Family and Individual Well-Being Across the Lifespan Plan of Work

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Barren County CES

Title:
Family and Individual Well-Being Across the Lifespan
MAP:
Promoting Healthy and Nurturing Families
Agents Involved:
Tarry, Schalk
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Child Development Programs
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Aging-General
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Family Development General
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Substance Use Prevention and Recovery General
Situation:

Children need a disciplined, caring home that will foster their overall physical, social, and emotional development. Family morals and values need to show the positive aspects of making healthy choices, showing respect, and cooperating. Communication, positive recognition, non-violent punishment, and empowerment build positive self-worth in children. Empathy is the key to being a nurturing parent. Parents who take the time to nurture themselves are more capable of nurturing their children.

Children who live in poverty are more likely to have learning disabilities and developmental delays. 29% of Barren County children are living in poverty compared to 25% statewide (County Health Rankings and Roadmap, 2017). Furthermore, children who start kindergarten with delayed development, and fewer assets are by far more likely to repeat grades, get tracked into lower-tier classes, and drop out of high school than more advantaged children. More than half of Kentucky’s 56 judicial circuits have some form of mandated co-parenting education; more such education is needed.

Healthy dynamics in couples and parenting relationships result in family stability and benefit the well-being of adults and children. Co-habiting, same-sex, divorced, widowed and single households are the new majority. Children who live absent from their biological fathers are two to three times more likely to be poor, to experience educational, health, emotional and behavioral problems than their peers who live with their married, biological (or adoptive) parents. The 2016 Early Childhood Profile indicates that 428 Barren County youth 0-17 yrs. are being raised by grandparents. 

The recent statewide needs assessment identified substance use prevention and recovery as the most urgent priority for Cooperative Extension. Moreover, substance use was the focal point of the CES Advisory Council Meeting in early 2019. Taken together, youth KIP survey data and data from the CES needs assessment, demonstrate the need to address substance use prevention, recovery, stigma, and impact on families and communities

Long-Term Outcomes:

Barren County families will:

Intermediate Outcomes:

Barren County families will:

Initial Outcomes:

Barren County families will:

Additional initial outcomes including the; Number of community partners that have gained awareness of the problem and impacts of substance use in the community as a result of Extension efforts; Number of program participants that improved their understanding of substance use by attending “Addiction 101”; and Number of program participants who intend to change behavior to use destigmatized language.

Evaluation:

Outcome: Barren county families, parents, and caregivers will commit to understanding the importance of parent leadership skills including setting rules, understanding child development, and realistic child expectations.

Indicator: Commits to understanding child development, realistic expectations, and setting family rules regarding eating together, limiting screen time, active play, and exercise. Establishes family routines and Improved quality of Personal Relationships/Communication.

Method: Pre-post survey results from related programming; also group discussion, evaluations, and self-report. 

Timeline: After the implementation of programs throughout the year.


Outcome: Barren County families, parents, and, caregivers will gain increased knowledge of effective parenting skills. 

Indicator:  Increased knowledge of effective parenting skills via parenting classes and other education opportunities.

Method: Pre-post survey results of parent/caregiver participants.

Timeline: After the implementation of programs throughout the year.


Initial Outcome:  Barren County public and communities will develop an awareness of the aging process and strategies for independent and quality aging.

Indicator: Increased knowledge of strategies for healthy aging.

 Method: Follow up surveys, observation, self-report, and group discussions.

Timeline: After the implementation of programs throughout the year.


Outcome: Barren County families will gain an understanding of substance abuse and increased knowledge and awareness of the problem and impact of substance use on the community. 

Indicator:  Increased knowledge and awareness of the risks and consequences related to drugs and substance abuse in community members, families, and teens.

Method: Pre-post survey results of parent/caregiver participants, self-report, observation.

Timeline: After the implementation of programs throughout the year.


Outcome: Barren County families, parents, and caregivers will report setting family rules and routines; they will also report practicing skills to strengthen and sustain healthy relationships. 

Indicator: An increase in the number of people who report setting family rules, routines, and limit screen time. Also an increase in parents' ability to identify realistic expectations for their children. 

Method: Follow up surveys, observation, self-report, and group discussions.

Timeline: After the implementation of programs throughout the year.


Outcome: An increased number of Barren County preschoolers will demonstrate kindergarten readiness; preschoolers will demonstrate cognitive, language, motor, self-help, and social-emotional/behavior readiness.   

Indicator: An increase in the number of preschoolers who are kindergarten-ready. 

Method: Data review, Follow up surveys, observation, self-report, and group discussions.

Timeline: After the implementation of programs and completion of data profiles. 


Outcome: Barren County community members, including parents and caregivers, are engaged in building capacity to nurture families.

Indicator: An increase in the number of parents and/or caregivers who practice one or more parental leadership skills such as parental empathy, proper ways of establishing family rules, and concrete support for their child to develop a sense of positive self-worth.

Method: Follow up surveys, observation, data collection.

Timeline: At the conclusion of analysis using a longitudinal method comparing indicators from those participating in programs and control groups not participating.

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Parents/Guardians and Kinship Caregivers 

Project or Activity: Adult/Families Projects/Curricula

Content or Curriculum: Nurturing Families, Alzheimer's Awareness, Parenting a Second Time Around, Life Story/Memory Banking, Traditions, AARP Prepare to Care

Inputs: FCS Agent, UK Specialists, Parents and Guardians, Caretakers, Families, Family Resource Service Coordinators, Dependency Case Managers 

Date: Ongoing


Audience: Youth, Families, Educators 

Project or Activity: Youth Projects/Curricula

Content or Curriculum: Stories, Songs, and Stretches

Inputs: FCS Agent, Parents/Guardians, Educators/Teachers, Families, Family Resource Service Coordinators

Date: Ongoing 


Audience: Barren County Youth

Project or Activity: Truth and Consequences

Content or Curriculum: T&C: The Choice is Yours

Inputs: FCS Agent, 4-H Assistant, CES Staff, Local School Systems, Area Youth, Community Partners

Date: During the school year


Audience: Individuals and Families Impacted by Addiction

Project or Activity: Addiction Training and Education

Content or Curriculum: Addiction 101

Inputs: UK Specialists, FCS Agent, Impacted Barren Countians, Interested Local Professionals

Date: Ongoing 


Audience: Recovery Centers/Jails

Project or Activity: Life skills including Financial Education

Content or Curriculum: Recovering Your Finances; Positive Employability 

Inputs: FCS Agent, Coordination with community stakeholders, Participants, Families

Date: Throughout the year  

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