Extension
It Starts With Us
Improving Physical, Health and Mental Well-Being--2020
Health and Wellness
Nanette Banks, Crystal Smith, Shad Baker
Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud
Food Preparation and Preservation
Health
Leadership
The obesity epidemic threatens the quality and years of life of Kentuckians. Obese individuals are at increased risk for many chronic health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some types of cancers. Census figures show that 30.5% of the county’s population is living in poverty and 38% of the total population is obese. Citizens need information to help them live enriched lives through better nutrition and more physical activity, focusing on a foundation of overall direct health education to increase health literacy, improve mental health and ability to make healthy lifestyle choices, including creating spaces or opportunities for active living behaviors and preparing for disasters.
Letcher County families and youth enjoy better health through accessing and eating more nutritious foods, getting enough exercise and having lower doctor bills as a result.
A decrease in the number of obese and overweight youth and adults
Increase in the practice and promotion of physical activity, healthy eating daily and improved mental health.
Improve food management skills and healthy eating habits
Improved mental health
Improved preparations for disasters
Practice healthy food choices and strengthen individuals' abilities to build healthy eating plans and patterns.
Practice of physical activity in families and communities and decrease time spent on sedentary behaviors.
Decrease tobacco/substance use.
Strengthen community coalitions or partnerships to address obesity and physical inactivity.
Plant, harvest and preserve produce.
Improved food preparation skills, food management skills, food safety and healthy eating habits.
72-Hour Disaster Kit preparation will be implemented
Increase awareness about nutritious low cost foods for families
Increase knowledge of safety equipment and proper use
Increase awareness of effects of drugs
teach the skills for individuals to properly increase physical fitnessIncrease awareness about disaster kits and emergency supplies
Outcome: Nutrition knowledge and dietary intake
Indicator: Number of individuals who reported: eating 4-6 servings of fruits and/or vegetables daily; utilize the food label to make healthy food choices; choosing smaller portions.
Method: Self report surveys
Timeline: Pre-post implementing curricula or program
Outcome: Physical activity knowledge, skills, and competencies
Indicator: Number of individuals who reported: knowledge and skills gained about the benefits of physical activity; adoption of physical activity practices; increase in physical activity levels.
Method: Self-report surveys
Timeline: Pre-post implementing curricula or program
Outcome: Substance use
Indicator: Number of individuals who reported: knowledge and skills of the resources that are available for substance use in the community as a result of Extension programming.
Method: Self-report surveys
Timeline: Pre-post implementing curricula or program
Outcome: Chronic disease prevention
Indicator: Number of individuals who reported: participants who had one or more health indicator (cholesterol, blood pressure, body mass index, blood glucose) improved.
Method: Self-report surveys
Timeline: Pre-post implementing curricula or program
Outcome: Access to healthy lifestyles
Indicator: Number of communities, health coalitions, or organizations who reported: implemented policy, system, and/or environmental changes to promote healthy eating and active living.
Method: Self-report surveys
Timeline: Pre-post implementing curricula or program
Outcome: Prepared for Disasters
Indicator: Number of families reporting being prepared with 72-Hours of food, water, medicine, etc.
Method: Self-Report Surveys
Timeline: Pre-Post implementing curricula or program
Learning Opportunities
Audience: Adults, Homemakers, youth, community members, seniors
Project or Activity: Fit Blue Walking Program, Bingocize
Content or Curriculum: FCS curriculum
Inputs: FCS agent and assistant
Date: Fall 2023
Project or Activity: Super Star Chef
Content or Curriculum: Super Star Chef curriculum
Inputs: FCS and 4H agents and assistants
Date: Summer 2023
Project or Activity: Senior's Nutrition Series
Content or Curriculum: FCS and NEP curriculum
Inputs: FCS agent and assistant, Senior Citizens
Date: Monthly
Project or Activity: Healthy Choices
Content or Curriculum: FCS and NEP curriculum
Inputs: FCS agent and assistant, KRCC Wellness, KRCC Solutions, and East Ky Support Services
Date: Monthly
Project or Activity: Cooking Thru the Calendar
Content or Curriculum: 2022 NEP Calendar and FCS Curriculum
Inputs: FCS agent and assistant
Date: Monthly
Project or Activity: 4-H Cooking Club
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum
Inputs: 4-H agent and assistant
Date: Monthly, Fall 2023
Project or Activity: Food Preservation
Content or Curriculum: FCS curriculum and 4H curriculum
Inputs: FCS and 4H agents and assistants
Date: Fall 2023
Project or Activity: Safety Days
Content or Curriculum: 4H curriculum
Inputs: 4H, ANR, FCS agents, assistants and staff
Date: Fall 2023
Project or Activity: 4H Teen Club
Content or Curriculum: 4H Curriculum
Inputs: 4H agent and assistant
Date: Bi-Monthly
Project or Activity: Sewing Classes
Content or Curriculum: FCS and 4H curriculums
Inputs: FCS and 4H agents, MCV, and assistants
Date: Monthly
Project or Activity: Cook Together, Eat Together
Content or Curriculum: FCS curriculums
Inputs: FCS Agent and assistant
Date: Spring 2024
Project or Activity: 4-H Global Food
Content or Curriculum: 4H backpack adventure curriculum
Inputs: 4H agents and assistant
Date: Summer-Fall 2023
Project or Activity: Disaster Prep Series
Content or Curriculum: EDEN, FCS & 4-H materials
Inputs: ANR, FCS, & 4-H Agents
Date: Fall/Winter 2023 & 2024
Author: Nanette Banks
Major Program: Food Preparation and Preservation
Increased interest in eating locally grown produce has led to renewed popularity of home food preservation. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention home canning is an excellent way to preserve garden produce and share it with family and friends. But it can be risky- even deadly- if not done correctly and safely. Home-canned vegetables are the most common cause of botulism outbreaks in the United States. In an effort to assist local families with safe
Author: Crystal Smith
Major Program: Substance Use and Mental Health – 4-H Youth Development
The mental health in youth and young adults has been an unspeakable topic for years until of recent many in Eastern Kentucky. The past several years for the youth, young adults, and basically everyone in Eastern Kentucky has been very hard and trying to maintain a normal life. Adolescence and youth have daily struggles when things are not as confusing in the world of dealing with a pandemic and a natural disaster. In 4-H we have a great working relationship in our county schools wit
Author: Nanette Banks
Major Program: Food Preparation and Preservation
The most recent KY by the Numbers report states, a median household income for families in Letcher County is $32,635. Letcher County is also one of many counties in Kentucky dealing with a high precedence of chronic diseases such as heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and cancer. Research has shown there is a natural link between nutrition and making behavior changes that lead to healthier lifestyle choices. The Letcher County Family & Consumer Sciences Agent has been holding
Author: Nanette Banks
Major Program: Financial Education - General
The Problem: In the Quicksand Area, many families struggled with financial strain during the holiday season. The pressure to host elaborate meals and decorate homes often led to overspending and/or exacerbating financial stress for already vulnerable households.The Educational Program Response: To address this issue, the Quicksand Area Agents developed the Holiday Road Show-Planning Holiday Meals and Gifts on a Thrifty Budget, a comprehensive educational program aimed at helping families plan bu
Author: Nanette Banks
Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General
Food is a significant piece of culture. Many countries around the world offer guidance for foods and lifestyle habits to promote health. While the local or preferred foods may be different, the general food-based dietary guidance and goals to promote health around the globe are quite similar.Eighty-three people attended a "Healthy Eating Around the Globe" workshop taught by the Letcher County FCS agent in February 2024. This program provided a wonderful opportunity to learn about cultu
Author: Nanette Banks
Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General
Bingocize® was created by Dr. Jason Crandall, Co-Director/Co-Founder at the WKU Center for Applied Science in Health & Aging. He created the socially engaging group-based game that combines health education and exercise in the format of BINGO. Dr. Crandall and his research team have tested the program and demonstrated that over 90% of older adults who played two times a week for 10 weeks significantly improved physical, social and mental health. To help participants learn and use he
