Describe the Issue or Situation.

The transition from adolescence to adulthood presents numerous challenges for young people, many of whom lack the essential skills needed to navigate life successfully. These skills, commonly referred to as life skills, include practical knowledge such as financial literacy, effective communication, problem-solving, time management, and basic home and vehicle knowledge. However, many youth report feeling unprepared for adulthood, highlighting a critical gap in education and support systems that traditional academic curricula may not fully address.

A dedicated program teaching these life skills is vital to bridge this gap and prepare youth for real-world challenges. Beyond individual benefits, equipping young people with these tools can positively impact communities by fostering responsible citizens who are better equipped to contribute economically and socially. Programs like “Life Skills 101" can empower young people with confidence, independence, and the knowledge necessary to make informed decisions, promoting overall long-term success for a more community resilient future. 

Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).

Life Skills 101 over the past couple of years have included the following topics: self-defense, laundry & cooking basics, car maintenance, first aid, finance/e-banking, time management, table etiquette, and brain teasers.         

Life Skills 101 occurred from 12:30-3pm at the Harrison County, Kentucky Extension Office. Youth were divided into four groups by age: Group A (9-10 years old), Group B (11-12 years old), Group C (13-18 years old), Group D (Break/No Participants), Group E (Adult Special Needs). Class rotations over the past couple of years have included Car Maintenance, Laundry/Basic Cooking, Finance/E-banking, Self-defense, First Aid, Time Management, Table Etiquette, and Brain Teasers. Groups rotated every 25 minutes. With four groups of participants, each instructor received a break session in the rotation.

Collaborators/Partners

The collaboration between the Cooperative Extension Service, Harrison Memorial Hospital Ambulance Service, Self-defense Martial Arts, Field & Main Bank, and diesel mechanics yielded outstanding outcomes for the "Life Skills 101" program. Each partner brought unique expertise, creating a well-rounded and practical learning experience. The ambulance service provided first aid and CPR training, enhancing participants' emergency response skills. The self-defense instructor empowered attendees with personal safety strategies, while the Field & Main Bank manager introduced essential financial literacy concepts. The diesel mechanics offered hands-on instruction in basic vehicle maintenance, ensuring participants could confidently handle routine car care. FCS taught laundry basics while 4-H covered the basics of cooking. Harrison County Extension Interns teamed up on the table etiquette course, while the Chamber Director educated on time management techniques. These partnerships not only enriched the program’s content, but also strengthened community ties, demonstrating the collective impact of local collaboration.

Provide the Number and Description(s) of Participants/Target Audience.

Life Skills 101 was offered for youth ages 9-18 years of age. Groups were divided by age and rotated through each station with instructors catering their topic appropriately for the various age groups. The groups and numbers of each group consisted of 9–10-year-olds (10-12 individuals), 11–12-year-olds (9-13 individuals), 13–18-year-olds (8-12 individuals), and adult special needs (4 individuals).

Provide a Statement of Outcomes or Program Impact. Please note that the outcomes statement must use evaluation data to describe the change(s) that occurred in individuals, groups, families, businesses, or in the community because of the program/outreach.

Evaluation methods & instruments 

Informal qualitative interviews were conducted with participants and parents at the completion of the program. Instructors were also interviewed to solicit feedback from an educator’s perspective for the first year. A quantitative survey was administered to participants for year two.

Results/impacts

Participants reported increased confidence in managing daily tasks, making informed decisions, and addressing unexpected situations, empowering them to lead more self-sufficient and responsible lives. Youth were especially excited about the hands-on instruction that took place at each station, comparing their past experiences to their newly acquired knowledge. “I have never helped with laundry before at home.” “I feel like I could check the vehicle oil and could repeat the steps to changing a tire on my own now.” Thirty-eight youth ages 9-18 attended the program. Parents were grateful and appreciative for the life skills program and many individuals reached out through Facebook and in-person asking if there would be more classes offered.

Post surveys showed 100% of participants felt they were better able to protect themselves with self-defense. One hundred percent of responses also showed participants strongly agreed eating together as a family is important and that they plan to keep better track of their money. Ninety-five percent of participants indicated they felt better about setting goals. 

Learner impact/change: Participant take aways from each of the classes include the following: 

Self-Defense- Participants gained confidence in their ability to protect themselves while learning practical self-defense techniques and strategies to stay safe in various situations.

Laundry Basics- Participants understood how to sort clothes, use washing machines and dryers, and interpret care labels while learning tips for maintaining clothing quality and avoiding common laundry mistakes.

Basic Cooking- Participants acquired skills to prepare simple, nutritious meals while developing confidence in using kitchen tools and following recipes.

Vehicle Maintenance-Participants learned how to perform routine checks on their vehicles, such as monitoring oil and tire pressure, and recognizing warning signs of mechanical issues.

Financing/E-banking- Participants understood basic concepts with electronic banking and budgeting to avoid overdrafts.

Time Management- Participants learned goal setting and how to prioritize and manage time. One girl (10 years old) and her brother (14 years old) claimed they enjoyed this class the most. The brother continued saying, it really made me think about things in way I hadn’t considered. 

First Aid- Participants were trained to respond to common injuries and emergencies confidently and practiced CPR techniques and proper use of first aid supplies.