Hopkins County CES

Title:

Improving Basic Lifeskills, Well-being, and Quality of Life

MAP:

Strengthening Community Lifeskills

Agents Involved:

Connor Cooper, Erika Wood, Amanda Dame, Sydney Perkins, and Jay Stone

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Active Living and Health Promotions General

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Agriculture & Natural Resources

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Active Living and Health Promotions General

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Communications

Situation:

According to CEDIK statistics, in Hopkins County, 17% live below the poverty line, 28% of adults report only fair or poor overall health, and 39% of the total population is considered obese. Regarding education, only 6% male and 8% female of Hopkins County residents hold a Bachelor's degree or higher, 85% hold a high school diploma or GED, and the average household income falls behind the national average by almost $14,000 annually. As a result of the demographic data, and availability of Extension resources and programming, the County Extension Council and Area Program Councils recommend that children and families in Hopkins County are in need of life-skill education, including the knowledge and skills to lead a healthy lifestyle, communicate effectively, and manage household resources.

Long-Term Outcomes:

A decrease in the number of obese and overweight children, youth, adults and elderly

Improvement in the overall health and wellbeing of residents, which indicate quality of life.

Increase in adults and families living above the poverty line.

Increase in education and workforce placements.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Maintain appropriate calorie balance and activity level during each stage of life: childhood, adolescence, adulthood, pregnancy and breastfeeding and older age.

Practice healthy lifestyle decision-making that strengthen individuals’ ability to cope with normal life stressors.

Increased practice of skills that increase employability and educational attainment.

Initial Outcomes:

Change in knowledge needed to make informed choices regarding healthy lifestyle choices and basic life skills.

Change in opinions and attitudes needed to make informed choices regarding healthy lifestyle choices and basic life skills.

Change in learned skills needed to make informed choices regarding healthy lifestyle choices and basic life skills.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Change in knowledge needed to make informed choices regarding healthy lifestyle choices and basic life skills.

Indicator: increased knowledge of healthy choices and life skills

Method: pre-test/post-test, surveys, NEERS data

Initial Outcome: Change in learned skills needed to make informed choices regarding healthy lifestyle choices and basic life skills.

Indicator: increased skills that facilitate healthy choices and life skills

Method: pre-test/post-test, surveys, NEERS data

Intermediate Outcome: Increased practice of skills that increase employability and educational attainment.

Indicator: surveys, use of local resources including employment workshops and programs

Method: pre-test post test data, surveys of use of local resources

Intermediate Outcome: Practice healthy lifestyle decision-making that strengthen individuals’ ability to cope with normal life stressors.

Indicator: surveys, NEERS data, use of local resources, including mental health

Method: pre-test post test data, surveys of use of facilities

Intermediate Outcome: Maintain appropriate calorie balance and activity level during each stage of life: childhood, adolescence, adulthood, pregnancy and breastfeeding and older age.

Indicator: surveys, use of local recreational facilities

Method: pre-test post test data, surveys of use of facilities

Long-term Outcome: A decrease in the number of obese and overweight children, youth, adults and elderly.

Indicator: CDC and CEDIK data on population weight distribution

Method: data comparison over years

Long-term Outcome: Increase in adults and families living above the poverty line.

Indicator: CEDIK data of household income and poverty statistics

Method: data comparison over years

Long-term Outcome: Increase in education and workforce placements.

Indicator: CEDIK data of employment statistics and educational attainment

Method: data comparison over years

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Producers, Business Owners, and Future Clients

Project or Activity: Budget, Management, Mental Wellbeing and Workforce Preparedness 

Content or Curriculum: Moneywise, FarmStart, Consumer In Me, Mini-Society and other content based programming.

Inputs: Extension Agents, Specialists, Community leaders, and Extension publications.

Time Frame: Spring

Audience: Teens and Families

Project or Activity: Suicide Prevention Coalition, Walking Challenge, Cooking Lessons, Gardening and Your Health

Content or Curriculum: UK Healthcare specialists, Cooking 101-401, Learn Grow Eat Go

Inputs: Health Dept., community partners, school system, faith-based communities, UK Specialist

Time Frame: Spring, Summer and Fall

Audience: Youth, Families and Individuals

Project or Activity: 4-H Pinterest Club, Babysitting Program, Softskills Tips and Tricks, Professional Etiquette for Everyone, Mindfulness, Addiction 101

Content or Curriculum: UK publications and Extension information, Communications Curriculum, Mini-Society, Homemaker Lesson, Training for healthcare & social work professionals

Inputs: Extension agent, UK publications and Extension information, community volunteers

Time Frame: All Year

Audience: Hopkins County Homemakers

Project or Activity: Homemaker lessons, local, area, and state-wide KEHA activities

Content or Curriculum: KEHA curriculum, area Homemaker monthly lessons

Inputs: KEHA curriculum, UK specialists and curriculum

Time Frame: All Year

Success Stories