Project or Activity: Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association (KEHA)

Content or Curriculum: KEHA Leadership Academy, Homemakers Leader Lessons, Publications, Newsletters/News & Notes, Officer/Chairman training materials, KEHA State Meeting, various other resources and materials

Inputs: Programmatic materials, training, mentoring, paid staff, volunteers, community partners, non-profits, etc.

Dates: Ongoing

Audience: adult & youth

Project or Activity: Master Gardeners & Jr. Master Gardeners

Content or Curriculum: Master Gardener certificate 

Inputs: Programmatic materials, training, mentoring, paid staff, volunteers, community partners, non-profits, etc.

Dates: Ongoing

 Audience: 4-Hers, Extension Professionals, Clientele 

 Project or Activity: 4-H Core Program Areas (Leadership, Agriculture, Natural Resources, Communcation 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.

 Dates: Program Year

Evaluation:

Outcome: Short Term  

Indicator: 

Number of youth who reported that they have identified personal strengths in leadership (including teamwork, responsibilities, communication, conflict resolution, problem solving, parliamentary procedure).  

Number of youth who reported that they have set goals to serve in leadership roles.  

Number of youth who reported that they are interested in serving as a leader. 

Method: Survey  

Timeline: After Program/ Activity Completion  

Outcome: Medium Term

Indicator: 

Number of youth who reported that they 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.  

Number of youth who reported that they have served in leadership roles beyond the 4-H club or county level. 

Number of youth who reported that they have used the skills learned in to plan and implement a workshop or activity.  

Method: Survey 

Timeline: At end of Club/Program Year  

Outcome: Long Term

Indicator: Long-term evaluation will be conducted using the National 4-H Index Study

Method: Survey  

Timeline: At least a year from participation

Outcome: Improved leadership skills. (initial)

Indicator: Number of people reporting improved leadership skills (e.g., facilitation, conflict management, communication).

Method: Post participation survey (self-assessment of learning gains)

Timeline: Survey will be collected immediately after program participation

Outcome: Expanded leadership engagement among program participants. (initial)

Indicator: Number of people assuming new leadership roles (formal or informal) as a result of Extension leadership programs.

Method: Post-participation survey (self-reported leadership role adoption); annual follow-up tracking leadership retention.

Timeline: Initial survey collected at program completion; follow-up evaluation annually

Outcome: Giving time to serve in volunteer roles (e.g., KEHA or KALP members, Master programs, etc.). (initial)

Indicator: Number of people volunteering time to assist Extension or community activities and events (ex: KEHA or KALP members, Master programs, etc.)

Method: Post participation survey (self-assessment of learning gains)

Timeline: Survey will be collected immediately after program participation; also monthly, quarterly, or annual volunteer hour reports.

Outcome: Increased engagement via knowledge transfer through volunteer-led Extension programs. (initial)

Indicator: Number of participants who actively engaged in learning opportunities facilitated by trained Extension volunteers (e.g., KEHA or KALP members, Master programs).

Method: Post-event/program surveys measuring participant engagement and knowledge gained; volunteer reports tracking education interactions.

Timeline: Data collected immediately after each program/event.

Outcome: Enhanced community partnerships that equitably support family health (e.g., FRISC, Health Depart., DAIL, AAA,)(intermediate)

Indicator: Number of participants who reported seeking support from local community organizations and/or its individual member.

Method: Self-reported surveys

Timeline: Repeated self-reported surveys and/or follow-up evaluations to capture behavior change over time

Outcome: Increased healthy relationships across generations that support healthy communication, nurturing behaviors, and quality time together. (intermediate)

Indicator: 

Number of participants who reported they enhanced healthy relationships.

Number of participants who reported that they extended any type of support to another parent, grandparent, older adult, or relative raising a child.

Method: Self-reported surveys

Timeline: Ongoing/as changes are made and projects progress.

Outcome: Short term

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 that they improved their job interview skills as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach.
• Number of youth who reported an improvement in their personal skills (e.g., communication, networking, time management) as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach

Method: Standard Evaluation 

Timeline: Immediately post program (6+ hours)