Magoffin County CES

County Emphasis:

Life Skills Training

Concentration 1:

Work and Life Skill Development

Concentration 2:

Family and Youth 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.

Family and Youth Development programming is essential for fostering healthy, supportive environments where both children and adults can thrive. By offering structured activities and educational workshops, UK Extension aims to build strong family bonds equipping young people and older adults with critical life skills. Guided by the Cooperative Extension’s National Framework for Health Equity and Well-being, our programming also addresses social and emotional needs throughout the lifespan, promoting resilience and positive relationships which are two of the key concerns identified in the top 15 needs of Kentucky’s statewide needs assessment. Investing in such programs can prevent future challenges by supporting early intervention and personal growth. Ultimately, these initiatives contribute to the well-being of individuals and the stability of communities, making them a vital component of social development.

County Situation:

Magoffin county has a very high rate of poverty and high unemployment rate.  Because of these factors, there is a huge need for programs that will educate and enable youth and adults to prepare for jobs and careers. By targeting our youth, it will help to prepare them to enter the job force ready to face the challenges that are presented to them. Life skills classes are not offered at the middle school level and few at the high school level. The Family and Consumer Sciences Advisory Council met to discuss needs for programming in the county.  They made the recommendation that financial literacy, job preparedness, and skills needed to go into a professional job interview are needs that should be addressed with our youth in the county. 

Long-Term Outcomes:

Improved quality of workforce

Youth will become engaged, healthy, and productive members of their communities.

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

Increased meaningful social connections

Increased support network

Improved quality of family life

Increased kindergarten readiness rates in the county and state

Intermediate Outcomes:

Increased implementation of employability strategies/skills

Increased salary/income

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

Increased healthy relationships across generations that support healthy community, nurturing behaviors, and quality time together.

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. 

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 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.

Increased knowledge about nurturing parenting and caregiving across the life span.

Increased awareness of community resources to support healthy families.

Increased confidence making decisions related to parenting and caregiving.

Increased confidence and motivation to reduce loneliness and social isolation.

Evaluation:

Outcome: Increased confidence and motivation to engage in nurturing parenting and caregiver support (e.g., how often you read to your child, benefits of spending time together, identifying selfcare behaviors, enhance communication) (initial)

Indicator: Number of participants who reported they have used nurturing parenting and/or caregiving strategies to improve their skills

Method: Self-reported surveys

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

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.

Method: Self-reported surveys

Timeline: Repeated self-reported surveys and/or follow-up evaluations to capture action/behavior change over time.

Outcome: Short term

Indicator: 

Number of youth who reported learning new skills to prepare or improve themselves for the workforce as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach.

Number of youth who reported that they improved their job interview skills as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach.

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. 

Number of youth who reported improvement in their confidence to implement employment strategies as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach.

Number of youth 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 youth who reported expressing their thoughts or opinions. 

Number of youth who reported using information to communicate with others. 

Number of youth who reported demonstrating a skill they have learned. 

Number of youth who reported serving in a leadership role. 

Number of youth who reported working in a team / group to accomplish a common task or goal. 

Number of youth who reported realizing how my actions impact others. 

Number of youth reporting identifying the needs of others in their community. 

Number of youth who reported participating in a service activity (community service, service learning, personal service to others). 

Number of youth who reported recognizing leaders in their community or area of interest. 

Number of volunteers who taught youth to express their thoughts or opinions. 

Number of volunteers who taught youth how to use information to communicate with others. 

Number of volunteers who provided opportunities for youth to demonstrate a skill they learned. 

Number of volunteers who provided opportunities for youth to serve in a leadership role. 

Number of volunteers who facilitated experiences for youth to work in a team/group to accomplish a common task or goal.  

Number of volunteers who helped youth understand how their actions impact others. 

Number of volunteers who facilitated the identification of the needs of others in their community. 

Number of volunteers who coordinated service activities (community service, service learning, personal service to others). 

Number of volunteers who taught youth to recognize leaders in their community or area of interest.

Method: Standard Evaluation 

Timeline: Immediately post program (6+ hours) 

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: 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: Families and Individuals

Project or Activity: Kindergarten Readiness

Content or Curriculum: Laugh and Learn Playdates, Understanding Disability, Information Releases, and Publications

Inputs: Programmatic materials, paid staff, community partners, volunteers, faith-based organizations, HeadStart/daycare organizations, healthcare providers and local clinics, health department, non-profits, schools, Homemakers, community centers, etc.

Date: Ongoing

Evaluation:

Outcome: Increased confidence and motivation to engage in nurturing parenting and caregiver support (e.g., how often you read to your child, benefits of spending time together, identifying selfcare behaviors, enhance communication) (initial)

Indicator: Number of participants who reported they have used nurturing parenting and/or caregiving strategies to improve their skills

Method: Self-reported surveys

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

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.

Method: Self-reported surveys

Timeline: Repeated self-reported surveys and/or follow-up evaluations to capture action/behavior change over time.

Outcome: Short term

Indicator: 

Number of youth who reported learning new skills to prepare or improve themselves for the workforce as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach.

Number of youth who reported that they improved their job interview skills as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach.

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. 

Number of youth who reported improvement in their confidence to implement employment strategies as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach.

Number of youth 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 youth who reported expressing their thoughts or opinions. 

Number of youth who reported using information to communicate with others. 

Number of youth who reported demonstrating a skill they have learned. 

Number of youth who reported serving in a leadership role. 

Number of youth who reported working in a team / group to accomplish a common task or goal. 

Number of youth who reported realizing how my actions impact others. 

Number of youth reporting identifying the needs of others in their community. 

Number of youth who reported participating in a service activity (community service, service learning, personal service to others). 

Number of youth who reported recognizing leaders in their community or area of interest. 

Number of volunteers who taught youth to express their thoughts or opinions. 

Number of volunteers who taught youth how to use information to communicate with others. 

Number of volunteers who provided opportunities for youth to demonstrate a skill they learned. 

Number of volunteers who provided opportunities for youth to serve in a leadership role. 

Number of volunteers who facilitated experiences for youth to work in a team/group to accomplish a common task or goal.  

Number of volunteers who helped youth understand how their actions impact others. 

Number of volunteers who facilitated the identification of the needs of others in their community. 

Number of volunteers who coordinated service activities (community service, service learning, personal service to others). 

Number of volunteers who taught youth to recognize leaders in their community or area of interest.

Method: Standard Evaluation 

Timeline: Immediately post program (6+ hours)