In 2024, the Laurel County Community Needs Assessment identified youth life skills training as a top priority. Norman and Jordan (2006) define life skills as “learned abilities” that help people function well in their daily lives. Families, schools, and community leaders voiced the same concern: youth need practical skills to help them succeed in life.

4-H life skill development meets this need. Through hands-on learning, 4-H teaches critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving. These are the skills young people need to face challenges, lead in their communities, and prepare for their futures.

Laurel County 4-H recognized the need and took action to bring life skills learning directly into the classroom.

Educational Program Response

Laurel County 4-H brought life skill learning into the classroom through 4-H School Enrichment programs. These programs connect academic lessons with real-world skills through hands-on activities. They also introduce students to the broader 4-H experience, encouraging future involvement in clubs and community projects.

To meet this need, Laurel County 4-H staff created six school enrichment tracts for local schools. Topics included Leadership, Science/Engineering/Technology and Natural Resources (SET), Agriculture, Workforce Readiness, Financial Literacy, and Healthy Nutrition through the Professor Popcorn program.

The 4-H agent carefully selected curriculum and activities that fit Kentucky learning standards and followed the 4-H hands-on approach. Each tract contained six to eight lessons designed to be taught throughout the school year. Most classes chose to have one lesson each month. The Financial Literacy tract included three lessons, followed by a hands-on simulation.

Participant Description

A total of 1,968 youth from public, private, and independent schools in Laurel County participated in 4-H School Enrichment programs. These youth represented 88 classrooms across the county.

Participation by program tract included:

1. Leadership: 162 youth
2. Science, Engineering, Technology & Natural Resources: 335 youth
3. Agriculture: 282 youth
4. Workforce Readiness: 45 youth
5. Financial Literacy: 974 youth
6. Healthy Nutrition (Professor Popcorn): 170 youth

Program Impact:

At the end of the program, youth completed surveys to measure what they learned.

Across all tracts, students showed strong growth in life skills:

1. 97% worked in a team to reach a goal.
2. 95% demonstrated a skill they learned.
3. 92% used what they learned to communicate better.

Students also grew in leadership and empathy:

1. 72% identified community needs.
2. 67% realized how their actions impact others.

 Tract-specific results showed strong skill-building:

1. 97% said they better understood wise financial choices.
2. 93% reported making healthier food choices.
3. 95% practiced conflict resolution, teamwork, and goal-setting.
4. 100% practiced interviewing and writing a resume.
5. 89% learned to set up an experiment to answer a question.

 Overall, 4-H School Enrichment gave youth real-world skills in leadership, problem-solving, and teamwork—skills they will use throughout life.

Norman, M. N., & Jordan, J. C. (2006). Targeting Life Skills In 4-H: 4H FS 101.9/4H242, 5/2006. EDIS, 2006(9). https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-4h242-2006