Extension
It Starts With Us
Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Hagler, Howard, Smith
Health
Substance Use Prevention and Recovery General
Active Living and Health Promotions General
Community Gardens and Horticulture Therapy
Currently of the 43,000 people in Nelson County, over 15% live below the poverty line. 23% of high school students are eligible for free and reduced lunch. A large majority of Nelson County residents aged 25 and older have high school diplomas (86%) but only 16% have a Bachelor’s degree or higher.
Obesity, drugs and lack of exercise all contribute to the poor health of Nelson County residents. Currently, Nelson County residents average 6.5 unhealthy days a month. Currently, 30% get no exercise and 26% are overweight. Over 8,000 residents reported having poor health. The goal of Promoting Positive Lifestyles and Tapping into Local Food Systems is to work with at-risk groups to begin incorporating healthy eating behavior and physical activity into their daily lives/routines, therefore reducing the risk of obesity and susceptibility to the diseases associated. In addition, it is a goal to utilize local food systems to not only provide more fruits and vegetables to citizens of Nelson County, but also to support community producers, stimulating the local food economy.
1. Reduce the poverty rate for Nelson County residents and families through financial literacy and drug use prevention programs.
2. Improve the overall quality of life for Nelson County residents and families.
3. Decrease the number of drug-related mental illnesses.
4. Increase in the number of fruits and vegetables residents consume.
5. Increase the number of producer/growers of local fruits and vegetables, while encouraging gardening and horticulture as a low-risk, high-reward outdoor therapy.
1.Resident participants show monetary or fiscal benefits after receiving extension resources or programs regarding financial literacy, substance use prevention, or both.
2.Participants increase physical activity, including outdoor gardening or horticulture activities, by at least 10 minutes per day
3.Participants show that they have increased fruit and vegetable consumption by at least 2 servings per day.
4.Participants in mental health awareness, financial literacy, or substance use prevention programs (separate or in conjunction) indicate a decrease in anxiety and/or depression, poverty and/or drug use.
5. Number of local growers/producers increases by 10%.
1.Program participants recognize stigma in the realm of mental illness and substance use and recognize and identify options to treat mental illness or habitual drug use.
2.Knowledge of physical activity opportunities outside the norm, including outdoor gardening and horticulture therapy.
3.Awareness of MyPlate, gained resources regarding in-season fruit and vegetables as well as balanced/healthy recipes.
4.Knowledge of the benefits of buying or selling local produce. Knowledge of where to access local, healthy, foods.
5.Awareness of community issues regarding food insecurity. Recognition, on behalf of growers, of the need to provide sustainable food access to all residents, including limited-resource audiences.
6. Knowledge, skill or ability in managing a budget.
7. Knowledge, skill or ability to access resources that assist in reducing debt, stopping habitual drug use, or encouraging treatment for mental illness.
Initial Outcome: Participant or clientele recognition of social stigmas surrounding substance use and the hardship it can provide community, family and individuals for body, mind and/or finances.
Indicator: Qualitative data from peer, community or neighbor-led discussions; open dialogues surrounding substance use is happening and recognizable. Quantitative data indicates recognition of change or questioning of initial opinion regarding substance use and its effects on body, mind and/or finances.
Method: Open ended discussion as a part of programs linked below; conversations led by community leaders/agents. Pre/Post test for pre-packaged curriculum and research-based publications.
Timeline: 1 Year/Ongoing
Intermediate Outcome:
Indicator: Participants/clientele/community not only recognize stigmas and dangers of substance use to family, mind, body and finances, but are able to identify and actively use strategies to help themselves or others recover.
Method: Qualitative data from extension programs indicate participants/community members are actively participating in strategies to help themselves or others who may be struggling with substance use disorders. Quantitative data indicates strategies regarding recovering from substance use and substance use disorders, and its effects on body, mind and/or finances are being used daily for an individual or someone an individual knows or cares for.
Timeline: Ongoing
Long-term Outcome: Drug related mental illness and poverty in the community decrease and community members' wellness levels and overall physical health increases.
Indicator: Census data, reports from federal, state and local levels. Qualitative and Quantitative data collected through extension programs.
Method: Pre/Post Tests, Longitudinal data from federal, state and local levels.
Timeline: Ongoing
Audience: Limited Resource Adults, Youth, and Families (County SNAP-Ed Programming).
Project or Activity: Hands On SNAP-Ed Activities and Evidence-Based Information provided by Federal SNAP-Ed Program through the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service.
Content or Curriculum: LEAP,,
Inputs: Curriculum, SNAP Grant Funding, Agents, SNAP-Ed Assistant, Volunteers, Teachers, Local Schools, Local Food Banks (St. Vincent Depaul Client Choice).
Date: On-Going
Audience: FRYSC Families, Limited Resource Families, Judicial System, Food Pantry Clientele
Project or Activity: Small Steps to Health & Wellness, Mental Health First Aid
Inputs: Agents, SNAP Assistant, Community Leaders
Date: Year long
Audience: School Enrichment, FCS Leader Trainings, Food Pantry, Nazareth.
Project or Activity: Program Participants.
Content or Curriculum: . 4-H Health & Health Rocks & GEMS Curriculum, Victory Gardening
Inputs: Agents, Volunteers, Youth Volunteers, Grant Funding, CES Resources.
Date: On-Going
Audience: Neighborly Nutrition Program, Farmers Market.
Project or Activity: Local Food Growing, Farmers Market Tastings & Educational Activities.
Content or Curriculum: Local Office Collaboration.
Inputs: Agents, Volunteers, CES Resources, Local Volunteer Growing Plots.
Date: On-Going
