Clinton County CES

County Emphasis:

Enhancing Leadership Capacity & Community Engagement

Concentration 1:

Connected & Resilient Communities

Concentration 2:

Building Leadership Capacity

Concentration 3:

Work and Life Skill Development

Concentration 4:

Financial Security and Economic Well-Being

Situation:

The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension aims to build leadership capacity and life skills across Kentucky to address critical community, economic, and workforce challenges. Leadership development is essential at all levels—from local volunteers to elected officials—and is seen as a foundation for individual, family, and community advancement. The state faces challenges such as declining household incomes, low workforce participation, and a need for increased human capital. UK Extension responds with programs in job readiness, financial literacy, soft skills, and volunteer training.

Youth development through 4-H is a central focus. 4-H fosters leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills among young people while preparing them for the workforce and civic life. National surveys highlight the program’s positive impact on youth career exploration, community involvement, and personal development. These efforts help create connected, resilient communities ready to meet future challenges.

Additionally, UK Extension promotes digital literacy, environmental sustainability, disaster preparedness, and economic resilience through education and community engagement. With over 2.4 million job openings in Kentucky and many future jobs not yet defined, real-world skill development—especially among youth—is crucial for long-term societal sustainability.

County Situation:

Adults and youth in our community lack the education, life, and workforce skills necessary to holding good jobs and creating healthy and stable foundations for families. An estimated 14.6% of the 9,123 residents live in Clinton County below the poverty level and the median household income in 2022 was $41,180 (Kentucky By The Numbers). The community has 170 small business and local organizations. Fortunately, there has only been one emergency and disaster declaration in the last 10 years (Kentucky By The Numbers). 

In a review of community indicated needs, 2024 Community Assessment results indicated the following prioritized issues: Strengthening adult workforce readiness (including entrepreneurship, and business development skills); Opportunities that promote a sense of local community (e.g., community events, creative expression, and community gardens); Collaborations among community organizations and local government, particularly representing or working with underserved populations; Youth life skill training opportunities including leadership and communication skill building; Strengthening youth workforce readiness; Strengthening youth-adult or mentorship relationships; Access to high speed internet; Building financial literacy and resource management skills; and Helping individuals, families, and farmers and/or businesses prepare for natural disasters; and Sustainability of family farms.

Extension remains dedicated to engaging, educating, and empowering the youth and adults of Clinton County. Our aim is to assist them in making responsible life choices through collaborative efforts and partnerships to deliver quality educational programming targeting leadership opportunities, skills for positive communication, safety initiatives, and hands-on learning experiences.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Adults:

Strong boards and organizations accomplish more in the community

Improved quality of life for citizens

Expanded partnerships enhance problem-solving and resource-sharing

The sustainability of agricultural and forestry operations is increased and opportunities for further growth are improved.

Youth:

Youth will more effectively communicate, work with others, and contribute to driving change and shaping the future.
Youth will demonstrate necessary leadership, teamwork, and communication skills needed to be successful in the workplace. 

Intermediate Outcomes:

Adults

New partnerships and networks address community challenges

Increased implementation of employability strategies/skills

New or improved practices, behaviors, or choices that will occur in participants or communities because of the knowledge or awareness they gained from their contact with Extension (these are behavior change outcomes that are typically measured in follow-up evaluations because they require time to mature.)

Youth

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

Initial Outcomes:

Youth & Adults

Improved awareness of civic engagement opportunities.

Leaders recruit and engage others to participate in community projects

Improved employability and interpersonal skills

Develop the skills and ability of Woodland owners and Ag producers to actively manage wildlife-related damage and nuisance.

Evaluation:

Adults

Short-term

Outcome: Improved understanding of disaster preparedness and recovery strategies 

Indicator: Number of participants who reported that they intend to develop an emergency plan or preparedness kit after completing an Extension disaster training.

Method: Pre- and post-training survey.

Timeline: Collected before and after each session.

Outcome: Improved leadership skills. 

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

Medium-term

Outcome: More individuals engage in local governance and civic groups 

Indicator: Number of participants who reported increased involvement in local governance, community groups, or public forums as a result of program participation.

Method: Participant self-reporting and organizational membership tracking.

Timeline: Follow-up at 6 and 12 months.

Outcome:  Improved quality of life through connection and civic engagement

Indicator:  Number of participants who reported experiencing stronger ties to their community as a result of participating in Extension arts programming with others.

Method: pre- and post- surveys from program participation

Timeline: after program participation

Long-term

Outcome: Increased community pride 

Indicator: Number of participants reporting a stronger sense of pride, identity, or community investment after engaging in Extension initiatives.

Method: Photos, documentation, post-program survey; follow up.

Timeline: Survey collected immediately after program completion; follow-up conduced at 3 and 6 months.

Youth

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

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 and adults 

Project or Activity: Teen Leadership Clinton County 

Content or Curriculum: Leadership development opportunities, KELD Curriculum, UK publications, Substance Use Prevention Curricula.

Inputs: Community agencies, 21st Century Program, UK Specialists and Agents, Adanta Regional Prevention Center

Date: Monthly programming beginning with Leadership Retreat in collaboration with Adanta Regional Prevention Center July 2025

Audience: General Public 

Project or Activity: Extension Homemaker Club Leader Trainings/Community Workshops

Content or Curriculum: KEHA lessons, Extension programs, etc.

Inputs: KEHA state approved lessons, Extension publications

Date: 2nd Tuesday of each month beginning August 2025

Audience: Individuals

Project or Activity: Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery

Content or Curriculum: EDEN materials, KHERN publications, trainings, continuing education

Inputs: Programmatic materials, paid staff, volunteers, community partners, etc.

Date: August-September 2025

Audience: Communities

Project or Activity: Building Connection in Communities

Content or Curriculum: SPARK! toolkit, Placemaking Toolkit, Community Design publications, Community Arts publications, CLD publications, Building Community Pop-Up Toolkit, Creative Community Projects toolkit, Community Mural toolkit, Story Circles, curriculum, trainings, continuing education, Civic Engagement publications, Coalition and Network building publications

Inputs: Programmatic materials, paid staff, community partners, volunteers, etc.

Date: Ongoing

Evaluation:

Adults

Short-term

Outcome: Improved understanding of disaster preparedness and recovery strategies 

Indicator: Number of participants who reported that they intend to develop an emergency plan or preparedness kit after completing an Extension disaster training.

Method: Pre- and post-training survey.

Timeline: Collected before and after each session.

Outcome: Improved leadership skills. 

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

Medium-term

Outcome: More individuals engage in local governance and civic groups 

Indicator: Number of participants who reported increased involvement in local governance, community groups, or public forums as a result of program participation.

Method: Participant self-reporting and organizational membership tracking.

Timeline: Follow-up at 6 and 12 months.

Outcome:  Improved quality of life through connection and civic engagement

Indicator:  Number of participants who reported experiencing stronger ties to their community as a result of participating in Extension arts programming with others.

Method: pre- and post- surveys from program participation

Timeline: after program participation

Long-term

Outcome: Increased community pride 

Indicator: Number of participants reporting a stronger sense of pride, identity, or community investment after engaging in Extension initiatives.

Method: Photos, documentation, post-program survey; follow up.

Timeline: Survey collected immediately after program completion; follow-up conduced at 3 and 6 months.

Youth

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