Lawrence County CES

County Emphasis:

Empowering Through Leadership, Life Skills, and Career Readiness

Concentration 1:

Work and Life Skill Development

Concentration 2:

Building Leadership Capacity

Concentration 3:

Connected & Resilient Communities

Concentration 4:

Financial Security and Economic Well-Being

Situation:

In today’s rapidly evolving world, youth are and can play a pivotal role in shaping the future of connected and resilient communities. They are actively engaged in community-building activities, promoting access to opportunity, and driving change. Thriving youth are healthy, productive, and engaged (Arnold, 2024). Communities that promote the indicators of youth thriving will have more connected, capable, and committed citizens that can critically think through addressing the needs and priorities of their community. According to the National 4-H Annual Index Survey (2024), 95% of youth identified their strengths through 4-H, 80% explored career options, and 50% received guidance for college decisions. 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. In Kentucky, economic uncertainty due to job market fluctuations and agricultural shifts impacts youth through unstable family environments and limited resources. 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. Advisory councils were involved in the development of this program by helping identify these community needs through the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension System Community Needs Assessment (2023).

County Situation:

In 2023, Lawrence County's unemployment rate was 5.7%, higher than the state average of 4.2%. The child poverty rate (under 18 years old) in Lawrence County was 29.0%. Additionally, 15.2% of children lived in food-insecure households in 2021.

These economic challenges have prompted the development of programs aimed at improving financial security and economic well-being, as well as building youth leadership capacity. Through 4-H programs, youth are empowered to develop essential life skills, such as leadership, communication, and problem-solving, while actively engaging in community projects. Advisory councils played a key role in the development of these programs by helping identify community needs through the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension System Community Needs Assessment, along with insight and recommendations provided by both community stakeholders and council members.

Long-Term Outcomes:

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

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

Youth participation in community involvement increases.??? 

Youth will make sound financial decisions. 

Intermediate Outcomes:

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

 Youth will plan and implement a service project. 

Youth identify personal strengths that contribute to leadership skill development (communication, teamwork, civic engagement).?? 

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.

Youth identify personal strengths that contribute to leadership skill development (communication, teamwork, civic engagement).

Youth will increase knowledge in understanding personal financial management. 

 

Evaluation:

Outcome: Short term

Indicator: 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)  

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.  

Method: Survey 

Timeline: At end of Club/Program Year  

Outcome: Short Term 4-H Camp

Indicator: Number of youth who reported that they take responsibility for their actions.   

Method: Survey 

Timeline: End of Camp

Outcome: Medium Term 

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

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

Timeline: End of program year

Learning Opportunities:

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.

Dates: Program Year 

Audience: Youth  

Project or Activity: Teen Conference

Content or Curriculum: Curriculum is sourced from Shop 4-H and the Land Grant System, focuses on leadership, communication, and civic engagement.

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.

Dates: Summer  

Audience: Youth 

Project or Activity: 4-H State Teen Council, Leadership Boards and Task Forces 

Content or Curriculum: Curriculum is sourced from Shop 4-H and the Land Grant System, focuses on leadership, communication, and civic engagement.

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. 

Dates: Throughout the Program year

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: Youth 

Project or Activity: 4-H Camp

Content or Curriculum: Curriculum is sourced from Shop 4-H, the Land Grant System and American Camp Association.

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: 4-H Program Year

Audience: 4-Hers, Professional Staff, & Clientele

Project or Activity: 4-H Civic Education, Engagement, & Service

Content or Curriculum: Curriculum is sourced from Shop 4-H and the Land Grant System, focuses on leadership, communication, civic engagement, and service. In addition to these sources are the vetted sources of iCivics.org, CommonSense.org, and PBS Learning Media, US Citizenship & Immigration Services

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. 

Date: 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 

Evaluation:

Outcome: Short term

Indicator: 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)  

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.  

Method: Survey 

Timeline: At end of Club/Program Year  

Outcome: Short Term 4-H Camp

Indicator: Number of youth who reported that they take responsibility for their actions.   

Method: Survey 

Timeline: End of Camp

Outcome: Medium Term 

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

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

Timeline: End of program year