Success Story4-H Military Partnership



4-H Military Partnership

Author: Marla Stillwell

Planning Unit: LaRue County CES

Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming

Plan of Work: Enhancing Life Skills

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

As the aspects of Hardin County continues to change due to the effects of the United States Department of Defense Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) efforts, many attempts have been made by Hardin County Cooperative Extension Service to support these families and youth of local military. The Ft. Knox 4-H partnership is currently in its sixteenth year and continues to involve over 200 military youth each year in 4-H youth development programs both on and off the installation. Hardin County Cooperative Extension has partnered with Ft. Knox Child Youth and School Services in order to offer 4-H programs to military youth with the assistance of the federal 4-H Military Club Grant. 4-H programs offer youth a welcoming and safe environment while reflecting the value and importance of growth and well-being. The 4-H programs present at Ft. Knox include clubs that encompass six of the seven areas of approved Kentucky 4-H curriculum, including Natural Resources, Family & Consumer Sciences, Health, Communication, Leadership, and Science, Engineering & Technology (SET). The programs provide quality, age-appropriate activities for the positive development of youth ages 5-18 divided among two youth centers, School Age Center (SAC) and Devers Middle School and Teen Center (MSTC).  The military 4-H programs are supported by a federal grant that is awarded annually to installations where a 4-H partnership has been established. Ft. Knox and Hardin County 4-H work together to dispense of the annual $15,000 budget on military 4-H programs alone. The youth involved have said, "I would like to be a volunteer!", “4-H is awesome!”, “We’re excited about 4-H this year!”, “I’m excited to be the president of sports club!” and “We are excited about working together to help our community.”






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