Disaster Preparedness in Breathitt County
6. Enhance Life Skills and Build Consumer Awareness
Reed Graham, Ryan Spicer, Stacy Trent
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Civic Engagement
Policy, Systems, and Environmental Changes
Financial Education - General
On July 28 and 29, 2022, in Breathitt County Kentucky, several residents suffered physiological losses from a historical flood. Residents waded flood waters and struggled through feet-deep mud to be rescued. Many were left without a home and a safe way to restore what had been lost.
Meeting the physiological and health/safety needs of residents in Breathitt County was the main goal of Breathitt Extension Agents. County residents expressed their thankfulness for the help during their time of need.
- Number of people who increased profits, reduced expenses, and/or reduced risk
- Better family money management skills, such as reducing debt, increasing savings, and financial planning.
- Increase of environmental changes implemented within communities
- Improved financial capability for Kentuckians, results in better quality of life and stronger families
- Number of volunteers engaged in community service and disaster preparedness projects on a regular basis
- Increase knowledge of disaster preparedness and safety plan development for clientele.
- Number of clients who shared information about agriculture and/or environmental issues with elected officials
- Practice one or more resource management behaviors resulting in increased savings or investments.
- Adopt financial planning strategies for short-, mid-, and long-term goals.
- Number of people - youth and adults - that completed a community-based service project related to community preparedness
- Clientele develop home safety plan in the event of a disaster
- Number of people who increased knowledge of farm health and safety practices
- Increased knowledge and skills related to managing financial resources, including savings, credit, and financial planning.
- Increase financial literacy (knowledge and skills) related to savings and investments.
- Number of people - youth and adults - that indicated they made a lifestyle choice as a result of what they learned through 4-H and other programming
- Increased knowledge of disaster preparedness.
Outcome: Increase knowledge and skills related to farm health and safety practices
Indicator: Number of individuals reporting increased levels of
understanding in the area: farm safety, equipment demonstrations, disaster preparation
Method: Retroactive pre-post
Timeline: Following educational workshops and agricultural events
Outcome: Increased awareness of sound financial behaviors
Indicator(s): Number of individuals who implemented at least one
strategy to reduce expenses or manage money
Number of individuals who made a sound financial decision
(regarding credit, budgeting, savings, and/or debt)
Method: Retroactive pre-post
Timeline: Following financial education workshops
Outcome: Increase knowledge and skills related to preparing/following disaster plans for community/home environments
Indicator: Number of individuals reporting increased levels of
understanding in the area: disaster preparedness plans/environmental changes
Method: Retroactive pre-post
Timeline: Following educational workshops
Outcome: Increased awareness of health and civic engagement opportunities related to disaster preparedness
Indicator(s): Number of individuals who increased knowledge of and participated in civic engagement opportunities related to disaster preparedness
Method: Retroactive pre-post
Timeline: Following educational workshops
Audience: Adults, young adults, and teens
Project or Activity: Farm Safety Day
Content or Curriculum: Publications, safety curriculum
Inputs: ANR Agent, Specialists, Community Partners/Councils
Date: Fall 2024
Audience: Adults, young adults, and teens
Project or Activity: Money Habitudes Workshop
Content or Curriculum: Money Habitudes
Inputs: FCS Agent, curriculum publications and resources,
Date: On-Going/Monthly
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Survive and Thrive: Disaster Preparedness Series
Content or Curriculum: CDC Materials, Housing and Environment Publications
Inputs: FCS Agent, curriculum publications and resources,
Date: Fall, 2024
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Science/Environmental Workshops
Content or Curriculum: 4-H conservation materials, 4-H health curriculum
Inputs: 4-H Agent, curriculum publications and resources,
Date: On-Going/Monthly
Author: Kayla Watts
Major Program: Emergency Disaster Preparedness - FCS
Kentuckians have experienced firsthand how natural disasters can occur any time and often with little warning. Disasters take many forms, and we can feel their impacts across most areas of family life. Because there is no “one-size-fits-all” disaster model, planning community outreach can be challenging, and Cooperative Extension is often involved in disaster preparation and response at the local level. As a result of local needs, the County Extension Agents for Family and Consu
Author: Stacy Trent
Major Program: Emergency Disaster Preparedness - FCS
Kentuckians have experienced firsthand how natural disasters can occur any time and often with little warning. Disasters take many forms, and we can feel their impacts across most areas of family life. Because there is no “one-size-fits-all” disaster model, planning community outreach can be challenging, and Cooperative Extension is often involved in disaster preparation and response at the local level. As a result of local needs, the County Extension Agents for Family and
Author: Reed Graham
Major Program: Emergency Disaster Preparedness
Farming is one of the most dangerous occupations in the world. Where there is a farm, there is always a home nearby. Farm and home safety is often overlooked even though it is a key component to success. Breathitt Co and Wolfe Co ANR and FCS Agents as well as Farm Bureaus collaborated for a joint Safety Program. The Field Day was held at the Hazel Green Park in Wolfe County. Participants had the option to select which track that they would like to complete for the evening. The Farm tr