Estill County CES

County Emphasis:

Work and Life Skill Development in Estill County

Concentration 1:

Work and Life Skill Development

Concentration 2:

Family and Youth Development

Concentration 3:

Financial Security and Economic Well-Being

Concentration 4:

Small Farm Development

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:

Kentucky by the numbers reports that in 2022, there were 14,044 residents in Estill County. Only 11.1% of those residents have a bachelor’s degree or above, meaning that 88.9% of the community only have a high school diploma or less. On top of that, 21.3% live in poverty, 24.7% of children live in poverty, and there is a 5% unemployment rate. Programs that emphasize time management, money management, and career building ideas and leadership development will work to improve the employability and financial improvement for Estill County citizens.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Adult

• Increased human capital among Kentuckians
• Decrease in state unemployment rates
• Improved quality of workforce

Youth

• Youth will demonstrate necessary leadership, teamwork, and communication skills needed to be successful in the workplace
• Youth participation in community involvement increases
• Youth will serve in leadership roles in their community
• Youth will more effectively communicate, work with others, and contribute to driving change and shaping the future
• Youth will become engaged, healthy, and productive members of their communities

Intermediate Outcomes:

Adult

• Increased implementation of employability strategies/skills
• Increased salary/income
• Increased employment

Youth

• Youth will practice teamwork, responsibility, communication, conflict resolution techniques, and problem-solving skills
• Youth will plan and implement a service project
• Youth will choose to take on leadership roles in their community

Initial Outcomes:

Adult

• Developed skills related to workforce development
• Improved employability and interpersonal skills
• Increased confidence to implement employability strategies
• Developed strategies for maintaining a health work-life balance

Youth

• Youth identify personal strengths that contribute to life and work skill development
• Increased knowledge of career pathways
• Increased knowledge of educational, training, and certification opportunities
• Youth will practice civic engagement, leadership and communication skills

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Improved employability and/or interpersonal skills (e.g., job interview skills, communication, networking, time management) (initial) 

Indicator: 

• Number of participants who reported improvement in job interview skills; (2) Number of participants who reported improvement in personal skills
• Number of youths 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
• Number of youths who reported improvement in their confidence to implement employment strategies as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach
• Number of youths who reported that they learned strategies for managing their work-life responsibilities as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach
• Number of youths who report expressing their thoughts or opinions
• Number of youths who reported using information to communicate with others 
• Number of youths who reported demonstrating a skill they have learned
• Number of youths who reported serving in a leadership role

Method: Self-reported surveys 

Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration or follow-up evaluation 

 

Intermediate Outcome: Implementation of employability strategies/skills (intermediate) 

Indicator: 

• Number of participants who developed a resume as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach
• Number of youths who developed a resume because of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach 
• Number of youths who gained an increase in salary/income because of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach
• Number of youths who gained new employment as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach

Method: Standard Evaluation 

Timeline: End of program year 

 

Long-term Outcome:

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

Method: Survey or Interview 

Timeline: 1+ years 

 

Learning Opportunities:

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: Ongoing 

 

Audience: Individuals, Families, Employees 

Project or Activity: Development of Employability Skills 

Content or Curriculum: Positive Employability; Preparing for Financial Success curriculum; publications, newsletters (e.g., MONEYWI$E); Job Club; podcasts; PROFIT; Recovering Your Finances curriculum; OneOp: Enhancing Essential Skills Through the Arts curriculum and lessons, Artist Studio Guide lessons, publications 

Inputs: Programmatic materials, paid staff, volunteers, community partners, non-profit organizations, schools, Court system, community centers, etc. 

Date: Ongoing 

 

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: Program Year  

 

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Improved employability and/or interpersonal skills (e.g., job interview skills, communication, networking, time management) (initial) 

Indicator: 

• Number of participants who reported improvement in job interview skills; (2) Number of participants who reported improvement in personal skills
• Number of youths 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
• Number of youths who reported improvement in their confidence to implement employment strategies as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach
• Number of youths who reported that they learned strategies for managing their work-life responsibilities as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach
• Number of youths who report expressing their thoughts or opinions
• Number of youths who reported using information to communicate with others 
• Number of youths who reported demonstrating a skill they have learned
• Number of youths who reported serving in a leadership role

Method: Self-reported surveys 

Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration or follow-up evaluation 

 

Intermediate Outcome: Implementation of employability strategies/skills (intermediate) 

Indicator: 

• Number of participants who developed a resume as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach
• Number of youths who developed a resume because of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach 
• Number of youths who gained an increase in salary/income because of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach
• Number of youths who gained new employment as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach

Method: Standard Evaluation 

Timeline: End of program year 

 

Long-term Outcome:

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

Method: Survey or Interview 

Timeline: 1+ years