Youth being court ordered to complete community service and other requirements based on poor choices, isn't new to Kentucky. The need to assist youth in new strategies has been discussed and researched by multiple agencies, throughout the years.  One collaborative effort that is new and multi-dynamic to Bath County to address the needs of those youth that find themselves in the courts system, is between Bath County 4-H and Kentucky Courts of Justice.

Since 2018, collaborative efforts have been taken place amongst the two county entities.  Due to the Covid Pandemic, typical delivery methods had to halted or altered.  One new way is conducting programs virtually, like Zoom or Nearpod Formats.  Andrea Myers, Court Designated Worker, Marilyn Taul, Court Designated Worker, and this agent had met for hours before the Teen Cuisine Program started to define program goals like: increase self esteem, goal setting, able to read food labels, learn cooking safety, introduced to various recipes, learn My Plate Guidelines, and much more.  Teen Cuisine Program usually is conducted in a face to face format, but that wasn't possible due to K. C. O. J. and Extension Policies.  Due to that, the 4 sessions/8 hours of instruction was done via Zoom.  Before sessions were conducted this agent forwarded meeting links, recipes, and other materials to workers to forward to youth.  During Zoom Sessions, this agent discussed and showed Teen Cuisine Materials, videos, and conducted cooking demonstrations, from the recipes that was forwarded.           

The program had 9 youth total to participate: 3 Females, 9 White, 5 youth participated in all sessions and 2 in 3 sessions. Initial evaluation of the program has resulted in: 9 stating they have learned at least 1 new skill.  6 stating they learned how to read food labels, from this program.  4 participants reported they had cooked at least one of the recipes.