Extension Report

Baldwin County Extension Office

302A Byrne Street

Bay Minette, AL  36507

Telephone (251) 937-7176 or

928-0860/943-5611 ext. 2222

FAX (251) 937-7285

Amanda Outlaw

Regional Extension Agent, Urban

December 22, 2009

Fostering the Development of Life Skills

Fostering the development of life skills for youth that will help them to be successful  in their quest for employment and career opportunities has been the goal of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System since I began my employment ten years ago. The system also recognizes the length of service with the organization with an awards program. This year it was held on December 4, 2009 at the 4-H Center in Columbiana, Alabama. Three agents that serve Mobile and Baldwin counties were recognized for ten years of service; Thomas Daughtery, Amanda Outlaw and Elizabeth Phillips. Others recognized at this event included Sandra Walton who is an Administrative Assistant serving the Bay Minette Extension office with twenty years of service.

The goal of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System is to continue to provide solutions to Alabama citizens to help them make the best choices for themselves and their families. On December 8-10, 2009 that tradition continued with the fifteenth Welcome to the Real World event in Baldwin County at Foley Middle School.  Welcome to the Real World provides youth with an opportunity to participate as an adult in the real world by making decisions on career choices, opening banking accounts, finding housing and all of the consumer issues adults face on a daily basis. It is always exciting to see how students come to the realization that some of their career choices do not afford them the life style that they have become accustomed to living while in the comfort of their parents home.  After the Welcome to the Real World simulation, many students experience a wake-up call and realize that it is not an easy task being an adult and making choices for themselves and a family.

Volunteers are essential to all of our Extension programs and the South Baldwin County Chamber of Commerce is a great partner for the Alabama Cooperative Extension System and the Baldwin County School System. The chamber has provided it's members with the opportunity of bringing their expertise as business members to the Welcome to the Real World event and we are grateful for their continued participation and support.

Financial literacy will continue to be a critical area of concern for the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. The Jump$tart Coalition® for Personal Financial Literacy seeks to improve the personal financial literacy of students in grades K-16. Jump$tart's purpose is to evaluate the financial literacy of youth and young adults; develop, disseminate and encourage the use of standards for grades K-16; and promote the teaching of personal finance. The Jump$tart Coalition believes that all young adults need to have the financial literacy necessary to make informed financial decisions. Jump Start offers an extensive clearinghouse of financial literacy literature, with a National focus at  .  Only three states, Tennessee, Missouri and Utah requires at least a one-semester course devoted to personal finance. Eighteen states require personal finance instruction incorporated into other subject matter.  Even though Alabama is not listed as requiring personal finance on the Jump$tart's Coalition for Financial Literacy web site,  it may be taught electively. We applaud the Family and Consumer Science teachers in Baldwin County who have incorporated Welcome to the Real World into their plan of study for their students. The benefits will be seen as these students move from middle school to high school to college and how they incorporate the lessons learned into their lives. But it will take a village of concerned citizens to make sure that financial literacy is incorporated into the lives of young people. Many young people are leaving college with not only school loan debt but credit card debt. This is not a good way to start a new career worrying about how you will meet all of your financial obligations. With the economic crisis still in full swing we must commit the needed resources to help our citizens understand that a savings plan is a life plan and budgeting has to become a family affair. For more information on financial resources, contact me at the Extension Office at 574-8445 for a 2010 Money Management calendar and to schedule a Welcome to the Real World program for your school.

Amanda Outlaw, Urban Regional Extension Agent and Gaines Smith, Extension Director

Students and South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce volunteers at Foley Middle School

Email address: aoutlaw@aces.edu

Phone: 937-7176 or 943-5611, 928-0860, ext. 2222

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M and Auburn Universities) in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture is an equal opportunity educator and employer.