Leslie County CES

County Emphasis:

Investing in Community Leaders

Concentration 1:

Work and Life Skill Development

Concentration 2:

Financial Security and Economic Well-Being

Concentration 3:

Connected & Resilient Communities

Situation:

Kentucky household income statistics are concerning, with the median household income in Kentucky on a downward trend (i.e., approximately $55,100, which is 74% of the U.S. median income). Most alarming, it is estimated that nearly 62% of Kentucky households do not generate sufficient income to meet living wage standards given the state’s average cost of living. The Kentucky Center for Business and Economic Research (2024) projects that, “a key for Kentucky’s future economic growth is to identify and successfully implement programs that increase the employment-population ratio, particularly for working-age adults.” The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) is committed to improving the work and life skill development of adults across the Commonwealth by offering programming designed to increase the human capital of constituents. This includes providing education and training on topics such as workforce preparation, job readiness, financial literacy, soft skills, and professionalism, among others.

In a 2023 University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Community Needs Assessment, with nearly 28,000 responses from across the state, Building Employee Soft Skills (e.g., communication, productivity, and teamwork skills) and Building Life Skills of Community Members were among the top ten Individual and Family Development Needs reported by Kentuckians.

Youth Focus

America’s future hinges on a prepared workforce and engaged communities collaborating to tackle society’s most pressing challenges. As of 2024, there are 2,465,949 job openings in Kentucky and nationwide there are 10 million unfilled jobs. Fasted growing jobs are in the fields of vocational education and higher education teachers, agriculture professionals, and digitally enabled roles: ecommerce specialists, digital transformation specialists, and digital marketing professionals (World Economic Forum, 2023). 85% of the jobs that will exist in 2030 haven’t been invented yet (Dell Technologies, 2019). 77% of employers say focus less on traditional school subjects, more on real-world skills (Kauffman Foundation, 2021). Skills like analytical thinking, creative thinking, resilience, flexibility, adaptability are key (World Economic Forum, 2023). According to the National 4-H Index Study 2024, 80% explored career options, 50% received guidance for college decisions, and 95% reported 4-H helped them identify things they were good at. To ensure a sustainable society, it is crucial that our youth are equipped to fill these positions. The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension System Community Needs Assessment (2023) has identified key priority issues related to life skill development for young people. These priorities include youth life skill training opportunities, youth workforce readiness, and maximizing youth voice in matters that directly impact them. Empowering our youth to actively participate in addressing societal issues is essential for a thriving future.

County Situation:

Leslie County continues to face significant challenges related to economic stability, youth development, and community resilience. According to the 2023 University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Community Needs Assessment, top local priorities include minimizing youth substance use, improving youth life skills training, strengthening workforce readiness, and increasing access to financial literacy and relationship-building skills (University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension, 2023). These issues are compounded by broader state-level concerns, including a declining median household income and nearly two-thirds of Kentucky households struggling to meet living wage standards (Kentucky Center for Business and Economic Research, 2024). Our community recognizes that empowering individuals—especially youth—with real-world skills, such as financial literacy, communication, decision-making, and emergency preparedness, is essential for long-term success. The Kentucky Center for Business and Economic Research notes that strengthening the employment-population ratio is key to future growth, while national data emphasizes the importance of life and work readiness in the face of rapidly evolving job markets (Kentucky Center for Business and Economic Research, 2024; World Economic Forum, 2023). Additionally, research shows that 85% of the jobs that will exist in 2030 haven’t been invented yet, with an increasing need for skills like adaptability, creative thinking, and problem-solving (Dell Technologies, 2019; Kauffman Foundation, 2021). The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service is well-positioned to address these challenges through targeted programming that supports life skills education, workforce preparedness, and leadership development for youth and adults. By investing in our people, we are building a more resilient, adaptable, and economically secure future for Leslie County.

Long-Term Outcomes:

-Decrease in state unemployment rates

- Youth will demonstrate necessary leadership, teamwork, and communication skills needed to be successful in the workplace. 

Intermediate Outcomes:

- Increased implementation of employability strategies/skills

- Youth will practice teamwork, responsibility, communication, conflict resolution techniques, and problem-solving skills.

Initial Outcomes:

- Strengthening work and life skills, including but not limited to, developing workforce development skills, employability and interpersonal skills, and work-life management strategies. 

- Youth identify personal strengths that contribute to life and work skill development.

Evaluation:

Outcome: Improved knowledge related to financial literacy concepts (initial)

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: Increased sound financial decision making (intermediate)

Indicator: Number of individuals who made a sound financial decision (e.g., regarding credit, budgeting, savings, debt, estate planning, fraud reduction, etc.).

Method: Self-reported surveys, documentation, or interviews

Timeline: Follow-up evaluations to capture action/behavior change over time.

Outcome: Improved business development and operation skills (e.g. marketing, branding, customer outreach)

Indicator: Number of small businesses who report developing skills related to business marketing, expansion, or retention through participating in Extension programming.

Method: Self-reported surveys, documentation, direct report

Timeline: Post-program survey administration; follow-up evaluation

Learning Opportunities:

 

Audience: Extension Homemakers and Community

Project or Activity: Homemaker, KEHA Leader Lesson/Lunch-n-Learn Program

Content or Curriculum: FCS & KEHA State Curriculum

Inputs: Quicksand Area FCS Agents

Date: August 2025-May 2026

 

Audience: Extension Homemakers

Project or Activity: Community Service Projects

Content or Curriculum: FCS Curriculum

Inputs: Extension Homemakers; FCS Agent; Service Agencies

Date: July 2025-June 2026

 

Audience:  Youth, Extension Homemakers, Community

Project or Activity: Cultural and Expressive Arts

Content or Curriculum: Leslie County Extension Art Club, Cultural and Heritage Arts, Approved Core Curriculums

Inputs: Homemakers, Volunteers; Extension Agents and staff, Art Club 

Date: July 2025-June 2026

Audience: Community Artisan Entrepreneurs

Project or Activity: Annual Holiday Cultural  Arts Bazaar

Content or Curriculum: Local Community Arts Celebration and Appreciation Promotion

Inputs: Extension Agents and staff; Extension volunteers; community members

Date: Winter 2025 and 2026 (Annual Event)

 

Audience: Youth ages 9-18

Project or Activity:  4-H Summer Residential Camp

Content or Curriculum:  4-H Summer Camp Program Activities for Personal Development and Leadership

Inputs: 4-H Agent;  Program Assistant, Extension Agents; Extension Staff; Teen and Adult Volunteers; Summer Camp Staff; Camp Manager; UK 4-H Summer Camp Specialist 

Date:  Summer 2025 and 2026 (Annual Event)

 

Audience: Youth (Grades 8-12)

Project or Activity: 4-H State Teen Conference

Content or Curriculum: Teen Leadership

Inputs: 4-H Agent; Program Assistant, Teens, 4-H State Teen Council and Officers, Volunteers and UK Specialists

Date: June 2025 and 2026 (Continuing  Annual Event)

Audience: Community/Homemakers

Project or Activity: Come Sew with Us 

Content or Curriculum: Cultural Arts & Sewing project Resources,

Inputs: Quicksand Area Master Clothing Volunteers, FCS Agents; Extension Staff and Volunteers

Date: June 2026  (Held Annually at two rotated locations)

 

Audience: Youth (Grades 4-12)

Project or Activity: Leslie County 4-H Youth Recognition

Content or Curriculum: Community Development

Inputs: 4-H Agent; Extension Staff, Leslie County Schools

Date: Spring 2025 and 2026

 

Audience:  Engaged/Interested Extension Volunteers;  Extension Agents and Staff

Project or Activity:  2025 Kentucky Extension Volunteer Forum

Content or Curriculum:  Celebration and Recognition of Extension Volunteers and Youth, Achievements and Accomplishments; Recertification and Professional Development

Inputs:  Extension Agents; UK Volunteer Specialist; Extension Volunteer Leaders and Stakeholders

Date:  February   ( Bi-Annual Event, even years)

 

Audience: Senior Citizens, Adults/Youth/Families

Project or Activity: Disaster and Emergency Preparedness

Content or Curriculum: Disaster Preparedness/Survive and Thrive  and UK Emergency Preparedness Approved Materials

Inputs: FCS Agent ; Quicksand Area FCS Agents; State Specialists

Date: July 2025-June 2026

 

Audience: Homemakers/Community/Families

Project or Activity: Quicksand Area Traveling Holiday Road Show

Content or Curriculum: Moneywise/Financial Management Curriculum/ UK SNAP Resources 

Inputs: Quicksand Area FCS Agents , Extension Staff and UK Specialists

Date: November 2025 & 2026: Annual Program

Audience: KEHA Extension Homemakers and Community

Project or Activity: KEHA Extension Homemakers Annual Meeting, Mary Breckinridge Festival/ Cultural Arts Displays and Recognition of Homemaker Leaders and Participants

Content or Curriculum: KEHA Manual: Cultural Arts Categories; Community Sharing; Tourism; Partnerships,

Inputs: FCS Agent; Extension Homemakers; Extension Staff; Community Service/Partnership, Community Volunteers

Date: Fall 2025 and 2026 (Annually)

Evaluation:

Outcome: Improved knowledge related to financial literacy concepts (initial)

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: Increased sound financial decision making (intermediate)

Indicator: Number of individuals who made a sound financial decision (e.g., regarding credit, budgeting, savings, debt, estate planning, fraud reduction, etc.).

Method: Self-reported surveys, documentation, or interviews

Timeline: Follow-up evaluations to capture action/behavior change over time.

Outcome: Improved business development and operation skills (e.g. marketing, branding, customer outreach)

Indicator: Number of small businesses who report developing skills related to business marketing, expansion, or retention through participating in Extension programming.

Method: Self-reported surveys, documentation, direct report

Timeline: Post-program survey administration; follow-up evaluation