Healthy Families and Communities
Empowering Healthy Home and Communities
Dora Webb, and Chad Conway
Community Vitality and Leadership -FCS
Faithful Families
Cook Together, Eat Together
Financial Education - General
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.
- 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
- 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
- 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
Observation and the use of pre and post-test results.
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Holiday Showcase
Content or Curriculum: UK Extension Curriculum
Inputs: FCS Agents
Date: November 2022
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Savings Savvy with Grocery List and Coupon Apps
Content or Curriculum: UK Extension Curriculum
Inputs: Agents
Date: On-going
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
Author: Dora Centers
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
Monday August 1st was set for our first county project day after losing our young county fair through COVID. During the early morning on July 28th – the Thursday beforehand- our county along with others in our region was devastated by an unexpected and unforgettable flood. Needless to say, our scheduled project day was not our priority 3 days following. In fact, the morning of August 1st we were experiencing our second flood from additional ra
Author: Dora Centers
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
In a collaborative effort, Knott County 4-H, Knott Co Board of Education, KCCHS, Beaver, Carr Creek, Cordia, Emmalena, Hindman, and Jones Fork Elementary schools through their Family Youth Resource Service Coordinators participated in University of Kentucky’s 2022-23“It’s Your Reality” program. The program focus is financial literacy and life skills Knott County’s 8th grade students participate annually in the event. Our Teen volunteers are essentia
Author: Chadwick Conway
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The majority of families in Knott County rely heavily on raising gardens in order to supplement their food needs throughout the year. The rest, who are unable to garden, depend on the farmers market. Both use the produce, consisting of fruits and vegetables, to preserve and supply food for their families enjoyment and nourishment. During the catastrophic July flood, the extension office received numerous calls about families losing their gardens. Each call was a request to discover if finan
Author: Lorie Adams
Major Program: Flood Relief & Recovery
In July 2022, Knott County was hit by a devastating 1000 year flood. 140 homes were declared a total loss and many others were damaged and needed cleanup. Many residents also lost outside property and many bridges were damaged or destroyed and people were unable to get out to get items they needed to survive. The county had very few stores that were even open to get food or needed supplies. We also had people living in tents in the area who had many unmet needs. The county was also w
Author: Lorie Adams
Major Program: Flood Relief & Recovery
In July 2022, Knott County was hit by a devastating 1000 year flood. 140 homes were declared a total loss and many others were damaged. Many families also lost personal property such as cars and farming equipment. Five months after the flood hit, many families were still living in government provided campers, Others were still recovering from damage to their own homes and loss of property. The holidays were here and that brought new worries for how they would celebrate with limited f