Clinton County CES

Title:

Strengthening Families & Enhancing Lifestyle Choices

MAP:

Individual and Family Development

Agents Involved:

Stearns & Duvall

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Family Development General

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Economic Development and Workforce Preparation – 4-H Youth Development

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Family and Consumer Science

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Substance Use and Mental Health - FCS

Situation:

Adults in our community lack the education, life, and workforce skills necessary to holding good jobs and creating healthy and stable foundations for families. An estimated 25.7% of the residents live in Clinton County below the poverty level and the median household income in 2018 was $31,115 (U.S.Census QuickFacts). Furthermore, U.S. Census Quick Facts documents that 73.1% of Clinton County residents graduate from high school while only 10.1% have a Bachelor’s degree or higher. Additionally, the 2020 County Health Rankings reveal a 5.5% unemployment rate for our community along with 8% of the population under age 65 being uninsured. Currently, 22.5% of the population is under age 18. When you look at our youngest citizens, kindergarten readiness results continue to show that children in our community fall below state averages for the past several years in academic, language, and physical development as well as social-emotional/self-help development. Data from the 2019 Early Childhood Profile indicates that only 42.7% of children in Clinton County are ready to enter kindergarten. When you look at the other end of the spectrum, as baby boomers are entering retirement, between 2010 and 2025 the population ages 65 and over in Clinton County are projected to increase by 22.7% (KY By the Numbers, Clinton County Data Profile). 

Furthermore, 2019 Community Assessment results indicated the following prioritized issues in the Youth and Families category: more youth life skills training (money management, life decision making, etc.); more support for prevention of school violence and bullying; and better family skills in reducing debt, increasing savings and financial planning. Respondents also prioritized more jobs paying good wages and benefits in the community assessment which is subsequent to work in this area along with continued collaboration and partnerships with stakeholders. 

Long-Term Outcomes:

Families are able to:

• Care for the physical and mental health and well-being of each individual over the long term
• Foster the optimal development of children and youth
• Practice parental leadership skills
• Access community resources when needed
• Improved family money management skills such as reduced debt, increased savings and financial planning
• More effective community leaders and employees
• Increased number of children who are kindergarten and school ready

Intermediate Outcomes:

The number of people who:

• Set and used family rules, routines and limited screen time
• Reduced stress levels, made time for selves, and/or made wise decisions about money, time, etc.
• Practice skills to strengthen and sustain relationships
• Accessed community agencies and resources when needed
• Engaged in community outreach activities 
• Practice one or more resource management behaviors resulting in increased savings or investment
• Increased opportunities and access to more preschool learning activities outside the home
• Increase number of learning activities experienced at home
• Address mental health needs
• Prepare for caregiving 
• Practice better employee “soft/essential skills” such as communication, networking, teamwork, time management, problem solving, etc. 
• Improved employability through practical living skills and continued education practices 

Initial Outcomes:

The number of people who:

• Commits to set family rules regarding eating together, limiting screen time, active play and exercise, set routines
• Intends to manage stress; make time for self; listen, talk, bond with family members; read with child daily; teach responsibility in use of money, time, etc.
• Understand the importance of developmentally appropriate play to their child’s academic success
• Increase awareness of key points of adolescent development
• Increase knowledge and skills related to managing financial resources, including savings, credit, and financial planning
• Improve employability through work and practical living skills and continued education practices.
• Learn that caregiver preparation is important
• Learn how to make healthy lifestyle choices 

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Participants will set family rules/routines and learn concepts related to discipline and punishment. They will also learn how to use preventive and positive discipline techniques. Individuals will learn normal changes related to aging and how to adapt healthy lifestyles. Individuals will demonstrate increased knowledge of soft/essential skills. Increased awareness of sound financial behaviors. 

Indicator: Individuals will identify concepts learned and discuss positive changes implemented in families. Number of individuals reporting increased levels of understanding of soft/essential skills. Number of individuals who implemented at least one strategy to reduce expenses or save money.

Method: Pre/Post Evaluations and self-report

Timeline: Following programs

Intermediate Outcome: Participants will utilize family routines and rules and practice skills to enhance relationships. They will report using preventive and positive discipline techniques in response to misbehavior. Individuals will adapt healthy lifestyles related to aging and longevity. Individuals will practice improved workforce communication and networking skills. Number of individuals who implemented at least one strategy to reduce expenses or save money.

Indicator: Family members will report strategies implemented and changes in individuals and family dynamics and behaviors. Number of individuals who practice improved workforce skills and/or sound financial decision-making skills. 

Method: Evaluations/self-reports and follow-up surveys

Timeline: Following programs

Long-term Outcome: Family members will build personal strengths and self-control, interpersonal communication, and life skills. They will also implement positive coping skills and stress management techniques.

Indicator: Members will deal with stressful situations in a positive manner by using skills learned and will indicate a decrease in the number negative outbursts and conflicts within the family unit.

Method: Program pre/post evaluations and self-report/follow-up evaluations

Timeline: Beginning and end of program and follow-up surveys

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: General Public

Project or Activity: Media (news articles, newsletters, radio spots, social media)

Content or Curriculum: Exclusives, FCS Agent News Releases, publications, etc.

Inputs: KY CES Publications and Resources, Extension Specialists, eXtension, USDA, CDC, etc.

Date: Monthly July 2023-June 2024

 

Audience: Families with Young Children

Project or Activity: Anchors & Paws Community Early Childhood Council (write grant and coordinate implementation of grant activities for combined 3 county council-Clinton, Cumberland, & Russell)

Content or Curriculum: Dolly Parton Imagination Library, LEAP, FCS Extension curricula, NAEYC, eXtension, etc.

Inputs: Governor's Office of Early Childhood and grant funds, FRYSC, Council Members, Community Partners, Schools, etc.

Date: 2023-2024

 

Audience: General Public

Project or Activity: Financial Management

Content or Curriculum: Money Habitudes, Good Credit Game, Real Skills for Everyday Life, various Extension publications, money smart curriculum and investment workshops, etc.

Inputs: Local banks, high school FCS department, community partners, Extension staff and resources

Date: 2023-2024

 

Audience: Older Adults

Project or Activity: Safe & Defensive Driver Education

Content or Curriculum: KY State Police and AARP

Inputs: Kentucky State Police, AARP, Retired Teachers Association, community partners, media

Date: TBD

 

Audience: Grandparents and Other Relatives Raising Children

Project or Activity: KINnections (Relatives Raising Children) Program-PASTA 

Content or Curriculum: PASTA, FCS publications, curriculum, etc.

Inputs: FRYSC, schools, churches, community partners

Date: 2023-2024

 

Audience: High School Students

Project or Activity: Adulting 101

Content or Curriculum: FCS publications

Inputs: Extension Staff, Homemakers, volunteers, schools, etc.

Date: TBD

 

Audience: Youth and Adults

Project or Activity: Personal Enrichment & Life Skills Programs

Content or Curriculum: FCS publications, local resources, etc.

Inputs: Extension Homemakers, volunteers, churches, Extension Staff, schools

Date: TBD

 

Audience: Extension Homemakers/General Public

Project or Activity: Homemaker Leader Lesson Trainings/Community Workshops (specific topics TBA)

Content or Curriculum: KEHA approved lessons, FCS publications, agent developed materials

Inputs: Extension Staff, Homemakers, volunteers, churches, etc.

Date: August 2023-May 2024

 

Audience: Clinton County Families

Project or Activity: Parent Education & Family Enrichment

Content or Curriculum: Nurturing Parenting, Home is Where the Health Is, FCS publications, NEP materials, etc.

Inputs: DCBS, Adanta, schools, FRYSC, etc.

Date: 2023-2024 

 

Audience: Youth and Adults

Project or Activity: Positive Employability/Career Development Programs

Content or Curriculum: Positive Employability 

Inputs: Chamber, local businesses, schools, local government, volunteers, Area Technology Center, career coaches

Date: 2023-2024

 

Audience: Early Childhood age students and families

Project or Activity: Laugh & Learn/Ready

Content or Curriculum: Laugh & Learn/various Extension curricula appropriate for age group

Inputs: Early Childhood Center, FRYSC, 21st Century, churches, etc.

Date: Monthly 

 

Audience: All ages

Project or Activity: Bingocize 

Content or curriculum: Bingocize

Inputs: Health Coalition, Nursing Home, Senior Center, Extension Homemakers

Date: Fall 2023 & Spring 2024 

Success Stories