When COVID19 occurred in Spring 2020, many 4-H Programs in the State were forced to cancel or move to an online version. At the request of the KY 4-H Program Leader, the 4-H Program collaborated with the CEDIK Program and developed the Digital Problem Solvers Program. 

The educational portion of DPS was offered over a two-week period through Zoom. Three teams (from Estill, Johnson, and Woodford) composed of youth and adults, were led through community issue development skills training. There were six direct instruction hours plus external hours they spent working as teams. There were 13 total participants in this initial phase. 

Each team researched issues needing addressed in their county. They used the tools and resources provided to create a plan of action to address the underlying issue. They presented their plan to a panel and now are in the editing phase. They will have one year to implement their program at the county level. In order to support their programs, they will be given a $2000 grant sponsored by the CEDIK program. 

A comment by a Johnson County 4-Her: I am so glad we did this! I learned how to find out about what's going on in my county, and really go to use what I learned in this program and the 4-H Issues Conference. 

Plans are being made to offer this program again in the 2021 program year.