Strengthening Families & Enhancing Lifestyle Choices
Individual and Family Development
Nuetzman, Guffey, & Cecil
Family Development General
Family and Consumer Science
Aging-General
Positive Employability
Adults in our community lack the education, life, and workforce skills necessary to holding good jobs and creating healthy and stable foundations for families. An estimated 25.7% of the residents live in Clinton County below the poverty level and the median household income in 2018 was $31,115 (U.S.Census QuickFacts). Furthermore, U.S. Census Quick Facts documents that 73.1% of Clinton County residents graduate from high school while only 10.1% have a Bachelor’s degree or higher. Additionally, the 2020 County Health Rankings reveal a 5.5% unemployment rate for our community along with 8% of the population under age 65 being uninsured. Currently, 22.5% of the population is under age 18. When you look at our youngest citizens, kindergarten readiness results continue to show that children in our community fall below state averages for the past several years in academic, language, and physical development as well as social-emotional/self-help development. Data from the 2019 Early Childhood Profile indicates that only 42.7% of children in Clinton County are ready to enter kindergarten. When you look at the other end of the spectrum, as baby boomers are entering retirement, between 2010 and 2025 the population ages 65 and over in Clinton County are projected to increase by 22.7% (KY By the Numbers, Clinton County Data Profile).
Furthermore, 2019 Community Assessment results indicated the following prioritized issues in the Youth and Families category: more youth life skills training (money management, life decision making, etc.); more support for prevention of school violence and bullying; and better family skills in reducing debt, increasing savings and financial planning. Respondents also prioritized more jobs paying good wages and benefits in the community assessment which is subsequent to work in this area along with continued collaboration and partnerships with stakeholders.
Families are able to:
- Care for the physical and mental health and well-being of each individual over the long term
- Foster the optimal development of children and youth
- Practice parental leadership skills
- Access community resources when needed
- Improved family money management skills such as reduced debt, increased savings and financial planning
- More effective community leaders and employees
- Increased number of children who are kindergarten and school ready
The number of people who:
- Set and used family rules, routines and limited screen time
- Reduced stress levels, made time for selves, and/or made wise decisions about money, time, etc.
- Practice skills to strengthen and sustain relationships
- Accessed community agencies and resources when needed
- Engaged in community outreach activities
- Practice one or more resource management behaviors resulting in increased savings or investment
- Increased opportunities and access to more preschool learning activities outside the home
- Increase number of learning activities experienced at home
- Address mental health needs
- Prepare for caregiving
- Practice better employee “soft/essential skills” such as communication, networking, teamwork, time management, problem solving, etc.
- Improved employability through practical living skills and continued education practices
The number of people who:
- Commits to set family rules regarding eating together, limiting screen time, active play and exercise, set routines
- Intends to manage stress; make time for self; listen, talk, bond with family members; read with child daily; teach responsibility in use of money, time, etc.
- Understand the importance of developmentally appropriate play to their child’s academic success
- Increase awareness of key points of adolescent development
- Increase knowledge and skills related to managing financial resources, including savings, credit, and financial planning
- Improve employability through work and practical living skills and continued education practices.
- Learn that caregiver preparation is important
- Learn how to make healthy lifestyle choices
Initial Outcome: Participants will set family rules/routines and learn concepts related to discipline and punishment. They will also learn how to use preventive and positive discipline techniques. Individuals will learn normal changes related to aging and how to adapt healthy lifestyles. Individuals will demonstrate increased knowledge of soft/essential skills. Increased awareness of sound financial behaviors.
Indicator: Individuals will identify concepts learned and discuss positive changes implemented in families. Number of individuals reporting increased levels of understanding of soft/essential skills. Number of individuals who implemented at least one strategy to reduce expenses or save money.
Method: Pre/Post Evaluations and self-report
Timeline: Following programs
Intermediate Outcome: Participants will utilize family routines and rules and practice skills to enhance relationships. They will report using preventive and positive discipline techniques in response to misbehavior. Individuals will adapt healthy lifestyles related to aging and longevity. Individuals will practice improved workforce communication and networking skills. Number of individuals who implemented at least one strategy to reduce expenses or save money.
Indicator: Family members will report strategies implemented and changes in individuals and family dynamics and behaviors. Number of individuals who practice improved workforce skills and/or sound financial decision making skills.
Method: Evaluations/self-reports and follow-up surveys
Timeline: Following programs
Long-term Outcome: Family members will build personal strengths and self-control, interpersonal communication and life skills. They will also implement positive coping skills and stress management techniques.
Indicator: Members will deal with stressful situations in a positive manner by using skills learned and will indicate a decrease in the number negative outbursts and conflicts within the family unit.
Method: Program pre/post evaluations and self-report/follow-up evaluations
Timeline: Beginning and end of program and follow-up surveys
Audience: General Public
Project or Activity: Media (news articles, newsletters, radio spots)
Content or Curriculum: Exclusives, FCS Agent News Releases, publications, HEEL materials, etc.
Inputs: KY CES Publications and Resources, Extension Specialists, eXtension, USDA, CDC, etc.
Date: Monthly July 2021-June 2022
Audience: Families with Young Children
Project or Activity: Anchors & Paws Community Early Childhood Council (write grant and coordinate implementation of grant activities for combined 3 county council-Clinton, Cumberland, & Russell)
Content or Curriculum: Dolly Parton Imagination Library, LEAP, FCS Extension curricula, NAEYC, eXtension, etc.
Inputs: Governor's Office of Early Childhood and grant funds, FRYSC, Council Members, Community Partners, Schools, etc.
Date: 2021-2022
Audience: General Public
Project or Activity: Financial Management
Content or Curriculum: Money Habitudes, Good Credit Game, Real Skills for Everyday Life, various Extension publications, money smart curriculum and investment workshops, etc.
Inputs: Local banks, high school FCS department, community partners, Extension staff and resources
Date: 2021-2022
Audience: Older Adults
Project or Activity: Safe & Defensive Driver Education
Content or Curriculum: KY State Police and AARP
Inputs: Kentucky State Police, AARP, Retired Teachers Association, community partners, media
Date: TBD
Audience: Grandparents and Other Relatives Raising Children
Project or Activity: KINnections (Relatives Raising Children) Program-PASTA
Content or Curriculum: PASTA, FCS publications, curriculum, etc.
Inputs: FRYSC, schools, churches, community partners
Date: Monthly beginning August 2021
Audience: Primary Students
Project or Activity: Mind Your Manners for Primary Students
Content or Curriculum: FCS publications
Inputs: Extension Staff, Homemakers, volunteers, schools, etc.
Date: TBD
Audience: Youth and Adults
Project or Activity: Personal Enrichment & Life Skills Programs
Content or Curriculum: FCS publications, local resources, etc.
Inputs: Extension Homemakers, volunteers, churches, Extension Staff, schools
Date: TBD
Audience: Extension Homemakers/General Public
Project or Activity: Homemaker Leader Lesson Trainings/Community Workshops (specific topics TBA)
Content or Curriculum: KEHA approved lessons, FCS publications, agent developed materials
Inputs: Extension Staff, Homemakers, volunteers, churches, etc.
Date: August 2021-May 2022
Audience: Clinton County Families
Project or Activity: Parent Education & Family Enrichment
Content or Curriculum: Nurturing Parenting, Home is Where the Health Is, FCS publications, NEP materials, etc.
Inputs: DCBS, Adanta, schools, FRYSC, etc.
Date: 2020-2021
Audience: Youth and Adults
Project or Activity: Positive Employability/Career Development Programs
Content or Curriculum: Positive Employability
Inputs: Chamber, local businesses, schools, local government, volunteers, Area Technology Center, career coaches
Date: 2021-2022
Audience: Early Childhood age students and families
Project or Activity: Laugh & Learn/Ready, Set, Grow
Content or Curriculum: Laugh & Learn/barious Extension curricula appropriate for age group
Inputs: Early Childhood Center, FRYSC, 21st Century, churches, etc.
Date: September 2021-April 2022
Audience: All ages
Project or Activity: Bingocize
Content or curriculum: Bingocize
Inputs: Health Coalition, Nursing Home, Senior Center, Extension Homemakers
Date: TBD
Author: Christy Stearns
Major Program: Family Development General
Since many annual programs were cancelled last year due to the pandemic, Clinton County Extension Staff were excited to reintroduce Pumpkin Walk in a revised format that better met health and safety guidelines due to Covid-19. 302 youth and adults participated in the event along with 16 different organizations and agencies. The outdoor event which had families walking a half-mile loop together included fall themed physical activity games, health screenings, community resources, family fall scene
Author: Christy Stearns
Major Program: Family Development General
Only 36% of children are ready to enter kindergarten (KY Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Profile, 2020). To address early literacy and kindergarten readiness, 12 Nights of Virtual Bedtime Stories offered nightly bedtime stories read by community readers. Community readers ranged from police officers, nurse practitioners, State Senator, librarians, and Mrs. Claus. The stories were recorded and appeared on the Anchors & Paws Community Early Childhood Council Facebook page. Books foc
Author: Christy Stearns
Major Program: Family Development General
The Clinton County Cooperative Extension Service sponsored a Community Baby Shower for 67 pregnant women and parents of infants up to age three months. 24 community partners participated in the event as well. The goal of the Community Baby Shower was to provide information to families on child health and developmental needs as well as connecting families to appropriate services. Participants interacted with guest speakers on topics such as safe sleep, healthy pregnancy, basic and infant CPR, Spe
Author: Christy Stearns
Major Program: Financial Education - General
The Clinton County Cooperative Extension Service sponsored Adulting 101: Your Guide to Life Hacks for 93 high school seniors. The program targeted life skills to aid in the transition to college or the workforce. Students were able to practice life skills such as cooking, laundry & sewing, basic auto maintenance, money management, and job readiness. Prior to the program, 70% of students indicated average/good knowledge of the topics presented. Evaluations indicated that students gained the m
Author: James Cecil
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
The Longest Day of Play here in Clinton County is designed to teach families how to play and exercise together. There were several vendors with heath information and exercise tips for parents and their children. It is important that parents and Children learn to play and exercise and have fun while doing it. There were a total of 108 people who participate in the Longest Day of Play.