Extension
It Starts With Us
Promoting Healthy Homes and Communities
Building Strong Families and Communities
Moses (Fine Arts), Burgard (FCS), Jones (4-H), Prewitt (Horticulture)
Family Development General
Active Living and Health Promotions General
Child Development General
In Whitley County, family life is an extremely important part of a healthy home and family. The decisions that are made during family time can have a tremendous effect on the community as a whole. These decisions can be as simple as recycling, setting a savings goal, or doing something to be physically active together. Family dynamics have changed to where, in some cases, grandparents are raising grandchildren. According to the Kids Count Data Center, 25.9% of children in Whitley County were a part of single-parent families in 2021. Family life should be a safe haven for children. There were 229 of Child Neglect Investigations in Whitley County in 2020 according to the US Census. This is a concern for both the families and communities.
Also, children in school are dealing with bullying issues that effects their social and mental well being. The Extension Service can educate people on the importance of creating a positive household environment and give them the necessary tools to accomplish this, we will be able to see positive behavioral changes in the next generation of Whitley County residents. By encouraging families to participate in arts activities together, Whitley Extension can provide a positive resource for strong, resilient family growth.
Create strong and safe homes within environments that promote and support the physical and mental well-being of families throughout the life cycle
Improve the family environment that promotes an increase active and healthy lifestyles
Intermediate Outcomes:
Implement one or more practices that will improve:
· Disaster preparedness
· Pest management
· Going green
· Home Safety
· Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices
· Healthy Aging
· Parenting skills
Resiliancy in children
Assess the cost savings and/or benefits associated with newly adopted practices related to:
· Disaster preparedness
· Pest management
· Going green
· Home safety
· Making Healthy Lifestyle and Food Choices
· Healthy Aging
· Parenting Skills
Demonstrate skills to improve:
· Disaster preparedness
· Pest management
· Going green
· Home safety
· Money Management
· Making Healthy Lifestyle and Food Choices
· Healthy Aging
· Parenting Skills
Participate in an activity or event that improves building stronger families.
Initial Outcome:
Change knowledge, opinions, skills, and/or aspirations in understanding of issues related to:
· Disaster preparedness
· Pest management
· Going green
· Home safety
· Money Management
· Making Healthy Lifestyle and Food Choices
· Healthy Aging
· Parenting Skills
Identify one or more practices that will improve:
· Disaster preparedness
· Pest management
· Going green
· Home safety
· Money Management
· Making Healthy Lifestyle and Food Choices
· Healthy Aging
· Parenting Skills
Long Term Outcome: Create strong and safe homes within environments that promote and support the physical and mental well being of families throughout the life cycle.
Indicator: Number of individuals who implement the practice of positive physical and mental activities in their lifestyle.
Method: Pre/Post Written evaluation. Change in the health/disease data from Kentucky County Healthcare Profile (CEDIK).
Timeline: 5-8 Years
Intermediate Evaluation:
Outcome: Demonstration of skills that would improve family issues relating to Money Management, Aging, Parenting, etc.
Indicator: Number of families attending classes related to family issues and communicating understanding of topic.
Method: Pre/Post Written Evaluations, Attendance Sheets
Timeline: 2-3 years
Initial Outcome Evaluation:
Outcome: Families identify practices that will improve health and well being of both them as individuals and as a family.
Indicator: Number of families and individuals who respond to classes offered to help implement positive lifestyle changes.
Method: Pre/Post Written Evaluation, Oral Evaluations
Timeline: Immediate at delivery of program
Audience: grade school youth
Project or Activity: Bullying Awareness
Content or Curriculum: Mindful Me, Anti-Bulling,
Inputs: Whitley County Health Department, agents
Date: Cloverbud Day Camp, School Enrichment Programs, Teen Club,
Audience: Whitley County Residents
Project or Activity: NEP Programs (in-person and online classes)
Content or Curriculum: Healthy Body for Everybody NEP Curriculum
Inputs: FCS Agent, NEP Assistant(s)
Date: 2020-2024
Audience: Whitley County Residents
Project or Activity: Disaster Preparedness Workshop
Content or Curriculum: "In The Face of Disaster" agent publications, "Focus on the Home: Disaster Preparedness" curriculum
Inputs: FCS AgentDate: Fall 2024
Audience: Pre-K Children and their Caregivers
Project or Activity: Laugh and Learn Classes
Content or Curriculum: Laugh and Learn curriculum
Inputs: FCS Agent
Date: Monthly 2023 - 2024
Audience: Whitley County Area Seniors
Project or Activity: Bingocize - Fall Prevention
Content or Curriculum: Bingocize curriculum
Inputs: FCS Agent
Date: March & April 2024
Audience: Whitley County Families
Project or Activity: After School Art Classes
Content or Curriculum: Extension Fine Arts
Inputs: Fine Arts Agent, Artists, 21st Century, Corbin Schools, WISD, Whitley County School
Date: 2022-2024 Fall/Spring school semester
Audience: WIC voucher participants
Project or Activity: Mobile Farmer's Market
Content or Curriculum: Set up a Mobile Farmer's Market at Health Departments on days that vouchers are issued to ensure great redemption rates and get healthy food to people in the community
Inputs: Whitley County Health Department; Horticulture, Fine Arts, Family and Consumer Science, and Agriculture and Natural Resources Agents, WIC Vouchers, Kentucky Division of Public Health
Date: yearly
Audience: General Public/Families
Project or Activity: Earth Day Celebration
Content or Curriculum: UK publication, Fine Arts, KSU, SNAP, NASA, 4-H, Horticulture, Agriculture, FCS
Inputs: Community Arts Agent, Agents, Volunteers, Soil Conservation Service, Adult Education Service, Save the Children, Local Recycling organizations, schools, City Government, Farmers Market, EFNEP, Whitley County Health Department, Whitley County Bee Keepers Association, WC Master Gardeners, KY Reptile Zoo, Kentucky Department of Forestry, US Forest Service
Date: April 22 Yearly
Author: Lisa Jones
Major Program: Civic Engagement
Whitley County is about to create a community that will come together to fix a big problem in education. They see that young people often don't know important life skills they need to succeed. Whitley County 4-H is taking charge by working with local teachers to plan a Life Smarts Series. These lessons will be created to help middle and high school youth learn practical things to handle life's challenges.This program is going to change how schools teach by bringing in fun lessons. T
Author: Lisa Jones
Major Program: Civic Engagement
Whitley County 4-H has begun implementing the Life Smart Series for the senior high school class at Williamsburg City School. A growing problem among our young youth today is the importance of life skills. We have just completed a 6-week session with 53 high school students. Youth learned how to grocery shop on a budget, prepare meals for two and introduction kitchen cooking. 4-H's motto is "Learn by Doing," and we did just that. We brought in fun and engaging activities that
