Decision-Making; Physical Activity; Nutrition; Substance Abuse; Safety; Securing Financial StabilityPlan of Work

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Ohio County CES

Title:
Decision-Making; Physical Activity; Nutrition; Substance Abuse; Safety; Securing Financial Stability
MAP:
Making Positive Lifestyle Choices
Agents Involved:
Gary Druin, 4-H Agent; Greg Comer, ANR Agent; Nan Montgomery, FCS Agent
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Active Living and Health Promotions General
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Financial Education - General
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Substance Use Prevention and Recovery General
Situation:

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. The rate in Kentucky increased 90 percent over the last 15 years. Thirty percent of individuals in the Commonwealth report no leisure-time physical activity. Increased consumption of unhealthy food, stress, and built environments that promote physical inactivity are largely responsible for the obesity epidemic. As a result, Kentuckians are dying from heart disease and cancer at higher rates than all Americans ad they have a lower life expectancy, 75.5 years, compared to 78 years for Americans. Our goal is to reverse these trends by working with various organizations, agencies, and groups to promote health and wellness.

Kentucky has the 3rd highest drug overdose mortality rate in the U.S. (HealthyAmerican.org) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found that high school students in Kentucky are above the national average in their lifetime and for current 30 day use of cigarettes, current 30 day use of smokeless tobacco, lifetime inhalant use, and lifetime methamphetamine use (YBRFS, 2009). There is an increased need for awareness of the consequences and resources related to substance abuse.

Healthy living is one of three 4-H Mision mandates and encompasses: physical activity, personal safety, mental health, addiction prevention, and diversity and inclusion.  In Kentucky 37% of youth 10-17 are overweight or obese, and 51% report not exercising regularly.  Twenty-five percent of youth report some form of emotional or behavioral condition and suicide rate are at a record high.  Vaping nearly doubled among middle and high school students with 27% of high school seniors reporting they had tried the product in 2018. 

Long-Term Outcomes:

•Decrease 30 day use of substances among youth

•Increase in the practice and promotion of physical activity and healthy eating daily

•Improvement in the built environment to promote physical activity and healthy eating

*Increased number of youth maintaining postive health habits and at a lower risk for serious disease and illness.

*Reduced number of youth reporting drug, alcohol and tobacco use. 

Intermediate Outcomes:

•Decrease number of youth involved in substance abuse practices

•Practice healthy food choices and strengthen individuals’ ability to build healthy eating plans and patterns

•Practice of physical activity in families and communities and decreased time spent on sedentary behaviors

•Strengthen community coalitions or partnerships to address obesity, physical inactivity and chronic disease

*Increased adoption and mastery of healthy behaviors that lead to a healthy lifestyle. 

Initial Outcomes:

•Students increase knowledge about risks and harm of substance abuse

•Educate parent and community volunteers to help change attitudes towards youth substance abuse

•Increase awareness of services provided for youth/ families to prevent and end substance abuse

•Increase awareness, knowledge, opinions, skills, and attitudes needed to make informed choices regarding:

-Healthy Lifestyle Choices

-Childhood and Youth Obesity

-Adult Weight Management

-Practice and Promotion of Daily Physical Activity

-Reduction of Chronic Disease

*Increase awareness of health concerns for youth and improved awareness about diversity and inclusion

*Improved understanding of the consequences of risk behaviors

Evaluation:

Evaluation:

Long-term Outcome: Decrease number of youth involved in substance abuse practices

Indicator: Decrease number of youth involved in substance abuse practices

Method: Student Pre/Post Test and KIP Data

Timeline: Spring 2023


Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Students increase knowledge about risks and harm of substance abuse

Indicator: Students increase knowledge about risks and harm of substance abuse

Method: Student Pre/Post Test

Timeline: Fall 2022


Intermediate Outcome: Practice healthy food choices and strengthen individuals’ ability to build healthy eating plans and patterns

Indicator: Increase in number of healthy meals prepared at home; Increase in number of healthy lunches prepared for work/ school; Increase number of meals eaten together as a family

Method: Written and Verbal evaluations; Facebook posts by clientele

Timeline: All year


Evaluation:

Long-term Outcome: Participants adapt healthy habits to increase their longevity

Indicator: Homework assignments indicate behavior change regarding the 12 Keys to embrace aging

Method: Post program evaluation

Timeline: April 2023


Evaluation:

Long-term Outcome: Increased number of youth maintaining positive health habits and reducing the number of youth reporting drug, alcohol and tobacco use

Indicator: Number of youth who indicated the practice of positive healthy habits through 4-H, and report a decrease in drug, alcohol and tobacco usage.

Method: 4-H Common Measures Survey, Post-Program Surveys

Timeline: All Year


Learning Opportunities:

Audience: 8th graders

Project or Activity: Truth & Consequences: The Choice Is Yours

Content or Curriculum: Truth & Consequences: The Choice Is Yours

Inputs: FCS Agent, School Officials, District Judge, County Attorney, Defense Attorney, KY State Police, City/ County Law 

Enforcement, Coroner, School Resource Officer, Emergency Medical Treatment, Hospital, Jailer, CDW, Dept. of Juvenile Justice, Board of Ed., Health Dept., Zero Tolerance, Pharmacists, Faith Based members, Counseling/ Treatment, Providers, Parent Volunteers, Ohio County Middle School, Together We Care

Date: Fall 2024


Audience: Perdue Employees 

 Project or Activity: Chronic Disease Prevention 

Content or Curriculum: Publications, Health Bulletins, Cook Together Eat Together, Mastering Food Choices, Dining with Diabetes, Fit Blue, Faithful Families, Body Balance, Plate It Up Kentucky Proud! Kentucky Proud Resources, WIN, Kick Kentucky Cancer, Health Partners, Bingocize, Keys to Embracing Aging. 

Inputs: OC Monitor, Facebook, RN at Perdue, Local restaurants, Family Wellness Center, OC Health Coalition, GRDHD, OC Healthcare.

Date: Fall 2023/Spring 2024


Audience: First time parents

Project or Activity: Celebrate the Baby

Content or Curriculum: Community Baby Shower

Inputs: Adult Ed., Manage Care Providers, Hope for Life, Child Care Award, Homemakers, FCS Agent, Owensboro Health, Ohio County Hospital, American Red Cross, River Valley, Migrant Ed., GRDHD, State Police

Date: October 2023 


Audience: Seniors 

Project or Activity: Bingocise 

Content or Curriculum:  Bingocise Program

Inputs: Senior Adult Education, focus on physical activity, aging and nutrition, Senior Centers

Date: Year-Round  


Audience: Ohio County Adults

Project or Activity: Family and Consumer Sciences lessons on money management 

Content or Curriculum: Money Habitudes 

Inputs: Adult Education, Family Resource coordinators and schools, Library 

Date: Summer 2024


Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: 4-H Food Club/School Clubs

Content or Curriculum: Jump into Food and Fitness, Exercise

Inputs: Extension Staff, Volunteers, Ohio County School Staff

Date: Club meetings – All year


Audience: 7th grade Youth

Project or Activity: 4-H Body Walk

Content or Curriculum: Body Walk – Jump into Fun Food and Fitness, Health Rocks

Inputs: Volunteers, Community Organizations, OC Schools, Extension Staff, Non-profit organizations

Date: March – April 2023


Audience: Adults and Youth

Project or Activity: 4-H Horticulture Club

Content or Curriculum: Vegetable/ Fruit – Nutrition Education

Inputs: Volunteers, Extension Staff

Date: All year


Audience: Adults and Youths

Project or Activity: Youth 4-H Shooting Sports Safety Program

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Shooting Sports

Inputs: Volunteers, Community Leaders, Extension Staff

Date: All year






Success Stories

Community Baby Shower

Author: Nan Montgomery

Major Program: Child Development General

 The Ohio County Cooperative Extension Service hosted a Community Baby Shower for 28 pregnant women and parents of infants up to one year. The Community Baby Shower's goal was to provide families with information on children's health and developmental needs and connect families to appropriate services within the community. Participants visited resource booths and participated in educational sessions led by various community partners on topics such as Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma &a

Full Story

Truth or Consequences: The Choice is Yours

Author: Nan Montgomery

Major Program: Substance Use Prevention and Recovery General

There is a strong need for continued substance abuse prevention and intervention in Ohio County. The number of diverted prescriptions and illegal drugs, overdoses, thefts, arrests, court cases, and medical/financial consequences of drug abuse continue to impact a large number of families in the community negatively. To address the variety of substance abuse issues impacting our community, the Ohio County Cooperative Extension Service partnered with other local agencies to organize Truth or

Full Story

Savor the Flavor

Author: Nan Montgomery

Major Program: Nutrition and Food Systems General

Research shows that people who prepare and cook meals at home are more likely to eat the recommended fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains needed in a balanced diet. Building cooking skills and knowledge increases the likelihood that people choose to prepare homecooked meals.To encourage more home-prepared meals, the Ohio County Extension Office presented the Savor the Flavor series to homemakers and other community members. The Savor the Flavor program focused on various cooking meth

Full Story

4-H Expressive Arts

Author: Gary Druin

Major Program: Communications

4-H Expressive Arts allows youth to be resourceful, imaginative, and learn an array of transferable skills. Having an outlet for expression also has amazing mental health benefits and encourages an atmosphere of mutual respect for other creative areas.Creating art lowers stress.Creating art helps youth focus on a task.Youth Discover a sense of Happiness.Nurtures Emotional Growth by enhancing social developmentEnhance Social and Emotional Benefits for youth. by providing a unique platform for you

Full Story

Understanding Suicide

Author: Nan Montgomery

Major Program: Substance Use and Mental Health - FCS

Suicide is a public health problem and a leading cause of death in the US. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, suicide is the second leading cause of death in people ages 10-34 in Kentucky. However, suicide can be prevented with proper education and community resources. To raise awareness about suicide and mental health, a State Specialist at the University of Kentucky created a lesson on “Understanding Suicide.” This lesson was taught to Ohio County Hom

Full Story
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