Time to take the Putnam 4-H Education Pledge

Huge, life-defining decisions are in play when one begins to plan and consider post high school education. There are many options and choices that families have for consideration. Doing nothing or making no plans is a decision. Ideally, one would want to be the most informed as possible to make sound and wise decisions.

For many in primary or elementary school, post high school is far off in considering the future.

The Putnam 4-H Education Pledge is a program with many elements that will bring information to families enabling an early start to building expectations for post high school education.

The program uses the term “post high school education” because the discussion should not be centered on a traditional four-year college degree. In fact, the labor markets are hungry for skilled labor that does not involve a college degree and leaving many in workforce development pondering how to meet the needs. Furthermore, the program is centered around building the “expectation” of youth seeking some sort of post high school education and realizing the attainment of such education.

Several studies have shown that there are significant differences in those who have a post high school educational savings plan compared to those who do not have such a plan. Research supports that the money or funds being placed into such accounts is not as much a factor as is building the expectation that one has post high school educational goals and objectives to be met.

The Putnam 4-H Education Pledge will include workforce development and other professional experiences providing youth with life skills needed to find their niche in the workforce. The Putnam County 4-H Council is sponsoring matching funds for those in third grade as of Jan. 1, 2017 and plans to continue with future grade three incentive programs.

Currently, less than eight percent of Putnam youth in grades K-12 have a 529 college savings plan, thus many families are missing out on a key state income tax direct credit. Research from Washington University in St. Louis suggests that youth who have a 529 college savings plan for post high school education are greater than 70 percent more likely to go and seek education after high school compared to those who do not. Having an account played a bigger role than how much was in the account.

The public is invited to two opportunities to learn about saving for post high school education. It only takes $25 to get started with college savings using the College Choice 529 Savings plan that is recognized by the state of Indiana to receive a 20 percent direct income tax credit. The $25 Putnam 4-H match program will only be available to 4-H’ers who were in grade three as of Jan. 1, 2017 and these families are highly encouraged to attend one of the repeated workshops that occur on Wednesday, Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. or Sunday, Nov. 5 at 3:30 p.m.

Also youth who enroll in 4-H and participate in at least six hours of Putnam 4-H Education Pledge programs will complete this Putnam 4-H Spark Project.

Upcoming events

Oct. 17 -- Extension Homemakers Week.

Oct. 24 -- International Night, York Automotive Community Building, 7 p.m.

Oct. 24 – Beef Barn meeting, 7 p.m., York Automotive Community Building East.

Oct. 25 – Putnam 4-H Education Pledge, Fairgrounds, 7 p.m.

Oct. 30 – Putnam 4-H Junior Leader kickoff, 6 p.m., 3G Bowl.

Nov. 5 – Putnam 4-H member Achievement and Volunteer Recognition, Fairgrounds, 2 p.m.

Nov. 5 - Putnam 4-H Education Pledge, Fairgrounds, 7 p.m.