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:

• the prevention and/or reduction of substance use and its related consequences
• routinely meeting physical activity and dietary recommendations that promote health and wellness
• reduce the rate of chronic disease and obesity
• increased access to healthy food via local farmers market, food retailers and/or home gardens

Intermediate Outcomes:

• generate positive attitudes toward changing lifestyle choices and dietary decisions to be more healthy
• reduce stigma on substance abuse from local community members
• employ healthful cooking methods, feeding practices, and food preservation techniques

Initial Outcomes:

• improve food and nutrition-related skills (i.e. gardening, preparation, and preservation techniques, and safe food handling)
• increase awareness about lifestyle choices and chronic disease
• increased knowledge of substance use prevention, addiction and recovery

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 School Programs

Content or Curriculum: 4-H curriculum

Inputs: 4-H agents, 4-H assistants, 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, Laurel Harvest Project

Date: Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring

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

Inputs: FCS Agent

Date: Summer

Audience: General Public

Project or Activity: Farmers Feast

Content or Curriculum: Plate it Up KY

Inputs: Extension Agents, God's Pantry Food Bank, Farmers Market, Cattlemans Association

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: Quarterly

Audience: Senior Citizens

Project or Activity: Senior Farmer Market Vouchers

Content or Curriculum: UK Extension Pubs

Inputs: FCS Agent, Staff

Date: Summer

Audience: Senior Citizens

Project or Activity: Bingocize

Content or Curriculum: UK Extension Pubs, WKU Bingocize Program

Inputs: FCS Agent

Date: ongoing 

Audience: Youth, General Public 

Project or Activity: Storybook Walk

Content or Curriculum: UK Extension Pubs

Inputs: FCS Agent, Staff, Community Volunteers

Date: Spring

Audience: General Public

Project or Activity: Cooking Through the Calendar

Content or Curriculum: UK Extension Pub

Inputs: FCS Agent, Staff

Date: Monthly

Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: Laugh & Learn

Content or Curriculum: UK Extension Pubs, UK Curriculum

Inputs: FCS Agent, Staff

Date: Monthly

Audience: 4-H Youth

Project or Activity: 4-H Clubs

Content or Curriculum: 4-H curriculum

Inputs: 4-H agents, 4-H assistants, volunteers

Date: Monthly

Success Stories