Bullitt County CES

County Emphasis:

Communications, Expressive Arts and Skills Development

Concentration 1:

Work and Life Skill Development

Concentration 2:

Family and Youth Development

Concentration 3:

Financial Security and Economic Well-Being

Concentration 4:

Mental Health and Well-Being

Situation:

State Situation of Family and Youth Development

Family and Youth Development programming is essential for fostering healthy, supportive environments where both children and adults can thrive. By offering structured activities and educational workshops, UK Extension aims to build strong family bonds equipping young people and older adults with critical life skills. Guided by the Cooperative Extension’s National Framework for Health Equity and Well-being, our programming also addresses social and emotional needs throughout the lifespan, promoting resilience and positive relationships which are two of the key concerns identified in the top 15 needs of Kentucky’s statewide needs assessment. Investing in such programs can prevent future challenges by supporting early intervention and personal growth. Ultimately, these initiatives contribute to the well-being of individuals and the stability of communities, making them a vital component of social development.

State Situation of  Financial Security and Economic Well-Being

A disproportionate number of Kentuckians live in economically distressed communities (39% of Kentuckians, compared to 15% nationally). Further, most Kentucky households are concerned with financially sustaining a quality of life that allows them to survive and thrive in an economically challenged society. From housing to grocery expenses, the cost of living continues to rise, and households are ill-equipped to adjust. Securing financial stability is vital for the well-being of state constituents. The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) is committed to improving the financial security and economic well-being of families across the Commonwealth. Related CES programming is designed to help Kentuckians become more economically resilient by promoting financial literacy education, comprehensive family resource management skills, and small business engagement and support.

In a 2023 University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Community Needs Assessment, with nearly 28,000 responses from across the state, Building Financial Literacy and/or Resource Management Skills was among the top 10 state-identified priority issues reported by Kentuckians, and Efforts that Support Local & Small businesses was among the top 10 Community & Economic Development needs in the state.

State Situation of 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.

County Situation:

Long-Term Outcomes:

Adult- Family and Youth Development

Increased meaningful social connections

Increased support network

Increased kindergarten readiness rates in the county and state

Increased caregiver preparation

Improved quality of family life

Adult- Mental Health and Well-Being

Reduced incidence of mental health crises and suicide

Increased access to mental health care and resources for all

Intermediate Outcomes:

Adult- Financial Security and Economic Well-Being

• Increased sound financial decision making
• Implementation of financial literacy and resource management strategies/skills
• Increased savings (e.g., as a result of budgeting, saving, reducing debt, spending wisely, stretching resources)
• Increased access to community financial resources
  
• Adult- Family and Youth Development
• Increased healthy relationships across generations that support healthy community, nurturing behaviors, and quality time together.
• Adult-Mental Health and Well Being
• Enhanced community partnership that equitably support family health (e.g., FRISC, Health Depart., DAIL, AAA,)
• Increased use of self-care and other coping strategies
• Increased advocacy for mental health and wellbeing resources
• Increased partnerships (number or strength) to address mental health and wellbeing issues within the community

Initial Outcomes:

Adult- Financial Security and Economic Well-Being

• Improved financial literacy knowledge
• Improved employability and interpersonal skills
• Developed strategies for maintaining a health work-life balance
• Adult- Family and Youth Development
• Increased awareness of community resources to support healthy families.
• Increased confidence making decisions related to parenting and caregiving.
• Increased confidence and motivation to reduce loneliness and social isolation.
• Improved skills related to nurturing parenting and caregiver support
• Adults-Mental Health and Well Being
• Increased intentions to employ health-promoting behaviors (e.g., reading to your child, spending time together, self-care, caregiver preparation, active living).
• Increased ability to recognize and respond to a mental health concern
• Increased ability to use de-stigmatized language
• Increased knowledge of self-care and other coping strategies
• Increased knowledge of mental health and well-being resources (interpersonal and community-based)

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Improved financial and/or resource management skills (e.g., creating a budget, checking credit report, developing an estate plan, etc.) 

Indicator: Number of individuals who reported developing skills related to family finance and/or resource management

Method: Self-reported surveys

Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration or follow-up evaluation

Intermediate Outcome: Implementation of financial literacy and resource management strategies/skills 

Indicator: Number of individuals who implemented at least one strategy to better manage their family finances and resources (e.g., considered wants/needs, avoided bank fees, reviewed tax forms, set savings goals, started estate plan, developed budget, increased fraud protection, etc.).

Method: Self-reported surveys, documentation & interviews

Timeline: Follow-up evaluations to capture action/behavior change over time.

Initial Outcome: Increased knowledge about nurturing parenting and caregiver support across the lifespan (e.g., how often you read to your child, benefits of spending time together, identifying selfcare behaviors, enhance communication) 

Indicator: Number of participants who reported increased knowledge of nurturing parenting and/or caregiver support practices.

Method: Self-reported surveys

Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration

Outcome: Increased healthy relationships across generations that support healthy communication, nurturing behaviors, and quality time together. (intermediate)

Indicator: 

• Number of participants who reported they enhanced healthy relationships.
• Number of participants who reported that they extended any type of support to another parent, grandparent, older adult, or relative raising a child.

Method: Self-reported surveys

Timeline: Ongoing/as changes are made and projects progress.

Outcome: Increased partnerships (number or strength) to address mental health and well-being issues within the community

Indicator: Number of partnerships with community organizations, institutions, agencies, or individuals to address mental health and well-being in the community.

Method: Agent record of community partnerships utilized in programming

Timeline: Ongoing; Each partnership reporting at intervals

Outcome: Increased use of self-care and other coping strategies

Indicator: Number of participants who adopted self-care strategies to improve their own mental health and well-being.

Method: Follow-up survey/evaluation results

Timeline: On-going; Surveys administered 3-6 months after a program

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Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Individuals, Families

Project or Activity: Development of Financial Literacy Skills

Content or Curriculum: Use Less. Spend Less. Stress Less. curriculum; MONEYWI$E newsletter and podcasts; Recovering Your Finances curriculum; Big Blue Book Club; Leader Lessons; AARP program, SCAMS

Inputs: Programmatic materials, staff, volunteers, community partners, non-profit organizations, schools; Interagency Coalition partners; AARP 

Date: Fall 2025, Spring 2026; ongoing

Audience: Individuals, Families with Turn Around Center & Mark 12 Ministries

Project or Activity: Development of Family Resource Management Skills

Content or Curriculum: Use Less. Spend Less. Stress Less. curriculum; publications; MONEYWI$E newsletter and podcasts; Recovering Your Finances curriculum; etc. 

Inputs: Programmatic materials, staff, volunteers, community partners, non-profit organizations, schools, community centers, Interagency Coalition partners, etc.

Date: Ongoing- monthly

Audience: Individuals, Families- Homemakers & Senior citizens 

Project or Activity: Estate Planning lessons

Content or Curriculum: Estate Planning publication series; Transferring Cherished Possessions curriculum; MONEYWI$E newsletter and podcasts; and legacy building programs such as Memory Banking curriculum & Story Telling

Inputs: Programmatic materials, paid staff, volunteers, community partners, non-profit organizations

Date: Ongoing- July 2025- May 2026

Audience: Individuals- Homemakers  

Project or Activity: Cultural Arts lessons & Activities

Content or Curriculum: KEHA plan of work and programming

Inputs: Programmatic materials, paid staff, volunteers, community partners, non-profit organizations

Date: Ongoing- July 2025- May 2026

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Audience: Families and Individuals

Project or Activity: Parenting Education

Content or Curriculum: Laughter in Marriage is a Must, Information releases and Publications, Living with Loss: Self-Care and Managing Grief; Inspiring Grandchildren to become Grand Cooks; Emergency Health Information Cards; Time Well Spent: Organizing Tips for Increased Productivity; In the Face of Natural Disaster Toolkit; Food Safety; Increasing Powerhouse Vegetables; Making Health Lifestyle Choices; Vegetables for Wellness; LEAP- Feed Hungry Young Minds through Storybook Adventures; Life Story/Memory Banking; 

Inputs: Programmatic materials, paid staff, volunteers, community partners, Family Resource Youth Support Coordinators; Department of Community Based Services, health department, non-profit & faith-based organizations, community centers 

Date: Ongoing

Audience: Families and Individuals

Project or Activity: Caregiver Support

Content or Curriculum: Publications, Family Caregiver Health Bulletins, Story Walks, Health Coalitions, Bingocize, Walk Your Way, County Walking Challenges; Nutrition for Older Adults, Living with Loss; Indoor Air Quality;  Tips for Managing Stress Eating; Estate Planning; Transferring Cherished Possessions; Emergency Health Information Cards; Time Well Spent; Consumer Protection; Scams; Mastering Mindfulness; Food Safety; Kick Kentucky Cancer; Mental Health and Well-Being Series; The Mind/Body Connection; General Housing—Accessibility and Lighting; Mental Health Matters; Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease; WITS Workout

Inputs: Programmatic materials, paid staff, volunteers, community partners; health coalitions, healthcare providers, health department, non-profits, schools, faith-based organizations, Homemakers, community centers, etc.

Date: Ongoing/seasonal

Audience: Families and Individuals

Project or Activity: Mental Health Education Programming

Content or Curriculum:  CODE RED, Understanding and Coping with Trauma after Natural Disasters, After the Storm, Blue to You  

Inputs: Programmatic materials, state specialist support, staff training, facilities, community partners, UK Healthcare mental health resources, community resources.

Date: Ongoing; July 2025- June 2026

Audience: Families and Individuals

Project or Activity: Promoting Well-being

Content or Curriculum: MARK (Mind, Art, Recovery, Kentucky), Take a Beat: Healing Hearts and Minds, Mindfulness Trails, Self-care programming, Mindfulness programming, Mental Health and Wellbeing Series, The Mind-Body Connection

Inputs: Programmatic materials, state specialist support, paid staff, community partners, UK Healthcare mental health resources, community resources.

Date: Ongoing; July 2025- June 2026

Audience: Youth 
Project or Activity: 4-H Public Speaking, school and county-wide 
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Public Speaking curriculum 
Inputs: Extension Staff, teachers, parents, schools, Cooperative Extension facility 
Date: Fall, 2025 /Spring, 2026 

 

Audience: Youth – Middle/High School 
Project or Activity: 4-H Reality Store 
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H Reality Store Curriculum 
Inputs: Extension Staff, Volunteers, Schools, teachers 
Date: Spring, 2026 
 
Audience: Youth - High School 
Project or Activity: Workforce Prep & Career Readiness 
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H Workforce Prep Curriculum 
Inputs: Extension Staff, Volunteers, Schools, teachers, Family Court, Court Designated Workers, community & business leaders 
Date: Fall, 2025 /Spring, 2026 
 
Audience: Youth – Elementary 
Project or Activity: Dollars & Sense Program 
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H Dollars Sense Curriculum 
Inputs: Extension Staff, Volunteers, Schools, teachers 
Date: January - March 2026 

 

Audience: Youth Ages 9-18, Adults 
Project or Activity: 4-H Residential Camp 
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Camp 
Inputs: Extension Staff, Volunteers, Camp Facilities, Camp Staff 
Date: Summer 2025/Summer 2026 

 

Audience: Youth Ages 9-13 
Project or Activity: Home Alone Program 
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H Code Name: Home Alone 
Inputs: Extension Staff, Volunteers, local childcare facilities, childcare teachers 
Date: Summer 2025 

 

Audience: Youth Ages 5-18 
Project or Activity: Day Camps 
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum, Extension Curriculum 
Inputs: Extension Staff, Volunteers, local schools, Family Resource Centers, Youth Service Center 
Date: Summer 2025/ Summer 2026 

 

Audience: Youth Ages 5-19 
Project or Activity: Community Clubs, Project Clubs 
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H Curricula (Communications and Expressive Arts, Leadership, Clover Buds, Global Citizenship, SET, Ag/Natural Resources, FCS) 
Inputs: Extension Staff, Volunteers, Teachers 
Date: Fall, 2025 /Spring, Summer 2026 

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Improved financial and/or resource management skills (e.g., creating a budget, checking credit report, developing an estate plan, etc.) 

Indicator: Number of individuals who reported developing skills related to family finance and/or resource management

Method: Self-reported surveys

Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration or follow-up evaluation

Intermediate Outcome: Implementation of financial literacy and resource management strategies/skills 

Indicator: Number of individuals who implemented at least one strategy to better manage their family finances and resources (e.g., considered wants/needs, avoided bank fees, reviewed tax forms, set savings goals, started estate plan, developed budget, increased fraud protection, etc.).

Method: Self-reported surveys, documentation & interviews

Timeline: Follow-up evaluations to capture action/behavior change over time.

Initial Outcome: Increased knowledge about nurturing parenting and caregiver support across the lifespan (e.g., how often you read to your child, benefits of spending time together, identifying selfcare behaviors, enhance communication) 

Indicator: Number of participants who reported increased knowledge of nurturing parenting and/or caregiver support practices.

Method: Self-reported surveys

Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration

Outcome: Increased healthy relationships across generations that support healthy communication, nurturing behaviors, and quality time together. (intermediate)

Indicator: 

• Number of participants who reported they enhanced healthy relationships.
• Number of participants who reported that they extended any type of support to another parent, grandparent, older adult, or relative raising a child.

Method: Self-reported surveys

Timeline: Ongoing/as changes are made and projects progress.

Outcome: Increased partnerships (number or strength) to address mental health and well-being issues within the community

Indicator: Number of partnerships with community organizations, institutions, agencies, or individuals to address mental health and well-being in the community.

Method: Agent record of community partnerships utilized in programming

Timeline: Ongoing; Each partnership reporting at intervals

Outcome: Increased use of self-care and other coping strategies

Indicator: Number of participants who adopted self-care strategies to improve their own mental health and well-being.

Method: Follow-up survey/evaluation results

Timeline: On-going; Surveys administered 3-6 months after a program

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