Johnson County CES

County Emphasis:

Building Life Skills for Stronger Communities

Concentration 1:

Work and Life Skill Development

Concentration 2:

Family and Youth Development

Concentration 3:

Financial Security and Economic Well-Being

Concentration 4:

Building Leadership Capacity

Situation:

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. To ensure a sustainable society, it is crucial that our youth are equipped to fill these positions. 

In Kentucky, economic uncertainty due to job market fluctuations and agricultural shifts impacts youth through unstable family environments and limited resources. Hospitality, retail, and tourism generated over $10 billion in 2023, with job growth in culinary arts, tourism, and hobby industries. The unemployment rate increased by 4.7% from July 2023 to July 2024. According to the Kentucky Cooperative Extension System Community Needs Assessment (2023), priorities include building financial literacy and resource management skills, youth life skill training (e.g., leadership and communication), strengthening youth workforce readiness (e.g., entrepreneurship, business development), and engaging diverse and non-traditional youth audiences. 

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.

4-H opportunities profoundly impact individuals and communities in Kentucky by equipping youth with essential skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving, fostering personal leadership, and community engagement. Skills like analytical thinking, creative thinking, resilience, flexibility, and adaptability are key to future employment (World Economic Forum, 2023). 77% of employers say that there should be less focus on traditional school subjects and more focus on real-world skills (Kauffman Foundation, 2021). In the 2023 University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service Needs Assessment youth life skill training opportunities (such as leadership and communication skill opportunities), strengthening youth workforce readiness, and strengthening youth-adult or mentorship relationships were top priorities across Kentucky.

County Situation:

The economic future of Johnson County depends heavily on the next generation stepping up to fill critical gaps in our local workforce. Our community needs assessment identified youth life skills training as the top priority, underscoring the urgency of preparing young people for successful, self-sufficient futures.

According to Kentucky by the Numbers, over 30% of children in Johnson County live in poverty, with more than 1,500 youth receiving SNAP assistance. Additionally, over 2,400 youth in our county are classified as economically disadvantaged. As poverty rates continue to rise in our region, it is essential that local youth are equipped with the skills and tools needed to qualify for the many job openings currently going unfilled across Kentucky.

Economic data from Blueprint Kentucky shows that only 26% of Johnson County’s population earns labor income. Our current unemployment rate stands at 6%—two percentage points higher than both the state and national averages. Notably, youth aged 14–21 already represent approximately 11% of our total workforce, highlighting their significant role in the local labor market.

The Johnson County Extension Office is well-positioned to be a driving force in this effort. By offering life skills training and development opportunities, we can help empower our youth to become capable, confident contributors to our local economy after graduation.

Long-Term Outcomes:

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

Youth will make sound financial decisions.

Youth will more effectively communicate, work with others, and contribute to driving change and shaping the future.

Intermediate Outcomes:

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

Youth will plan and implement a service project.

Youth will practice responsible consumer and financial management decision-making such as budgeting, actions on needs verses wants.   

Youth will practice habits and skills that contribute toward sound economic and financial well-being.

Initial Outcomes:

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

Increased knowledge of career pathways.

Youth will practice civic engagement, leadership and communication skills.

Youth will increase knowledge in understanding personal financial management.

Evaluation:

Outcome: Short term  

Indicator: 

Number of youth who reported learning  the differences between purchases made for “needs” vs “wants” 

Number of youth who reported that they learned about budgeting. 

Number of youth who reported that they learned about savings.

Method: Standard Evaluation Tool for 4-H Family Consumer Sciences: Survey

Timeline: Immediate Post Program

Outcome: Medium Term 

Indicator: 

Number of youth who reported that they have identified  one or more jobs that might be a good fit for them in Family Consumer Sciences.  

Number of youth who reported that have taken steps to pursue gaining knowledge for a job in Family Consumer Sciences.  

Number of youth who reported that they have practiced budgeting skills.  

Number of youth who reported that they have practiced needs versus wants knowledge when making purchases on a budget. . 

Number of youth who reported that they have included savings in their budget.  

Method: Standard Evaluation Tool for 4-H Family Consumer Sciences: Survey

Timeline: End of program year

Outcome: Long Term

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

Method: Survey or Interview

Timeline: 1+ years

Learning Opportunities:

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 

Audience: 4-Hers, Extension Professionals, Clientele 

Project or Activity: 4-H Life and Work Readiness (Club/Group/Individual) 

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.

Dates: Program Year 

Audience: Youth  

Project or Activity: Reality Store

Content or Curriculum: It’s Your Reality 

Inputs: 4-H Family and Consumer Sciences programs in which youth experience a sense of belonging, and developmental relationships, explore their spark, and actively engage in meaningful opportunities.  

Accredited and certified volunteers in 4-H FCS projects. 

Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association 

Clothing Volunteers 

Four residential camping facilities.  

Cooperative Extension Educational facilities.  

Utilization of approved research-based curriculum. 

Outreach of the Cooperative Extension Land-Grant System.  

Funding from the Kentucky 4-H Foundation, Inc.  

Funding from local, state, and federal sources.  

Engagement of youth and volunteers in program delivery.  

Engaging communities in identifying and implementing programming based on local needs. 

Date: September 1 – August 30 

Audience: Youth  

Project or Activity: Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference

Content or Curriculum: 

4-H Major Study of Emphasis  

Money Habitudes  

Building a Healthy Wealthy Future  

Jump$tart: Reality Check  

Money Smart  

Building Your Financial Future 

Inputs: 4-H Family and Consumer Sciences programs in which youth experience a sense of belonging, and developmental relationships, explore their spark, and actively engage in meaningful opportunities.  

Accredited and certified volunteers in 4-H FCS projects. 

Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association 

Clothing Volunteers 

Four residential camping facilities.  

Cooperative Extension Educational facilities.  

Utilization of approved research-based curriculum. 

Outreach of the Cooperative Extension Land-Grant System.  

Funding from the Kentucky 4-H Foundation, Inc.  

Funding from local, state, and federal sources.  

Engagement of youth and volunteers in program delivery.  

Engaging communities in identifying and implementing programming based on local needs.

Date: September 1 – August 30

Evaluation:

Outcome: Short term  

Indicator: 

Number of youth who reported learning  the differences between purchases made for “needs” vs “wants” 

Number of youth who reported that they learned about budgeting. 

Number of youth who reported that they learned about savings.

Method: Standard Evaluation Tool for 4-H Family Consumer Sciences: Survey

Timeline: Immediate Post Program

Outcome: Medium Term 

Indicator: 

Number of youth who reported that they have identified  one or more jobs that might be a good fit for them in Family Consumer Sciences.  

Number of youth who reported that have taken steps to pursue gaining knowledge for a job in Family Consumer Sciences.  

Number of youth who reported that they have practiced budgeting skills.  

Number of youth who reported that they have practiced needs versus wants knowledge when making purchases on a budget. . 

Number of youth who reported that they have included savings in their budget.  

Method: Standard Evaluation Tool for 4-H Family Consumer Sciences: Survey

Timeline: End of program year

Outcome: Long Term

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

Method: Survey or Interview

Timeline: 1+ years