Success Stories By MajorProgram FY2025Jul 1, 2024 - Jun 30, 2025
Read, Laugh & Learn
Author: Britney Poe
Major Program: Child Development General

Empowering Futures: The Success Story of Robertson County's "Read, Laugh, and Learn" ProgramIn Robertson County, a collaborative effort between the Robertson County Extension Service and the Robertson County Library has brought an innovative and impactful initiative to life: the "Read, Laugh, and Learn" program. Designed for children ages 3-5, this program is more than just a playdate—it’s a gateway to kindergarten readiness and lifelong learning.From Vision t
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From Giggles to Growth: How Laugh and Learn is Shaping Young Minds
Author: Rosa Smith
Major Program: Child Development General
Describe the Issue or Situation.In Owsley County, Kentucky, access to early childhood daycare options is limited, posing a significant challenge for families with young children. Many parents face difficulties in finding affordable, quality daycare, which can delay essential early learning experiences. This lack of availability also impacts kindergarten readiness, as children may enter school without having developed the foundational social, emotional, and academic skills needed to succeed. The
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Fayette County: Laugh and Learn Playdates Success Story
Author: Caroline McMahan
Major Program: Child Development General
Kentucky has reported that only 24.9% of children attending kindergarten in Fayette County are prepared and equipped to succeed. In many Kentucky counties, limited resources or the environment may hinder healthy lifestyle choices related to early childhood development and physical activity. As an innovative strategy to improve early childhood development skills and increase kindergarten readiness with Fayette County residents, the Family and Consumer Sciences Agent implemented Laugh and Le
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Community Baby Shower
Author: Elizabeth Maxedon
Major Program: Child Development General
Describe the Issue or Situation. In the current societal context, occurrences of adolescent pregnancy and individuals hailing from low-income households have grown increasingly prevalent. This pattern is notably evident within the residents of Spencer County. During the current year, the agents of Spencer County Family and Consumer Sciences and 4-H/Youth Development, in collaboration with the Family Resource & Youth Service Centers and other community partners, coordinated t
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Tot Time
Author: Alex Kelly
Major Program: Child Development General

Tot Time was a new program designed to support young children in preparing for preschool by enhancing their social, life, and physical skills. Recognizing the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which limited socialization opportunities, and the barriers faced by families with fewer resources, Tot Time aimed to equip both children and parents with the tools needed for a successful transition into preschool. Offered in partnership with SOAR, the program included interactive activities that
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Fleming County's Laugh and Learn Program
Author: Kaitlyn Fryman
Major Program: Child Development General
Issue or Situation: Many young children in Fleming County lack opportunities to engage in structured, hands-on activities that promote the development of fine and gross motor skills. Additionally, high school students in child development classes often seek meaningful, real-world experiences to apply their learning and enhance their understanding of working with children.Outreach or Educational Program Response: In response to this need, the Fleming County Extension Service partnered with Flemin
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Laugh and Learn Playdate
Author: Asya Jarrell
Major Program: Child Development General
A common issue that the Laugh and Learn Playdate can help tackle is the gap in early childhood development, particularly in preparing children for school. Many young children, especially those from underserved communities, may lack access to structured early learning experiences that promote social, cognitive, and physical development. This can result in difficulties with school readiness, such as challenges with communication, socialization, fine motor skills, and the ability to follow instruct
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Impact of Fulton County CECC
Author: Anna Morgan
Major Program: Child Development General
Four River Counties Community Early Childhood Collaborative is of vital importance to the rural area of Far Western KY by serving Ballard, Carlisle, Fulton and Hickman Counties. Extension FCS Agent in Fulton County has served as the council chairman for the past five years. This Early Childhood grant advocates for the young child and their families by improving quality childcare, increasing parent knowledge, improving school readiness, and collaboration to meet the needs of the families. T
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Achieving Early Childhood Goals with Laugh & Learn Play Dates
Author: Vicki Wynn
Major Program: Child Development General
The University of Kentucky's 'Laugh & Learn' play date program was designed to assist with achieving these goals found in the Kentucky Early Childhood Profile. --Every Kentucky child will enter school ready to succeed. --Every parent will know what their child needs to be ready for school. --Every community will come together in support of their youngest children. According to Kentucky’s 2023 Early Childhood Profile, children in
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Early Childhood School Readiness
Author: Rachel Hance
Major Program: Child Development General
It is through our valued partnership with the Allen, Logan, and Simpson Regional Collaborative that we, the Logan County Cooperative Extension Service, seek to improve school readiness in Logan County by educating, encouraging, and engaging families. Kindergarten readiness means that each child enters school ready to engage in and benefit from early learning experiences that best promote the child’s success. The kindergarten screener measures readiness in five important domains, academic/c
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Madison County FCS Free Book Project
Author: Jessica Hunley
Major Program: Child Development General
In the summer of 2024, Madison County FCS Extension was presented with an opportunity to attain free children's books for programming from Rand McNally Publishers. The FCS Agent confirmed a shipment and delivery for the books requested, but soon realized a typo error just created a new challenge and opportunity outside of the plan. The intended delivery was about 10 times bigger than the original plan, and so with the help of county extension teammates, several more pallets made their way ho
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Laugh and Learn Playdates
Author: Sarah Drysdale
Major Program: Child Development General
Kentucky has reported that only 44.9% of children attending kindergarten in Ballard County are prepared and equipped to succeed. In many Kentucky counties, limited resources or the environment may hinder healthy lifestyle choices related to early childhood development and physical activity. As an innovative strategy to improve early childhood development skills and increase kindergarten readiness with Ballard County residents, the Family and Consumer Sciences Agent partnered with Ballard Co
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Dr. Yum’s Food Adventure with Ms. Cundiff’s Class
Author: Ronda Rex
Major Program: Child Development General

Describe the Issue or Situation.Dr. Yum Food Adventure is “an interactive, multi-sensory nutrition curriculum with unparalleled teacher training and support, strong family involvement, and research to prove it helps kids enjoy more fruits and vegetables!” It is a flexible curriculum that allows teachers to incorporate lessons within their program as a whole group or center-based experience, building a culture of wellness at school. Kids with special needs may have additi
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Comics and Capes: A Super Family Adventure
Author: Ashley Board
Major Program: Child Development General
According to the Early Childhood Profile, approximately 49% of children in Caldwell and Crittenden counties are not ready for kindergarten. With most children aged 0-5 in the area not enrolled in childcare, families need access to alternative educational programs that build kindergarten readiness skills.To address this need, the Caldwell and Crittenden Family and Consumer Sciences Agents partnered with the George Coon Public Library and the Caldwell, Crittenden, and Lyon Regional Collaborative t
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Laugh and Learn Playdates
Author: Anna Morgan
Major Program: Child Development General
In Fulton County, Kentucky, access to early childhood daycare options is limited, posing a significant challenge for families with young children. Many parents struggle to find affordable, high-quality daycare, which can delay crucial early learning experiences. This lack of access not only affects a child’s kindergarten readiness but also means some children start school without the foundational social, emotional, and academic skills they need to thrive. The shortage of early education op
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Empowering Homeschoolers: A College Preparation Success Story from Taylor County
Author: Kimberly Thomas
Major Program: Child Development General
Kimberly Thomas, the Family and Consumer Science Agent, led a seven-session College Preparation Class at the Campbellsville Homeschool Co-op, equipping six, homeschool students with essential skills for college success. In Taylor County, where 4.5% of youth are homeschooled (Legislative Research Commission, 2018), this class provided a vital resource for college readiness.Students explored various colleges, both in-state and out-of-state, and learned effective strategies for standardized tests l
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Laugh and Learn Play Dates
Author: M. Elizabeth Coots
Major Program: Child Development General
Early childhood development is a critical foundation for lifelong learning and health. However, many Kentucky children enter kindergarten without the skills needed to succeed. In some counties, including Shelby, limited access to early learning resources and structured play opportunities can hinder development in key areas such as literacy, motor skills, and social-emotional growth. According to the Kentucky Kids Count Data Center, only 53% of children in Shelby County demonstrated kindergarten
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Community Baby Shower
Author: Christy Stearns
Major Program: Child Development General
The 2024 Kids Count County Data Dashboard revealed that 20.9% of expectant Clinton County mothers report smoking during pregnancy; 7.1% of pregnancies result in low birthweight babies; and the community has a 24.2% teen birth rate. The Clinton County Cooperative Extension Service sponsored a Community Baby Shower for 47 pregnant women and parents of infants up to age three months. The goal of the Community Baby Shower was to provide information to families on child health and developmental
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Understanding Disabilities
Author: Rebecca Miller
Major Program: Child Development General
Nearly 61 million people in the United States have a disability. Kentucky has reported that 26% of residents in Bell County are living with a disability. In many Kentucky counties, limited resources and education about disabilities may serve as barriers for healthy accessibility and engagement with their community and environment. As an innovative strategy to improve knowledge and understanding about disabilities and increase compassion for those who have disabilities, the Family and
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Understanding Disability
Author: Marsha Hagler
Major Program: Child Development General
According to the US Census, around 11% of individuals under 65 in Nelson County are living with a disability. To support educational efforts during Disability Awareness month, the Understanding Disabilities program was offered to Nelson County Educators. This Understanding Disability curriculum includes 12 suggested lessons each of which covers a unique disability. Each session identifies a specific disability that is illustrated through the reading of the identified book. Each lesson inclu
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Laugh and Learn Playdates
Author: Jennifer Bridge
Major Program: Child Development General
Kentucky has reported that only 52% of children attending kindergarten in Meade County are prepared and equipped to succeed. In many Kentucky counties, limited resources or the environment may hinder healthy lifestyle choices related to early childhood development and physical activity. As an innovative strategy to improve early childhood development skills and increase kindergarten readiness with Meade County residents, the Family and
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Laugh and Learn Playdates: Teaching Healthy Development
Author: David Weisenhorn
Major Program: Child Development General
Title: Laugh and Learn Playdates: Teaching Healthy DevelopmentRelevance: More than half (54%) of the nation’s 3- to 4-year-olds were not enrolled in preschool between 2018 and 2022. According to Kids Count Data, during the 2019 - 2023 school year only 37% of kindergarten students in Kentucky were ready for their learning experience based on the criteria set by the Governor’s Office of Early Childhood.The early years of a child’s life are foundational for lifelong success.
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Life Skills 101
Author: Shelley Meyer
Major Program: Child Development General
Describe the Issue or Situation.The transition from adolescence to adulthood presents numerous challenges for young people, many of whom lack the essential skills needed to navigate life successfully. These skills, commonly referred to as life skills, include practical knowledge such as financial literacy, effective communication, problem-solving, time management, and basic home and vehicle knowledge. However, many youth report feeling unprepared for adulthood, highlighting a critical gap in edu
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Laugh & Learn at the Library
Author: Denise Wooley
Major Program: Child Development General
Kentucky has reported that only 43.5% of children attending kindergarten in Graves County are prepared and equipped to succeed. In many Kentucky counties, limited resources or the environment may hinder healthy lifestyle choices related to early childhood development and physical activity. As an innovative strategy to improve early childhood development skills and increase kindergarten readiness with Graves County residents, the Family and Consu
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24-25 Laugh and Learn Playdates
Author: Shonda Johnston
Major Program: Child Development General
According to the Kentucky Early Childhood Profiles, average kindergarten readiness rates have remained at approximately 50% over the last ten years. Most notably, a significant dip was observed in 2022 and 2023, for kindergarteners who were two and three years old when the pandemic began in 2020. In many Kentucky counties, limited resources or the environment may serve as barriers for healthy lifestyle choices related to early childhood development and physical activity. Clark County falls
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Kindergarten Readiness in Campbell County
Author: Kate Thompson
Major Program: Child Development General
In Campbell County, an average from all the school districts showed that only 48% of students were kindergarten ready, which was a drop from pre-pandemic years (Kentucky Youth Advocates, 2024). Kindergarten readiness means the child is academically, socially, and emotionally ready to start school. Another important focus for children to be ready for school is having healthy relationships and strong families. According to the University of Kentucky’s publication, “Family Vitalit
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Laugh & Learn
Author: Leah VanMeter
Major Program: Child Development General
In the 2024 Early Childhood Profile for Kentucky, only 40% of children in Butler County are prepared for kindergarten. This profile kindergarten readiness using measures of cognitive/general knowledge, physical well-being, self-help, social/emotional skills, and language and communication skills.The Butler County Family and Consumer Science (FCS) Agent hosted in-person Laugh and Learn playdates monthly during the 2024-2025 program year to provide a program to foster school readiness activities t
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Sew It, Grow It, Cook It – Summer Camp Teaches Life Skills Through Hands-On Learning
Author: Sarah Congleton
Major Program: Child Development General

Describe the Issue or SituationIn today’s fast-paced world, many youth lack opportunities to engage in hands-on learning experiences that build practical life skills like sewing, gardening, and cooking. Recognizing a need for meaningful summer enrichment activities, especially for upper elementary students, the Family Resource and Youth Services Centers (FRYSCs) at Mt. Sterling and Camargo Elementary Schools sought to partner with community programs that promote creativity, self-sufficienc
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Patchwork Playdates
Author: Cathy Sparks
Major Program: Child Development General
Describe the Issue or Situation.Magoffin County has only one licensed day care in the community and very few opportunities for pre-school age children to participate in educational and fun activities. Patchwork Playdates uses the state adopted Laugh and Learn curriculum provided by the University of Kentucky to conduct monthly activities for the children.Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).Laugh and Learn curriculum is used for the educational comp
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Life Skills 101
Author: Shannon Farrell
Major Program: Child Development General

Describe the Issue or Situation. The transition from adolescence to adulthood presents numerous challenges for young people, many of whom lack the essential skills needed to navigate life successfully. These skills, commonly referred to as life skills, include practical knowledge such as financial literacy, effective communication, problem-solving, time management, and basic home and vehicle knowledge. However, many youth report feeling unprepared for adulthood, highlighting a critical gap
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UP and READY Life Skills Day Camp
Author: Kristy Porter
Major Program: Child Development General

Describe the Issue or Situation.In today’s fast-paced world, many young people are entering adulthood without the foundational life skills they need to thrive independently. From basic car maintenance and cooking to financial literacy and stress management, these essential competencies are often overlooked in traditional education settings. In Pike County, Extension agents recognized a growing need to equip youth with practical, hands-on experiences that build confidence, independence, and
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Children, Youth and Families at Risk Uplift grant 2019-2024
Author: Kerri Ashurst
Major Program: Child Development General

The CYFAR “Uplift: Empowering Today’s Youth for Tomorrow’s Future” project collaborates with Kentucky State University and the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension program. The purpose is to provide comprehensive life skills development programming to Middle and High school youth. Utilizing Botvin Life Skills curricula as the primary tool, the Uplift team delivered life skills programming in urban and rural settings. The Life Skills focus has been primarily on Tra
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