McLean County CES

County Emphasis:

Youth Development & Leadership Skills

Concentration 1:

Building Leadership Capacity

Concentration 2:

Family and Youth Development

Concentration 3:

Mental Health and Well-Being

Concentration 4:

Work and Life Skill Development

Situation:

As with any other Kentucky 4-H Core Curriculum area, when it comes to development of life skills, a strong case can be made for the need to go beyond mere transfer of knowledge to giving youth the opportunity for a variety of supportive, related learning experiences to significantly increase the program’s influence. 

4-H often offers basic learning activities on a topic of interest to youth but the addition of activities which support that interest (such as fair exhibits, related subject matter workshops or day camps, field trips, and decision-making judging contests) significantly increase the development of life skills in youth. In a study by Olson, Croymans and Ji (2014), 4-Hers reported that participating in 1 or 2 educational opportunities influenced the development of critical thinking and decision making skills, and participating in 6 to 8 opportunities significantly increased the program’s influence by adding development of life skills in leadership, planning/organization, wise use of resources, useful/marketable skills and accepting differences. 

County Situation:

Being a small rural community, McLean County has indicated through our community assessment a high regard for access to high speed internet for agricultural use, continued youth development and the life skills/mental health training that come along with that. Access to food and health rank high as well, leading to a strategy for our office to provide education in those areas for our community.  

Long-Term Outcomes:

McLean County Youth will:

• Be responsible and contributing individuals and family members. 

• Gain and maintain employment through life skill development.

• Contribute to a safe pleasant and productive home and family.

Intermediate Outcomes:

McLean County Youth will: 

• Utilize and practice life skills in projects and life situations 

• Project a positive image and self-confidence 

• Practice responsible consumer and financial decision-making 

• Practice healthy eating choices 

• Make choices that lead to responsible and beneficial results 

• Adopt habits and skills that contribute toward employability in the future

Initial Outcomes:

McLean County Youth will: 

• Gain knowledge and develop skills in Family & Consumer Sciences projects and programs 

• Understand the decision-making process 

• Gain skills in setting a goal and developing a plan of action 

• Learn to read and follow instructions

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Learning Opportunities:

Audience: K-8th 

Project or Activity: School Clubs

Content or Curriculum: Child Development General, LEAP, Mental Health & Well-Being 

Inputs: Agents, Teachers 

Date: Monthly 

Audience: 9 & Up 

Project or Activity: LEGO Robotics

Content or Curriculum: STEM, Building Leadership Capacity, Family & Youth Development

Inputs: Agents, Volunteers

Date: Monthly

Audience: 9 & Up

Project or Activity: Kentucky State Fair

Content or Curriculum: Family & Youth Development, Animal Production & Management, Building Leadership Capacity

Inputs: Agents, Specialists 

Date: August/ Yearly 

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