Encouraging the Adoption of Healthy Lifestyles and Health MaintenancePlan of Work

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Laurel County CES

Title:
Encouraging the Adoption of Healthy Lifestyles and Health Maintenance
MAP:
Health and Wellness
Agents Involved:
Davidson, Easley, Williams
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Substance Use Prevention and Recovery General
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Food Preparation and Preservation
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Nutrition and Food Systems General
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Active Living and Health Promotions General
Situation:

The obesity epidemic threatens the quality and years of life of Kentuckians. The obesity rate in Kentucky increased 90 percent over the last 15 years and thirty percent of individuals in the Commonwealth report no leisure-time physical activity. These individuals are at an increased risk for many chronic health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some types of cancers. Increased consumption of unhealthy food, stress, and built environments that promote physical inactivity are largely responsible for the obesity epidemic. As a result, Kentuckians, including youth, are dying from heart disease and cancer at higher rates than all Americans and they have a lower life expectancy, 75.5 years, compared to 78 years for Americans. Besides high obesity rates, Kentucky youth are also facing high rates of substance abuse, bullying and safety concerns. Early substance use in childhood/adolescence affects later drug use.   

Long-Term Outcomes:


Intermediate Outcomes:


Initial Outcomes:
Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Participants will gain knowledge of healthy lifestyle choices.

Indicator: Individuals, families and groups will invest time and resources in delivering the programs

Method: survey

Timeline: July - June


Intermediate Outcome: Participants will make healthier food choices and increase the amount of physical activity in their lives.

Indicator: Behavioral changes will lead to improvement in the quality of life.

Method: pre-post test evaluation

Timeline: July-June


Long-term Outcome: Community health and economy is strengthened through efforts of local leadership

Indicator: There will be a measurable decline in obesity, chronic disease and substance use among citizens in Laurel County.

Method: Number of local policy changes as a result of Extension programs

Timeline: July-June

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: 4-H Youth

Project or Activity: 4-H Healthy Foods, Cooking and Food Preservation

Content or Curriculum: Teen Cuisine, Put it Up, Cooking 101, microwave cooking

Inputs: 4-H Agents, 4-H assistant, volunteers

Date: Summer, Fall


Audience: 4-H Youth

Project or Activity: 4-H Health Day Events

Content or Curriculum: National 4-H Health materials

Inputs: Extension agents, staff, volunteers

Date: February 2019


Audience: 4-H Youth

Project or Activity: Pre-prom Mock Accident and Trial (Substance Abuse Prevention Program)

Content or Curriculum: Truth and Consequences curriculum; ASAP, UNITE

inputs: 4-H agent, Laurel County ASAP Board, Local emergency agencies, local high schools

Date: April, May 2019


Audience: 4-H Youth

Project or Activity: 4-H School Programs

Content or Curriculum: 4-H curriculum

Inputs: 4-H agents, 4-H assistant, volunteers, local schools

Date: September-May


Audience: General public

Project or Activity: Cook Together, Eat Together

Content or Curriculum: FCS Curriculum

Inputs: FCS agent, EFNEP, state FCS specialists

Date: Fall


Audience: SNAP eligible audiences

Project or Activity: EFNEP

Content or Curriculum: NEP curriculum

Inputs: FCS Agent, EFNEP, state NEP

Date: ongoing


Audience: General Public

Project or Activity: Holiday Cooking School

Content or Curriculum: FCS curriculum

Inputs: Extension Agents and Local Organizations

Date: November


Audience: General Public

Project or Activity: Small Steps to Health and Wealth

Content or Curriculum: SSHW

Inputs: FCS

Date: January - June


Audience: General Public

Project or Activity: Food Preservation Programs

Content or Curriculum: FCS Curriculum, Victory Garden materials

Inputs: FCS Agent

Date: Summer


Audience: General Public

Project or Activity: Farmers Feast

Content or Curriculum: Plate it Up KY

Inputs: Extension Agent, God's Pantry Food Bank, Farmers Market

Date: August


Audience: Low income family

Project or Activity: WIC FMNP

Content or Curriculum: KDA

Inputs: Extension Agents, Farmers Market, Health Department

Date July-Oct.


Audience: General Public

Project or Activity; Victory Garden

Content or Curriculum: KDA, UK

Inputs: Extension Agents, Community Garden

Date June-Oct.


Audience: Youth, General Public 

Project or Activity: To Go Bags

Content or Curriculum: UK Extension Pubs

Inputs: Extension Agents, Staff

Date: Monthly



Audience: Public

Project or Activity:  Vaccination Site

Content or Curriculum: CDC Pubs, FEMA, SNAP Publications

Inputs: Health department, KY Medical Emergency Management, National Guard, 



Success Stories

Senior Farmers Market Vouchers

Author: Lora Davidson

Major Program: Nutrition and Food Systems General

Kentucky has one of the highest rates in the nation of food insecurity among older adults at a 17.3%, with the national rate of 10.6%.  Over 6.9% of seniors who are 60 years and older are food insecure.  This means that 196,000 seniors are eligible for the SNAP program, but only about 32% of these seniors benefit from the program.  Studies conducted by Feed America indicates that 16.4% of Laurel County residents are food insecure.  To address the needs of older citizens in ou

Full Story

StoryWalk

Author: Lora Davidson

Major Program: Family Development General

The FCS Agent and FCS Team at the Laurel County Extension office decided to host a StoryWalk as a unique and engaging way to promote early literacy and physical activity among the children in their community. The CDC recommends that adolescents who are between the ages of 6-17 years of age, receive at least 6o minutes of physical activity a day.  The FCS team recognized the potential of this innovative concept and were able to host this event for the 2nd year in a row that would leave a las

Full Story
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