Improve physical and mental healthPlan of Work

Back to Plans for the County

Bell County CES

Title:
Improve physical and mental health
MAP:
Making healthy lifestyle choices
Agents Involved:
Rebecca Miller, Brian Good
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Cook Together, Eat Together
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Health
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
LEAP
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Active Living and Health Promotions General
Situation:

A foundation of nutrition knowledge, skills and competencies in topics such as food safety, handling and preparation, cooking methods and techniques, feeding practices, food science, and food systems are essential to changing dietary behaviors. With the increased trend of chronic disease and obesity in Kentucky, individuals, families, and communities need tools and environments that support healthful dietary decisions. CES agents are encouraged to reach diverse audiences to help combat chronic disease and obesity in Kentucky communities.

Families and individuals suffer from chronic diseases due to the lack of physical activity. Most feel like they do not have the time to exercise and lack motivation. Extension provides opportunities for Bell Countians to get needed physical activity throughout their day and improve their overall health.







 

Long-Term Outcomes:
Intermediate Outcomes:
Initial Outcomes:


Evaluation:

Outcome:  Nutrition knowledge, skills, and competencies

Indicator:  Number of individuals who reported: use knowledge and skills to improve food-shopping management; utilize the food label to make healthy food choices; choosing smaller portions; increased food preservation knowledge; demonstrated recommended food preservation practices; number of individuals who reported they exercise more or get the recommended amount of physical activity in their day. 

Method: Self-report surveys; specific curricula or program evaluations

Timeline:  Pre-post implementing curricula or program


Outcome: Preparing and preserving food 

Indicator:  Number of individuals who reported: preparing more home-cooked meals; modifying ingredients and/or preparation techniques to improve nutrition

Method: Self-report survey; specific curricula or program evaluations

Timeline:  Pre-post implementing curricula or program


Outcome:  Dietary intake 

Indicator:  Number of individuals who reported: eating 4-6 servings of fruits and/or vegetables daily

Method: Self-report surveys about fruit and vegetable intake or other dietary improvements; specific curricula or program evaluations

Timeline: Pre-post implementing curricula or program


Outcome:  Availability and access to healthy food 

Indicator:  Number of individuals who reported: utilizing delivery systems/access points (e.g., farmers’ markets, CSAs, WIC, food pantries) that offer healthy foods; supplementing diets with healthy foods grown or preserved (e.g., community or backyard gardens, fishing, hunting, farmers markets); dollar value of vendor-reported sales or EBT, WIC, or Senior benefits redeemed at farmers’ markets; number of pints of foods preserved through water bath canning, pressure canning, freezing, or drying. 

Method: Self-report survey

Timeline:  Pre-post implementing curricula or program


Learning Opportunities:

Audience:4-H youth

Project or Activity: 4-H Cooking 101

Content or Curriculum: 4-H cooking 101 booklet, UK 4-H publications on nutrition

Inputs: paid staff, volunteers, facilities, programmatic materials, NEP

Date:ongoing projects throughout the year


Audience: homemakers, adults, youth, families

Project or Activity:My Plate

Content or Curriculum: Professor Popcorn, NEP publications and curriculum

Inputs:NEP, paid staff, schools

Date: ongoing throughout the year


Audience:cloverbuds, youth 9 and under

Project or Activity:LEAP 

Content or Curriculum: Agents, schools, SNAP Ed, Family Resource Centers

Inputs:Agents, schools, SNAP Ed, Family Resource Centers

Date:ongoing throughout school year


Audience: adults, homemakers, youth

Project or Activity: Food Preservation

Content or Curriculum: UK publications, So Easy to Preserve Videos, trainings

Inputs:paid staff, Specialist, facilities, NEP

Date:May to September for adults and youth


Audience: general public, youth, adults, farmers, homemakers

Project or Activity: Farmer's Market Outreach

Content or Curriculum: Plate It Up,  marketing, growing vegetables, farmers market tool kit

Inputs: NEP, specialist, paid staff, KDA

Date: April- October growing season


Audience:adults, homemakers, youth

Project or Activity:Food Preparation for Better Health

Content or Curriculum: super star chef, Cook Together Eat Together, Weight the Reality Series, Plate It Up!

Inputs:programmatic materials, paid staff, community partners

Date: ongoing throughout year


Audience:adults, volunteers, Master Gardeners

Project or Activity: Community Organic Gardening

Content or Curriculum: UK publications, UK gardening pubs, Master Gardener Curriculum

Inputs: agents, specialist, community partners

Date: growing season


Audience:adults, youth, families, homemakers

Project or Activity: Walking Program

Content or Curriculum: Get Moving Ky, Couch Potato Challenge, FitBlue

Inputs: agents, specialist, programmatic materials

Date:on going



Success Stories

Get Moving Walking Program

Author: Rebecca Miller

Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General

     Obesity and being overweight is a major issue the people in Bell County struggle with daily. Lack of exercise and sedentary lifestyles are the leading cause for this growing problem. To help address this issue, Get Moving, Kentucky, a walking program was started by the Cooperative Extension Service for the general public. Emphasis is on becoming more active by finding activities to help get people moving and off the couch. Forty- eight participants walked, jogged, danced or b

Full Story

Learning to Manage Stress During a Pandemic

Author: Rebecca Miller

Major Program: Aging-General

The 2020/2021 year has held many challenges for everyone across the United States. Facing a global pandemic wasn’t easy and brought on fear, stress and uncertainty for all families in our community. Helping individuals to manage and learn to cope with these obstacles in a safe way and helping them to stay physically connected but physically distanced was the focus and goal.The Bell County Cooperative Extension Service provided weekly grab and go kits with the lessons on the keys to embraci

Full Story
Back to Plans for the County