Leslie County CES

County Emphasis:

Embracing a Healthy Lifestyle

Concentration 1:

Health and Wellbeing

Concentration 2:

Mental Health and Well-Being

Situation:

Health and Wellbeing The opportunities and resources available to support the health and well-being of adults and families in Kentucky vary widely. Disparities in health-promoting knowledge, resources, and infrastructure contribute to higher rates of chronic health conditions and lower quality of life. Prevention, early detection, and care are essential to maintain and/or improve quality of life. Yet, this burden is often placed on individuals to navigate the healthcare system and traditional public health entities. Additionally, for decades, little attention has been given to the external factors that undoubtedly affect health such as access to care, education, nutritious foods, and safe physical spaces. These same issues and concerns were echoed throughout the 2023 UK Cooperative Extension Community Assessment. Within the top 15 priority issues identified by Kentuckians, “ensuring individuals and families have access to affordable nutritious foods” was #4 and “reducing youth obesity through nutrition education and/or exercise” was #8. Guided by the Cooperative Extension’s National Framework for Health Equity and Wellbeing, UK Extension aims to become a critical public health partner for addressing disparities in health-promoting knowledge, resources, and infrastructure through comprehensive health, nutrition, and wellness programming that supports adult physical health and well-being. Youth Focus: Thriving youth are healthy, productive, and engaged (Arnold, 2024). According to Kentucky Kids Count Database (AECF, 2023) 41% of Kentucky teenagers are obese or overweight. Youth are also experiencing alarming levels of negativity about themselves, their confidence in the future, and their ability to find contentment in life (McKinsey & Company, 2022). 30% of youth are chronically absent (United States Department of Education, 2024). The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service Needs Assessment (2024) identified key priorities issues related to health and wellbeing as need for improved access to mental health and wellbeing resources, reducing youth obesity through nutrition education and/or exercise, minimizing bullying and/or school violence. To address these issues, Kentucky 4-H creates opportunities for youth in the five domains of physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and intellectual health and wellbeing.

Mental Health and Well-Being More than ever before, people are feeling the burden of stress on their wellbeing. More than 1 in 5 adults in the United States lives with a mental illness; in Kentucky, 43% of adults report signs or symptoms of anxiety or depression across their lifespan. At the same time, suicide is a leading cause of preventable death in Kentucky for individuals aged 10-34, and those over the age of 59. Concern over the state of mental health and access to care was echoed in the Cooperative Extension Community Needs Assessment, where respondents listed “improved access to mental health and wellbeing resources” as one of the top 6 priority issues. Kentuckians are aware of their need for knowledge and skills to recognize and respond to a mental health challenge, whether it be their own or to help someone else, and the ability to advocate for more mental health resources in all areas of the state. Cooperative Extension is poised with the research and evidence-based resources needed to serve as a beacon of hope in times of distress through our ability to help overcome stigma, connect people to care, and amplify the voices of many to advocate for better quality of life for all. Youth Focus: Kentucky’s youth population deserves safe and nurturing environments that foster their growth and wellbeing. Unfortunately, mental health challenges affect a significant portion of our youth, with 17% of those aged 6-17 experiencing mental health disorders, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (2023), and only 50% receiving treatment. The impact is profound, with one person in the U.S. dying by suicide every 11 minutes, and in Kentucky alone, 800 lives were lost to suicide in 2022. Recognizing the urgency, the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service’s 2019 and 2023 statewide programming issue surveys highlighted mental health and wellbeing as priority areas. Nationally, 45% of 4-H participants reported high stress in a 2023 survey by 4-H.org. The University of Kentucky Community Needs Assessment (2023) indicates priorities of improve access to mental health and wellbeing resources, minimizing bullying and/or school violence, stronger parenting and relationship-building skills, and social, emotional, and/or behavioral education for adults working with youth. To address these concerns, the 4-H Program provides evidence-based educational programs focused on positive mental health and self-care, aiming to empower youth with decision-making and critical thinking skills, fostering resilience and overall wellbeing. By emphasizing mental health and offering targeted educational initiatives, we can create a brighter future for Kentucky’s youth and communities. 

County Situation:

In Leslie County, the need to embrace a healthy lifestyle is evident as families continue to face significant barriers to nutrition, physical activity, and mental wellness. Disparities in access to nutritious food, quality healthcare, mental health services, and safe recreational areas are major contributors to the county’s chronic health issues and lower quality of life—concerns echoed in the 2023 University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Community Needs Assessment, where “access to affordable nutritious food” and “reducing youth obesity” ranked among the top 10 community priorities (UK CES, 2023). Compounding these issues, Kentucky reports that 43% of adults experience symptoms of anxiety or depression, while mental illness affects over 1 in 5 people nationwide, and suicide remains a leading cause of death among Kentuckians aged 10 to 34 (National Alliance on Mental Illness, 2023; U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 2024). Meanwhile, 41% of Kentucky teens are overweight or obese, and youth mental health is increasingly under strain, with 17% of youth ages 6–17 diagnosed with a mental health disorder and only half receiving treatment (AECF, 2023; NAMI, 2023). These issues are often worsened by a lack of support systems, with 30% of Kentucky youth chronically absent from school and many experiencing low confidence and poor outlooks on the future (McKinsey & Company, 2022; U.S. Department of Education, 2024). To respond, the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service, guided by its National Framework for Health Equity and Wellbeing, is expanding evidence-based programs to address these overlapping concerns—ranging from nutrition education and physical activity promotion to stress management and social-emotional learning. The 4-H program plays a vital role by fostering health and wellness in all five domains—physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and intellectual—through projects that teach decision-making, resilience, and self-care skills (Arnold, 2024). By building life skills in youth and wellness capacity in adults, Extension programs help strengthen parenting, reduce stigma around mental health, minimize bullying, and create healthier, more connected communities throughout Leslie County.

Long-Term Outcomes:

- Improved quality of life

- Youth will increase contributions to their communities through applying critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication learning in the 4-H Health and Well-Being Core Content Area.

Intermediate Outcomes:

- Increased health-promoting behaviors that support family, community, and occupational health and safety

- Increased self-reflection and exploration of personal values and beliefs related to health and well-being among 4-Hers.

Initial Outcomes:

-  Health promoting behaviors include but are not to, regular physical activity, safe preparation and consumption of nutritious foods, vaccinations, moderate or no consumption of alcohol, avoiding/reducing/eliminating tobacco use, health screenings, sleep, stress management, health literacy, pest prevention/reduction/management, and occupational safety.

- Increased knowledge and awareness of healthy habits and practices among 4-Hers.  

Evaluation:

Outcome: Increased knowledge about health-promoting behaviors (e.g., how to prepare nutritious foods, benefits of routine vaccinations/screenings) (initial)

Indicator: Number of participants who reported/demonstrates improved knowledge, skills, opinions, or confidence regarding a health-promoting behavior as a result of a participating in a health and well-being program

Method: Observation by Agent or self-reported surveys

Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration 

Outcome: Increased health-promoting behaviors that support family and community health (e.g., physical activity, consuming nutritious foods, routine vaccinations and screenings) (intermediate)

Indicator: 

Number of physical activity minutes recorded by a participant

Number of participants who reported consuming more nutritious foods and/or beverages

Number of participants who reported a change in a health-promoting behavior as a result of participating in a health and well-being program

Method: Self-reported surveys

Timeline: Repeated self-reported surveys and/or follow-up evaluations to capture change over time

Learning Opportunities:

Embracing a Healthy Lifestyle: Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Mental Well-Being

Audience: Youth (Ages 9-14)

Project or Activity: NEP Super Star Chef

Content or Curriculum: NEP Curriculum

Inputs: FCS Agent; Extension Staff and volunteers;  NEP office

Date: July 2025 & 2026

Audience: Adults/Families

Project or Activity:  Cooking Workshops, Cooking Through the Calendar

Content or Curriculum: Plate It Up Kentucky Proud; NEP Calendar Recipes and Resources, Plan Eat Move

Inputs: FCS Agent; Extension staff & volunteers, Community Partners

Date: July 2025-June 2026 (held monthly)

Audience: Adults, Families and Community

Project or Activity: Keep Moving, Leslie County Activity, Goal Setting and Health Programs

Content or Curriculum: FitBlue KY, PLAN EAT MOVE, FCS Curriculum and publications,  Exercise/Activity and Health Programs

Inputs: FCS Agent; Extension staff, volunteers, partnerships/healthcare professionals

Date: July 2025-June 2026

Audience: Adults, Families, Community with a focus on  Diabetic and Aging population

Project or Activity: Diabetes Support Group & Healthy Living with Diabetes

Content or Curriculum: FCS Curriculum, Plan Eat Move recipes, Healthcare Education

Inputs: FCS Agent; UK Specialists, Extension staff, volunteers, partners and healthcare professionals

Date: July 2025-June 2026  ( held monthly)

Audience: Adults, Homemakers, Community, Families and Youth

Project or Activity: Container Gardening/ Community Gardening

Content or Curriculum: NEP, FCS and ANR current materials and resources

Inputs:  FCS Agent; ANR Agent, Extension staff  and volunteers

Date: Spring/Summer/Fall 2025-2026

Audience: Youth (Ages 9-18)

Project or Activity: 4-H Beginning and Advanced Cooking Academies

Content or Curriculum: 4-H FCS Curriculum, Cooking 101-401

Inputs: 4-H Agent; FCS Agent; Extension Staff and  Volunteers

Date: Summer 2025 and 2026

Audience: Youth (Ages 9-18)

Project or Activity: Summer Youth Project Days

Content or Curriculum: FCS and 4-H Curriculum, 4-H Arts Curriculum, Kentucky State Fair 4-H Catalog

Inputs: 4-H Agent; FCS Agent; ANR Agent; Extension staff; Extension homemakers and volunteers

Date: Summer 2025 and 2026

Audience:  Youth (K-3rd Grade)

Project or Activity:  4-H Cloverbuds Day Camp Program

Content or Curriculum:  4-H Approved (including a variety of areas such as: Science, Health and Creative Expression) 

Inputs:   4-H Agent; Program Assistant; Extension Staff

Date: Spring/Summer 2025 and 2026 (Annually)

Audience: Youth ( 3rd- 12th grades)

Project or Activity: Art and Communication Initiatives: In-School Enrichment Art Program

Content or Curriculum: Extension State Specialists; 4-H and Extension Core Curriculum;

Inputs:   4-H Agent; Program Assistant, Extension Agents; Extension Staff and Volunteers 

Date:  July 2025-June 2026

Evaluation:

Outcome: Increased knowledge about health-promoting behaviors (e.g., how to prepare nutritious foods, benefits of routine vaccinations/screenings) (initial)

Indicator: Number of participants who reported/demonstrates improved knowledge, skills, opinions, or confidence regarding a health-promoting behavior as a result of a participating in a health and well-being program

Method: Observation by Agent or self-reported surveys

Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration 

Outcome: Increased health-promoting behaviors that support family and community health (e.g., physical activity, consuming nutritious foods, routine vaccinations and screenings) (intermediate)

Indicator: 

Number of physical activity minutes recorded by a participant

Number of participants who reported consuming more nutritious foods and/or beverages

Number of participants who reported a change in a health-promoting behavior as a result of participating in a health and well-being program

Method: Self-reported surveys

Timeline: Repeated self-reported surveys and/or follow-up evaluations to capture change over time