Developing Healthy LifestylesPlan of Work

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Hart County CES

Title:
Developing Healthy Lifestyles
MAP:
Enhancing the Health and Well Being of Indivduals and Families Across the Life Span
Agents Involved:
Estes
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Family Development General
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Active Living and Health Promotions General
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Nutrition and Food Systems General
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Health
Situation:

“School-readiness” is a broad term that refers to multiple precursor cognitive, physical, and social-emotional skills that indicate young children are prepared to learn and thrive in the school environment. A wide body of research shows a strong foundation in school readiness is indicative of school success. Emerging research also indicates that there is a synergistic effect when early learning activities activate physical and cognitive skills simultaneously, as opposed to doing so in isolation. However, in the state of Kentucky only 50% of children are deemed “school-ready” when they enter Kindergarten.  These numbers indicate a need for more activities that support school-readiness by building multiple skill sets simultaneously.

The Centers for Disease Control found in a nationally representative survey that only 29% of high school youth participated in at least 60 minutes of physical activity on each of the seven days before the survey. Participation in physical activity decreases as we age.Only 13% of Hart County residents get the daily recommended number of fruits and vegetables each day. (Kyhealthfacts.org)

People are living longer. Kentucky’s current population of seniors (65+) is 16.4% (2019 Census Data). By 2040 it is projected that every district will see an increase in the percent of the population that is age 65 and older (Zimmerman/KY by the Numbers). As the largest and fastest-growing segment of the U.S. population, older adults influence everything from consumer behavior to health-care costs (U.S. Census). While we may be adding years to life, there is concern about life quality. This is because a person’s life expectancy, the total number of years a person is expected to live, does not always match a person’s “health span”—time spent in good health (Institute of Medicine). The life expectancy of Kentuckians, 75.1 years, fluctuates as much as 9 years between counties and ranks among the bottom five states. Heavily influenced by life-long lifestyle behaviors and choices, including quality of diet, physical activity and tobacco use, the Kentuckian health span is also below national averages. Kentucky FCS can help individuals and families establish healthy lifestyle behaviors and relationships throughout the lifespan as way to positively influence optimal aging and help reduce issues such as chronic disease, obesity, opioid and alcohol abuse, and mental illness. 


Long-Term Outcomes:

 Adults and Youth maintain positive health habits.

•    Individuals are at a lower risk for serious disease and illness.

•    Individuals are at a lower risk for physical and emotional distress.

•    As a result of participating in Extension programming Hart County citizens will make improvements to their health which will lead to them having a better quality of life.


Intermediate Outcomes:
Initial Outcomes:
Evaluation:
Learning Opportunities:

Learning Opportunities (repeat as needed):

 Audience:  9th Grade Youth
Project or Activity: Truth and Consequences
Content or Curriculum: Truth and Consequences Curriculum
Inputs: School Staff; Extension Council
Date: Fall 2022

Audience: 7th Grade Youth
Project or Activity: STOP Program
Content or Curriculum: STOP Curriculum
Inputs: School Staff
Date: 2022-2023 School Year

Audience: 4th Grade Youth
Project or Activity: Farm Safety Day Camp
Content or Curriculum: Farm Safety Handbook; Hand Washing Lessons
Inputs: School System Staff & Family Resource Centers
Date: September 2022

Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Improve Your Mind and Body
Content or Curriculum: Bingocize
Inputs: General Population
Date: April 2023

Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Recipe Testing and Publication
Content or Curriculum: Plate it Up! Kentucky Proud
Inputs: General Population
Date: July 2022- June 2023

Audience: Adults and Youth
Project or Activity: Learning to Can, Freeze, and Dry Fruits and Vegetables
Content or Curriculum: Food Preservation
Inputs: Youth and Adults
Date: July 2022 - June 2023

Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Youth Fruit and Vegetable Access
Content or Curriculum: LEAP
Inputs: Youth
Date: July 2022- June 2023

Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Farmers Market
Content or Curriculum: Famers Market
Inputs: Adults
Date: July 2022- August 2023

Audience: Adults 

Project or Activity: Raising Awareness about Alzheimer’s  
Content or Curriculum: Know the 10 Signs
Inputs: Adults
Date: Fall 2022

Audience: Adults 

Project or Activity: Aging Gracefully
Content or Curriculum: Keys to Embracing Age
Inputs: Adults
Date: Fall 2022

Audience:  7th Grade Students

Project or Activity:  Positive Choices

Content or Curriculum:  4-H Health

Inputs:  Youth

Date:  Fall 2022

Audience:  High School FMD Students

Project or Activity:  Preparing Healthy Meals

Content or Curriculum:  4-H Health

Inputs:  Youth

Date:  Fall 2022 –Spring 2023

Audience:  Youth and Adults

Project or Activity:  Cook Together Eat Together

Content or Curriculum:  FCS Curriculum

Inputs:  Youth and Adults

Date:  Fall 2022 - Spring 2023




Success Stories

LEAP program

Author: Sonya Carter

Major Program: LEAP

According to the State of Childhood Obesity, Kentucky’s children between the ages of 10-17 have the highest obesity rate in nation with the obesity rate of 23.8%. According to www.countyhealthrankings.org, Hart County adults have an obesity rate of 40%.   The Hart County Extension Family Consumer Science Agent partnered with Hart County School’s Family Resource Youth Service Center Coordinators to provide the Literacy, Eating and Activity for Primary (LEAP) lessons in the school

Full Story

Recipes for Life

Author: Julia Wilson

Major Program: Recipes for Life

The Hart County 4-H Extension Agent collaborated with the 21st Century coordinator at LeGrande Elementary in Hart County offer the Recipes for Life Program to 6 fifth-grade students, 5 sixth grade students, 5 seventh grade students, and 11 eighth grade students.  Three volunteers worked with students in a hands-on educational setting to teach important life skills during 21st Century Afterschool September thru December of 2022. A pre-test/ post­test evaluation was conducted via Qualtric

Full Story

Nutrition in Middle Schools

Author: Sonya Carter

Major Program: Nutrition and Food Systems General

According to the State of Childhood Obesity, Kentucky’s children between the ages of 10-17 have the highest obesity rate in nation with the obesity rate of 23.8%. According to www.countyhealthrankings.org, Hart County adults have an obesity rate of 40%.   The Hart County Extension Family Consumer Science Agent partnered with Hart County School’s Family Resource Youth Service Center Coordinators and school counselors to provide nutrition education in the schools. Teaching our chi

Full Story

Newspaper Recipes

Author: Sonya Carter

Major Program: Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud

Each week the Family and Consumer Science Agent places a Plate It Up proud recipe in the local newspaper. Numerous people approach the FCS agent on a regular basis and discuss the recipes. Comments may be as simple as "I tried that recipe you placed in the newspaper."  Other comments include "That recipe was delicious"  The FCS agents talks with each individual concerning the nutritional value of the recipe and the low cost of maintaining a healthy diet. The newspap

Full Story

Walk and Talk

Author: Sonya Carter

Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General

 According to www.countyhealthrankings.org, Hart County adults have an obesity rate of 40%.   The Hart County Extension Family Consumer Science Agent began promoting a "Walk and Talk" program in a local park to encourage adults and families to become active. The club met weekly through May and June. The program was promoted by reaching out to extension participants, social media posts and simply by talking to people. Various adults participated and enjoyed being physically ac

Full Story
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