Grayson County CES

Title:

Parenting, Child and Family Development

MAP:

Building Strong Families in Grayson County

Agents Involved:

Taul, N.

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Family Development General

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Aging-General

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Stories, Songs, and Stretches

Situation:

“School-readiness” is a broad term that refers to multiple precursor cognitive, physical, and social-emotional skills that indicate young children are prepared to learn and thrive in the school environment. A wide body of research shows a strong foundation in school readiness is indicative of school success. Emerging research also indicates that there is a synergistic effect when early learning activities activate physical and cognitive skills simultaneously, as opposed to doing so in isolation. However, in the state of Kentucky only 50% of children are deemed “school-ready” when they enter Kindergarten. These numbers indicate a need for more activities that support school-readiness by building multiple skill sets simultaneously. 

In addition to child development, older adults also need support. 96,000 children in Kentucky live in kinship care including 418 Grandparents who live with and are raising grandchildren in Grayson County. Kentucky ranks first in the nation for the most children in kinship care settings. 15,000 children are in kinship care due to removal from their home. Kinship care providers need support as well as the rest of our aging population, even if they are not raising children. 

Long-Term Outcomes:

Increase the number of children who are “kindergarten ready” in Grayson County.

Kentuckians improve health and span through lifecycle choices and behaviors related to overall health and well-being.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Increase opportunities and access to more preschool learning activities both inside and outside of the home. 

Kentuckians of all ages adapt healthy lifestyle choices, including diet, physical activity, no smoking/binge drinking, etc. 

Initial Outcomes:

People of Grayson County understand the importance of developmentally appropriate play to their child’s academic success. 

Grayson Countians understand the importance of lifestyle choices and behaviors throughout their lifespan on their overall health, well-being, and life quality. 

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Grayson Countians learn fun ag appropriate activities to aid in their child’s healthy development. 

Indicator: Number of parents who expressed learning new activities to engage children at home. 

Method: Program surveys and participant feedback

Timeline: Every 6 months 

Intermediate Outcome: Adapt healthy lifestyles related to aging and longevity.

Indicator: Of the total number of individuals/families who learned information about healthy lifestyle choices related to aging/longevity, the total number of individuals/families/care gives who adapted their behavior. 

Method: 3-6 month post lesson evaluations

Timeline: Ongoing

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Preschool aged children and their parents/caregivers

Project/Activity: formal and informal educational programs

Content/Curriculum: Laugh and Learn Play Dates and/or Stories, Songs, and Stretches

Inputs: FCS Agent, Library, Family Resource Centers, Early Childhood Council, Preschools

Date: Monthly sessions, ongoing 2021-2024

Audience: All ages, Caregivers and Kinship Caregivers

Project/Activities: Formal and informal educational programs

Content/Curriculum: PASTA, Life Story, Traditions, AARP Prepare to Care, Alzheimer’s Association programming, Faithful Families, 

Inputs: FCS agent, CES publications and resources, health department

Date: Spring and Fall 2021-2022 

Audience: Facebook and Social Media Users/General Public

Project or Activity: Social media posts and/or virtual programming regarding family/child development and aging.

Content or Curriculum: various research based resources

Inputs: UK Specialists, paid Extension Staff, social media outlets

Date: 2021-2024

Success Stories