Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
The purpose of this grant is to expand a comprehensive life skills program for unstably housed youth developed in collaboration through Kentucky State University and the University of Kentucky. Short term objectives include: Youth will increase knowledge of critical life skills for self-sufficiency; Youth will gain knowledge on how to access needed services and resources within their community; and Increase in community partnerships among youth and family organizations in target communities. Long term objectives include: Demonstrated application of critical life skills by target youth; and The PCYE model will become sustainable beyond the grant cycle and become institutionalized as a priority approach among partners and Extension. Data will be collected using a multi-methods approach.The program model utilized is the Kentucky Youth Engagement and Support Program Model. The program employs a multidisciplinary Positive Youth Development and Trauma-Informed approach that views youth in the context of the family and community and develops programming based on local needs and grounded in research. Primary curriculum to be used will be Botvin Transitions.The target audience is unstably housed youth in Jefferson, Fayette, Bullitt and Pulaski County, Kentucky. A core group of approximately 10-15 "high context" youth per site will be recruited as the core groups for each 10-week session. These 10-week sessions will be offered 3 times per year and then reunion and added dosage programming will be offered in the summer for graduates of the program. The core groups of youth are the primary audience for evaluation purposes. The national CYFAR outcome addressed is Teen.
Animal Health Component
100%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
The purpose of this grant is to expand a comprehensive life skills program for unstably housed youth developed in collaboration through Kentucky State University and the University of Kentucky."Kentucky Cooperative Extension: Promoting Change Through Youth Engagement" has3 short-term goals:Youth will increase knowledge of critical life skills for self-sufficiencyYouth will gain knowledge on how to access needed services and resources within their communityIncrease in community partnerships among youth and family organizations in target communities.The project has 2 long-term goals:Demonstrated application of critical life skills by target youthThe PCYE model will become sustainable beyond the grant cycle and become institutionalized as a priority approach among partners and Extension.
Project Methods
Efforts:The primary audience will be 10-15core high context youth for each 10-session cohort. The goal is for youth to participate in the program for 20 or more hours total over the course of 10 sessions. Youth will help determine specific activities to accompany the uniform curriculum. Prior to conducting programs, focus groups/interviews of target youth will be conducted to determine needs, wants, and program format to optimize recruitment, high quality implementation, and retention. The project will continue to engage graduating youth in the program and larger community partnerships in order to develop leadership skills and achieve short- and long-term results.(4) Group size and staffing plan: It is projected 30 youth will participate in each grant site's programs per year through 3 different 10-week sessions over the course of the year. UK and/or KSU staff at each site will be actively involved with the program. State personnel will provide fiscal, program, technology, evaluation, reporting, training, and sustainability support.Methods for analysis, evaluation, and interpretation:CYFAR Common Measures; Focus group discussions; secondary data from partners; staff/partner observation; activity logs and reports; staff/partner/institution survey