Success Stories By MajorProgram FY2022Jul 1, 2021 - Jun 30, 2022





BARN Farmers' Dinner Theater

Author: Carrie Derossett

Major Program: Substance Use and Mental Health – 4-H Youth Development

Farmers and farmworkers consistently report high levels of stress associated with commodity production and rural living. The culmination of rural living, farm work, and stress is associated with elevated rates of suicide in farming occupations. A mutual partnership was created between the UK Cooperative Extension Service and the UK College of Nursing to develop the BARN Farm Camp and Dinner Theater on mental wellness and suicide prevention in response to farmer stress and suicide. UK Cooperative

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BARN Farm Camp and Dinner Theater

Author: Julie Brown

Major Program: Substance Use and Mental Health – 4-H Youth Development

Farmers and farmworkers consistently report high levels of stress associated with commodity production and rural living. The culmination of rural living, farm work, and stress is associated with elevated rates of suicide in farming occupations. A mutual partnership was created between the UK Cooperative Extension Service and the UK College of Nursing to develop the BARN Farm Camp and Dinner Theater on mental wellness and suicide prevention in response to farmer stress and suicide. UK Cooperative

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Truth & Consequences: The Choice is YOURS

Author: Sharee Schoonover

Major Program: Substance Use and Mental Health – 4-H Youth Development

Truth & Consequences: The Choice is YOURS

Livingston County 4-H Partnered with Cardinal Connection and the Livingston County family First Council to conduct a one-day program for 9th-grade students entitled, Truth & Consequences: The Choice is YOURS. Several community partners who work in the judicial and health fields volunteered to enact their roles in this simulation, and additional volunteers were used as “parents” to guide the students through the simulation. Some guardians participated in this role and experienced

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Recovery Week empowers community

Author: Jessica Morris

Major Program: Substance Use and Mental Health – 4-H Youth Development

Substance abuse and addiction plague our community and its members. For several years, efforts have been increased to bring awareness to and help prevent drug addiction in our community. Last year, the Wolfe County Extension Office implemented Recovery Week, a week to celebrate those who are in recovery and bring hope to those hoping to enter recovery. The week is kicked off on Monday night with Yoga, which is an activity commonly used to help aid in a recovering persons journey. Tuesday a town

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Tobacco's Effects on the Human Body

Author: Ryan Spicer

Major Program: Substance Use and Mental Health – 4-H Youth Development

According to the CDC, If cigarette smoking continues at the current rate among youth in this country, 5.6 million of today’s Americans younger than 18 will die early from a smoking-related illness. That’s about 1 of every 13 Americans aged 17 years or younger who are alive today. To combat this issue in Breathitt County the 4-H agent for 4-H Youth development designed an educational program to deliver information to youth about the different types of tobacco, and their effects on the

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Sharpen Our Saw

Author: Amy Branstetter

Major Program: Substance Use and Mental Health – 4-H Youth Development

Healthy Living is a mission of our Extension Service. Substance use and abuse is a component of the education we provide.There is a strong need for continued substance abuse prevention and intervention in Metcalfe County. Substance use issues continue to negatively impact a large number in our community. According to the recent Kentucky Extension Community Assessment, the issues related to drugs and substance abuse in Metcalfe County need to be addressed. The assessment also indicated that &ldqu

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The Choice is Yours

Author: Sharee Schoonover

Major Program: Substance Use and Mental Health – 4-H Youth Development

The Choice is Yours

Livingston County 4-H Partnered with Livingston Family & Consumer Sciences, Cardinal Connection, and the Livingston County family First Council to conduct a one-day program for 9th-grade students entitled, Truth & Consequences: The Choice is YOURS. Several community partners who work in the judicial and health fields volunteered to enact their roles in this simulation, and additional volunteers were used as “parents” to guide the students through the simulation, with some stu

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Project Clubs

Author: Lora Stewart

Major Program: Substance Use and Mental Health – 4-H Youth Development

Project clubs and after school clubs are vital to provide an important sense of community at a school and give students an opportunity to delve into interests of all kinds. Clubs of all kinds and of all different ages provide the opportunity to dive into an interest that encourages life skills and personal growth.  They are the ultimate in experimental learning, giving them the leadership and power to make their own decisions as they grow into their role as a club leader.  (The foundat

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Prom Week prevention has positive impact

Author: Jessica Morris

Major Program: Substance Use and Mental Health – 4-H Youth Development

Drug and alcohol prevention is something we have pushed to the forefront here in Wolfe County. Our high school students are using drugs and alcohol at an alarming rate. Vaping has increased with major negative effects. During school this year Wolfe County High School has had numerous scary situations where students have overdosed or required serious medical aid due to a vape containing other substances. Thankfully, they were all able to be saved and have been able to receive help. When prom was

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Promoting Healthy Lifestyles & Drug Prevention Amongst 7th Grade Students in Allen County

Author: Anna Meador

Major Program: Substance Use and Mental Health – 4-H Youth Development

The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services reports that 10% of adolescents self-report illicit drug use in the past month.  Substance use prevention programming is critical to the prevention, delayed onset, and/or early identification of substance use.  The Life Skills Training (LST) program, developed by Botvin and colleagues, is one of the most successful substance use prevention programs available for use. It teaches a variety of personal self-management skills and social s

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Truth and Consequences

Author: Misty Wilmoth

Major Program: Substance Use and Mental Health – 4-H Youth Development

The LaRue County Cooperative Extension Service partnered with the Family Resource Youth Service Center to offer the Truth and Consequences program to all 195 LaRue County High School ninth graders in February 2022.  District Court Judge Derek Reed spoke to the entire freshman class about issues related to drug use.  Each student then drew for a scenario which took them to various stops in the high school gym.  A "parent" volunteer accompanied them and helped to discuss c

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Making Better Choices

Author: Amy Branstetter

Major Program: Substance Use and Mental Health – 4-H Youth Development

There is a strong need for continued substance abuse prevention and intervention in Metcalfe County. Substance use/abuse issues continue to negatively impact a number of families in our community. According to our recent County Extension Community Assessment, “issues related to drugs and substance abuse in Metcalfe County”. There has been a large number of youth that have started vaping this is a gateway to other abuse issues. To address the variety of substance abuse issues imp

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Thriving in 4-H: In Their Own Words Series…Part 4 of 4

Author: Lena Mallory

Major Program: Substance Use and Mental Health – 4-H Youth Development

The 4-H Thriving Model is the science-grounded in practice that describes the “magic” of 4-H.  This model takes the science to explain the growth/thriving  process of youth because of their 4-H involvement.   Moving from the Developmental Context (4-H Programs) to Youth Thriving (Social, Emotional and Cognitive Learning) to Development Outcomes (Positive Youth Development) to Long-Term Outcomes.    The 4-H Thriving Model is best envisioned through w

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4-H Partners with MEP (migrant) program to reduce stress in youth

Author: Lee Ann McCuiston

Major Program: Substance Use and Mental Health – 4-H Youth Development

Mental health, already a pressing issue for young people, has become an acute concern for millions after the year 2020 due to Covid issues and feelings of loneliness. One in five people in households with children (21%) have reported feeling down, depressed or hopeless in the previous week.  Realizing the need for improved resiliency in youth, the Todd County 4-H program provided a mindfulness training to 35 youth during the summer migrant program in a day camp setting.  Youth learned

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Botvin Lifeskills

Author: Tracie Goodman

Major Program: Substance Use and Mental Health – 4-H Youth Development

Beginning in early 2022, myself and Leah VanMeter started the Botvin Lifeskills program with two 6th grade classes (approximately 60 students) at the McCreary County Middle School. The goal of this program was to help prevent substance abuse through a series of lessons which focused on developing life skills to help deal with societal pressures, anxiety, anger, and media influence. During the course of this program, we helped students to recognize the signs and symptoms of anxiety and anger, and

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Learning Valuable Life Skills

Author: Carissa Miske

Major Program: Substance Use and Mental Health – 4-H Youth Development

The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services reports that 10% of adolescents self-report illicit drug use in the past month.  Substance use prevention programming is critical to the prevention, delayed onset, and/or early identification of substance use.  The Life Skills Training (LST) program, developed by Botvin and colleagues, is one of the most successful substance use prevention programs available for use. It teaches a variety of personal self-management skills and social s

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Safe and Sober Prom

Author: Molly Jordan

Major Program: Substance Use and Mental Health – 4-H Youth Development

Safe and Sober Prom

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, alcohol is the most abuse substance among adolescents in the United States. As the end of the school year approaches, proms and graduations mark memorable nights in a young person’s life. The Bracken County 4-H and the Bracken County FRYSC, understood that part of combating underage drinking is being open and honest about the outcomes of alcohol. The Safe and Sober Prom event is a collaboration between Bracken County 4-H,

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The Life Cycle Project

Author: Carrie Derossett

Major Program: Substance Use and Mental Health – 4-H Youth Development

One substantial bi-product of the pandemic was that in many instances the fun was taken away. With social distancing and limited access to things, we found ourselves in a world that seemed to be summed up as – CANCELLED. The fun was taken out of our lives and taken away from our youth. As schools were closed to visitors in 2021, Logan County Extension partnered with our Family Resource Youth Service Centers to try to bring some of that happiness and fun back to the classroom. We began gard

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Daviess & Henderson County BARN (Bringing Awareness Right Now) Camp and Dinner Theater

Author: Ella Fourqurean

Major Program: Substance Use and Mental Health – 4-H Youth Development

Farmers and persons residing in rural areas consistently report elevated levels of stress associated with farming and rural living. The combined effects of farming, rural mental health challenges and their stressors have shown associations with higher rates of suicide in farming occupations and in Kentucky. To address rural mental health challenges, farm stress, and suicide among youth and in rural communities, a mutual partnership was created between the UK Cooperative Extension Service and the

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Relax and Chill Days: Helping Youth Cope with Stress

Author: Brandon Darst

Major Program: Substance Use and Mental Health – 4-H Youth Development

We always concentrate on the physical impact COVID has had on our youth but we tend to overlook the mental impact. We are talking about childhood trauma like we have never seen before because the impacts effects youth in different ways.  According to Sage Journal, "The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health of children and adolescents is multifaceted and substantial. Survey studies regarding child and adolescent mental health amid COVID-19 indicated that anxiety, depression,

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Community Collaborations Create Successful Programs

Author: Mary Beth Riley

Major Program: Substance Use and Mental Health – 4-H Youth Development

Community Collaborations Create Successful Programs

4-H Teen Club members place stickers on beer cases with informational messageFor years many in local agencies and organizations have partnered together to combat substance abuse and mental health. The Champions Coalition for a Drug Free Lyon County has partnered with 4-H Youth Development multiple times during the program year. The largest project that was presented this year was the TATU program, TATU stands for teens, against, tobacco use. During the TATU program Lyon County 4-H Teen Club memb

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Strengthening Family Bonds & Reducing Risky Behaviors in Pre-Teens through the SFP 10-14 Program

Author: Anna Meador

Major Program: Substance Use and Mental Health – 4-H Youth Development

Strengthening Family Bonds & Reducing Risky Behaviors in Pre-Teens through the SFP 10-14 Program

According the Community Assessment conducted in 2019, Allen County community members identified these three areas of need in their community: More support for families with mental and emotional health issuesStronger parenting and relationship building skillsAvailability of substance use prevention programsIn response to these community concerns, Allen County Cooperative Extension Agents, Anna Meador and Kelly Burgess, partnered with community organizations in order to present the Strengthen

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