Woodford County CES

County Emphasis:

Developing Life Skills Across Generations

Concentration 1:

Family and Youth Development

Concentration 2:

Work and Life Skill Development

Situation:

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.

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. 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.

County Situation:

According to the UK extension needs assessment in 2023, 14.3 percent of the community wants to see the school system and educational comments look for the needs of improvement in the community. The community also wants to talk about the teachers’ pay and the training that is provided for them. The education of students with special needs. Programs for home school children. Training the young adults in different kinds of trades and vocations.  In the UK needs assessment of Woodford County 22.9 percent see the need for youth development programs including recreation and physical activities, mental health support, prevention of bullying, youth violence and programs targeting youth life skills. According to the County's needs assessment, 15.7 percent of Woodford County's workforce preparation and employment needs education on workforce preparation and job readiness. Training young adults in basic jobs and training for trade schools.    Creating and sustaining these opportunities for the youth in the Woodford County community is our goal.

Long-Term Outcomes:

1. Increased meaningful social connections
2. Increased kindergarten readiness rates in the county and state
3. Increased caregiver preparation
4. Improved quality of family life

Intermediate Outcomes:

1. Increased healthy relationships across generations that support healthy community, nurturing behaviors, and quality time together.
2. Enhanced community partnership that equitably support family health (e.g., FRISC, Health Depart., DAIL, AAA,)
3. Increased implementation of employability strategies/skills

Initial Outcomes:

Strengthening family behaviors include, but are not limited to, spending time together, creating safe environments, engaging in positive communication, building supportive networks, showing appreciation, healthy stress management, engaging in regular selfcare, and adopting a positive outlook. Increased knowledge about nurturing parenting and caregiving across the life span. Increased confidence making decisions related to parenting and caregiving. Increased confidence and motivation to reduce loneliness and social isolation. Improved skills related to nurturing parenting and caregiver support Increased intentions to employ health-promoting behaviors (e.g., reading to your child, spending time together, self-care, caregiver preparation, active living). 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

Evaluation:

Outcome	Increased knowledge about nurturing parenting and caregiver support across the lifespan (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 increased knowledge of nurturing parenting and/or caregiver support practices.
Method	Self-reported surveys
Timeline	Post-program/curricula survey administration

 

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	Increased intentions to engage in nurturing parenting and caregiver support (e.g., spending more quality time together, engaging in meaningful talk) (initial)
Indicator	Number of participants who reported they intend/plan to increase time spent nurturing and/or caregiving.
Method	Self-reported surveys
Timeline	Post-program/curricula survey administration

 

Outcome	Enhanced community partnerships that equitably support family health (e.g., FRISC, Health Depart., DAIL, AAA,) (intermediate)
Indicator	Number of participants who reported seeking support from local community organizations and/or its individual member.
Method	Self-reported surveys
Timeline	Repeated self-reported surveys and/or follow-up evaluations to capture behavior change over time

 

Outcome	Increased healthy relationships across generations that support healthy communication, nurturing behaviors, and quality time together. (intermediate)
Indicator	Number of participants who reported they enhanced healthy relationships.
Method	Self-reported surveys
Timeline	Ongoing/as changes are made and projects progress.

 

 

Outcome	Short Term Youth
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 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 participating in a service activity (community service, service learning, personal service to others).  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)

 

Outcome	Medium Term Youth
Indicator	Number of youth who developed a resume as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach.
Method	Survey
Timeline	End of program year

 

Outcome	Long Term Youth
Indicator	Long-term evaluation will be conducted using the National 4-H Index Study.
Method	Survey or Interview.
Timeline	1+ years

 

Learning Opportunities:

 

Audience	Families and Individuals
Project or Activity	Parenting Education
Content or Curriculum	Living with Loss: Self-Care and Managing Grief; Pathways to Wellness; Emergency Health Information Cards; Cook Together, Eat Together; Eating for Health; Faithful Families; Food Safety; Life Story/Memory Banking
Inputs	Programmatic materials, paid staff, volunteers, community partners, Family Resource Youth Support Coordinators; health departments, non-profits, faith-based organizations, schools
Date(s)	Ongoing

 

Audience	Families and Individuals
Project or Activity	Caregiver Support
Content or Curriculum	Publications, Family Caregiver Health Bulletins, Faithful Families, Story Walks, Bingocize, Pathways to Wellness; Estate Planning; Transferring Cherished Possessions; Emergency Health Information Cards; Food as Health; WITS Workout
Inputs	Programmatic materials, paid staff, volunteers, community partners; facilities, health department, non-profits, schools, faith-based organizations, Homemakers
Date(s)	Ongoing/seasonal

 

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, health department, non-profits, schools, Homemakers, community centers, etc.
Date(s)	Ongoing

 

Audience	Families and Individuals
Project or Activity	Communication/Relationships Across the Lifespan
Content or Curriculum	Pathways to Wellness, Faithful Families, Story Walks, resources for early care and education settings, food system work (e.g., farmers’ markets, community gardens); Living with Loss; WITS Workout
Inputs	Programmatic materials, paid staff, Nutrition Education Program, schools, etc.
Date(s)	Ongoing

 

 

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.
Date(s)	Program Year

 

Audience	4-Hers, Extension Professionals, Clientele
Project or Activity	4-H Resume, Cover Letter, and Interview Skills Program (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 8-12.
Date(s)	Program Year

Evaluation:

Outcome	Increased knowledge about nurturing parenting and caregiver support across the lifespan (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 increased knowledge of nurturing parenting and/or caregiver support practices.
Method	Self-reported surveys
Timeline	Post-program/curricula survey administration

 

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	Increased intentions to engage in nurturing parenting and caregiver support (e.g., spending more quality time together, engaging in meaningful talk) (initial)
Indicator	Number of participants who reported they intend/plan to increase time spent nurturing and/or caregiving.
Method	Self-reported surveys
Timeline	Post-program/curricula survey administration

 

Outcome	Enhanced community partnerships that equitably support family health (e.g., FRISC, Health Depart., DAIL, AAA,) (intermediate)
Indicator	Number of participants who reported seeking support from local community organizations and/or its individual member.
Method	Self-reported surveys
Timeline	Repeated self-reported surveys and/or follow-up evaluations to capture behavior change over time

 

Outcome	Increased healthy relationships across generations that support healthy communication, nurturing behaviors, and quality time together. (intermediate)
Indicator	Number of participants who reported they enhanced healthy relationships.
Method	Self-reported surveys
Timeline	Ongoing/as changes are made and projects progress.

 

 

Outcome	Short Term Youth
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 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 participating in a service activity (community service, service learning, personal service to others).  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)

 

Outcome	Medium Term Youth
Indicator	Number of youth who developed a resume as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach.
Method	Survey
Timeline	End of program year

 

Outcome	Long Term Youth
Indicator	Long-term evaluation will be conducted using the National 4-H Index Study.
Method	Survey or Interview.
Timeline	1+ years