Success Stories By MajorProgram FY2025Jul 1, 2024 - Jun 30, 2025
Breaking the Barriers
Author: Shelley Meyer
Major Program: Substance Use Recovery - FCS
Describe the Issue or Situation.Substance use continues to be a major public health issue that affects individuals, families, and communities across socioeconomic spectrum. Despite the availability of treatment resources, significant barriers persist that hinder access to effective support and recovery services, including stigma, lack of awareness about available resources, socioeconomic challenges, and insufficient integration of mental health care. Addressing these barriers is essential for fa
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Healing the Body and Mind through Recovery with Nutrition and Physical Activity
Author: Christy Blevins
Major Program: Substance Use Recovery - FCS
Describe the Issue or Situation.Compared to the national average, Kentucky is one of the most challenged states dealing with substance misuse, substance use disorder, and overdose. Percentage estimates for 2019-2020 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) indicate an average of 10.69% of Kentuckians aged 12 or older have used illicit drugs over the past month. Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).Co
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Recovering Your Finances
Author: Brandy Napier
Major Program: Substance Use Recovery - FCS
On March 31, 2022, 46,649 individuals were receiving treatment for substance use disorder (SUD) in Kentucky alone. Studies have shown financial insecurity to be a significant risk factor for SUD. It is evident that financial literacy is of utmost importance in assisting individuals reach and maintain long-term recovery of SUD. Through comprehensive financial education training we can expand the capacity of recovery centers and other partners in the community that work with indi
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Floyd County Extension Initiates Recovery Gardens
Author: Andrea Slone
Major Program: Substance Use Recovery - FCS
Describe the Issue or Situation.In 2023, the CDC ranked Kentucky the 4th highest state of a mortality rate of drug overdoses per 100,000. Floyd County houses five separate recovery centers alone. These centers stay full year round. Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).In collaboration with Hope in the Mountains, Kentucky Nutrition Education Program, Extension Volunteers, and Floyd County Agriculture Extension. Floyd County Family & Consumer
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PROFIT: Promoting Recovery Online through Financial Instruction and addiction Training
Author: Leslie Workman
Major Program: Substance Use Recovery - FCS
The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service conducted Statewide Community Needs Assessments in 2019 and 2023 to identify and prioritize community needs, issues, and/or opportunities that the UK Cooperative Extension System could address through targeted educational programming and engagement efforts. “Support for substance use addiction prevention/recovery” was among the top 15 priority issues reported statewide in 2019 and again in 2023. Undoubtedly Kentuckians hav
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PROFIT: Promoting Recovery Online through Financial Instruction and addiction Training
Author: Alexander Elswick
Major Program: Substance Use Recovery - FCS
The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (UK CES) conducted Statewide Community Needs Assessments in 2019 and 2023 to identify and prioritize community needs, issues, and/or opportunities that UK CES could address through targeted educational programming and engagement efforts. “Support for substance use addiction prevention/recovery” was among the top 15 priority issues reported statewide in 2019, and again in 2023.Undoubtedly Kentuckians have experienced incredible
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US State Department Speaker Program: Mexico City, Mexico
Author: Alexander Elswick
Major Program: Substance Use Recovery - FCS
Nationally, and in Kentucky, provisional CDC data for the past 12 months suggest a year-to-year increase in overdose and overdose fatalities. Similarly, the 2019 and 2023 UK Extension Statewide Community Needs Assessments indicated substance use prevention and recovery as the top priority area in most of the 120 Kentucky counties. Unfortunately, Kentucky remains the epicenter of the opioid epidemic and the rising twin stimulant epidemic. Research demonstrates a critical need fo
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Reimagining Risk Reduction: A Late-Night, Alcohol-Free Concert Featuring American Idol Winner, Recovery Advocate & Champion, Noah Thompson
Author: Carla Jordan
Major Program: Substance Use Recovery - FCS
Reimagining Risk Reduction: A Late-Night, Alcohol-Free Concert Featuring American Idol Winner Noah ThompsonFor decades, prevention efforts like the “Just Say No” campaign dominated the national conversation around substance misuse. While well-intentioned, such campaigns often failed to equip young people with the tools they needed to make healthy choices. The approach was overly simplistic—telling students what not to do, without offering meaningful alternatives for managing st
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