Close Resources

Contact Information

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu

Impacts

Contact Information

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu




Fiscal Year:
Jul 1, 2023 - Jun 30, 2024


Healthy Families and CommunitiesPlan of Work

Knott County CES

Title:
Healthy Families and Communities
MAP:
Empowering Healthy Home and Communities
Agents Involved:
Linda Combs, Dora Webb, and Chad Conway
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Community Vitality and Leadership -FCS
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Faithful Families
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Cook Together, Eat Together
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Financial Education - General
Situation:

The 2019 community assessment indicated:

The lack of jobs in the area is an important issue for Knott County.  An additional challenge is lower waged jobs leave little income, particularly with the high cost of commuting.  

Drug use also was identified as a priority issue.  Substance abuse has negative consequences for individuals directly affected and their families. Some of these side-effects are cos rehabilitation, emergency response cost, jail, employability, and grandparents raising grandchildren.  

A lack of maintained roads, adequate infrastructure, and the overall condition of the county is a hindrance to improving life.  A lack of job skills and “soft job skills” hinder employability.  Families in Knott county lack financial resources to thrive. 

Volunteer leaders are critical for the sustainability of the community infrastructure. These volunteer leaders can help families become engaged, educated, and empowered to understand family and community issues and take ownership of implementing local solutions.

Long-Term Outcomes:
  • More effective employees and community leaders
  • Improved financial capability for Kentuckians, results in a better quality of life and stronger families
  • Better family money management skills, such as reducing debt, increasing savings, and financial planning
  • Community problems are solved through active engaged local leaders
  • Improve the built and natural environment to increase active and healthy lifestyles
Intermediate Outcomes:
  • Practice better employee “soft skills” such as communication, networking, teamwork, time management, problem-solving, etc
  • Improve employability through practical living skills and continued education practices
  • Practice one or more resource management behaviors resulting in increased savings or investments
  • Adopt financial planning strategies

Initial Outcomes:
  • Change knowledge, opinions, skills, and aspirations to improve employability through work and practical living skills and continuing education
  • Increase knowledge and skills related to managing financial resources, including savings, credit, and financial planning
  • Assist and participate in Knott County Drug Abuse Council with activities/events

Evaluation:

Observation and the use of pre and post-test results.

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Adults

Project or Activity: Holiday Showcase

Content or Curriculum: UK Extension Curriculum

Inputs: FCS Agents

Date: November 2021


Audience: Adults

Project or Activity: Savings Savvy with Grocery List and Coupon Apps

Content or Curriculum: UK Extension Curriculum

Inputs: Crystal Osborne

Date: January 2022


Audience: Adults

Project or Activity: How to Organize

Content or Curriculum: UK Extension Curriculum

Inputs: Laken Campbell

Date: May 2022


Audience: Adults

Project or Activity: How to Organize

Content or Curriculum: UK Extension Curriculum

Inputs: Agents

Date: On-going


Audience: Adults/Youth

Project or Activity: Financial Education

Content or Curriculum: UK Extension Curriculum

Inputs: Agents

Date: On-going


Audience: Adults

Project or Activity: Lifeskills

Content or Curriculum: UK Extension Curriculum

Inputs: Agents

Date: On-going



Success Stories

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

Author: Dora Centers

Major Program: Family and Consumer Science

     A partnership with a local elementary school, family resource coordinator and Knott Co 4-H provided 25 families of grandparents who are raising their grandchildren with learning opportunities.     The afternoon was an outside picnic provided by the school where families were given 4-H cooking meal time basics, 4-H mindfulness/coping and a family craft to demonstrate options for positive family time.  Information on local resources were also provided. 

Full Story

It's Your Reality

Author: Dora Centers

Major Program: Economic Development and Workforce Preparation – 4-H Youth Development

        In a collaborative effort, Knott County 4-H, Knott Co Board of Education, Beaver, Carr Creek, Cordia, Emmalena , Hindman, and Jones Fork Elementary schools through their Family Youth Resource Service Coordinators participated in University of Kentucky’s 2021-22 “It’s Your Reality” program.  The program focus is financial literacy and life skills for 7-12th grade students.  Knott County’s 8th grade students ta

Full Story