Author: Ola Donahue
Major Program: Health 4-H Core Curriculum
Statistics show that 2 out of 3 students are unprepared for life after high school. Therefore proving that far too many students lack the social and transitional skills needed to adequately enter the “real world” and cope with the demands of everyday adult life. With more than 65% of students being unprepared to take on life and/or social success, we raised the question: “Are schools teaching and preparing students with the essential social and life skills needed for a successf
Alternative schools are essentially specialized educational environments that place a great deal of emphasis on small classrooms, high teacher-to-student ratios, individualized instruction, noncompetitive performance assessments, and less structured classrooms (Raywid 1983). The purpose of these schools is to provide academic instruction to students expelled or suspended for disruptive behavior or weapons possession, or who are unable to succeed in the mainstream school environment (Ingersoll an
Author: Jessica Morris
Dear Me, a mental health and drug prevention program was conducted at Wolfe County Middle School for all 7th and 8th grade students. Prior to conducting the program Wolfe County Youth Service Center Director approached Wolfe County 4-H Agent about doing a program with middle school students to promote mental health, drug prevention as well as promoting inclusivity and anti-bullying. Recently a survey had been conducted that reported 40% of 212 students at Wolfe County had in some way thought abo
Author: Tyrone Gentry
The Cooperative Extension Service and 4-H’s mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of Kentucky citizens through non-formal education for the entire family. With over 1000 different youth involved in the Green County 4-H program, finding a way to connect on a personal relationship with each youth is critical for empowering youth with skills and confidence. The Green County 4-H program realized to connect with youth in a meaningful way, volunteers would be the foun
Author: Laura Huffman
The goal of Hart County High School is to have all students career and work place ready by the time they graduate. The high school contacted the 4-H Youth Development agent to collaborate with the school on offering work readiness and skills classes for all students as well as to work with the Functional Mental Disability (FMD) Class to offer a nutrition and cooking class. The goal of the nutrition and cooking class was to teach the FMD class basic skills in preparing th
Like skills are crucial for a person to adapt and deal effectively with the demands and challenges of everyday living. The World Health Organization identifies six skills necessary in every child: decision making and problem-solving,creative and critical thinking,communication and interpersonal skills,self-awareness and empathy,assertiveness and equanimity, andresilience and coping skills. When youth are in the presence of an adult, fami
Author: Chanda Hall
Afterschool programs can do more than reinforce academic lessons taught in the classroom or introduce new skills kids don’t have time to learn during school hours. According to a new report by America After 3 PM, afterschool programs also can play an important role in combating childhood obesity.Newburg Library has a monthly 4-H nutrition education after school program. The library is in walking distance from Newburg middle school, so students are able to walk to the program and use
Author: Amanda Wilson
In today’s society, there’s a strong possibility we will come into contact with someone who differs from us in the areas of age, race, gender, cultural, and/or religion. Due to our country being a beautiful mosaic of differences, it’s important for our youth to learn about the differences in others, embrace the differences, and learn to seek out the similarities. McCracken County 4-H and the Interracial Women’s Group of Paducah (IWG) collaborate to offer a diversity event
Author: Susan Campbell
With a community effort to get youth physical active, a team made up of Anderson County 4-H Youth Development Agent, Anderson County Chamber of Commerce, Anderson County Schools, and local business planned/organized the Longest Day of Play event. The event was designed to bring youth outdoors and to participate in over 40 outdoor play activities in which they would be physical active. Each station offered prizes for participating. The Longest Day of the play was scheduled to coincide with
Many students struggle in the areas of science and math. As a way of alternative learning, Jefferson County 4-H has introduced Science in the Kitchen to 160 youth in afterschool programs and community center settings. Before participating in this program, 85 percent of the students did not realize that “real” science takes place in the kitchen! As a way to introduce fun and education while cooking, students practiced cooking by leaning and utilizing practical hands
Author: Katie Wallace
The 95th Annual Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference was held at the University of Kentucky June 1013, 2019. The objectives of Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference are: develop leadership and teamwork skills, improve communication skills, foster civic engagement, expand knowledge and skills related to 4-H core content areas, gain club, county and state 4-H program skills, have fun, create a sense of belonging, expand social skills through networking, develop youth-adult partnerships, and become acquainted with
With society and family structures becoming more complicated, youth have fewer opportunities to learn life skills that once were handed down by mothers and fathers in their home. A national survey conducted by Eckrich and ConAgra discovered that 40% of families eat three or fewer meals together and 10% never eat dinner together at all. Planning and preparing family meals may be been lost, but those skills are critical for healthy future generations. Green County 4-H recognized the importanc
Author: Michael Rose
According to the National Safety Council Injury Facts 2017, accidental injury has become the number 3 cause of deaths for the first time in U.S. history. Adair County Extension works to decrease the number of youth getting injured on the farm and at home.The 4-H program collaborated with Progressive Farmer Foundation, Adair County School System, local businesses, community agencies, and local leaders to conduct the 21st Farm and Home Safety Days. Over 120 volunteers contributed to the program&rs
Author: Madison McAlmond
Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference June 2019 Rachel E. Noble, Ed.D. The 95th Annual Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference was held at the University of Kentucky June 10-13, 2019. The objectives of Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference are: develop leadership and teamwork skills, improve communication skills, foster civic engagement, expand knowledge and skills related to 4-H core content areas, gain club, county and state 4-H program skills, have fun, create a sense of belonging, expand social skills th
Author: Marla Stillwell
According to the American Heart Association, teaching youth how to prepare their own food will give them a skill they can use for a lifetime, they will be more likely to eat healthier as adults, and build self-confidence (Cooking With Your Children; Web MD; May 30, 2008.). Currently, Kentucky’s obesity rate for children ages 10-17 has increased to over 21% (Trust for America’s Health Survey and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation). To address the need to teach life skills and develop heal
Author: Katie Mills
Hopkins County ranks 4th highest in the state for childhood obesity, and 53th out of 120 counties for overall health outcomes. One important factor that contributes to obesity and health outcomes is healthy eating. In an effort to combat these problems, the Hopkins County Extension Agent for Family & Consumer Science, in partnership with the SNAP-Ed. Assistant, Hopkins County Agents for 4-H and Youth Development, Hopkins County Agent for Horticulture, the Hopkins County Health Department, an
Author: Eric Comley
The 95th Annual Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference was held at the University of Kentucky June 10-13, 2019. The objectives of Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference are: develop leadership and teamwork skills, improve communication skills, foster civic engagement, expand knowledge and skills related to 4-H core content areas, gain club, county and state 4-H program skills, have fun, create a sense of belonging, expand social skills through networking, develop youth-adult partnerships, and become acquainted with
Author: Lois Carter
