Lincoln County CES

County Emphasis:

Nurturing health, well-being, and mental health of individuals, families, and farms

Concentration 1:

Health and Wellbeing

Concentration 2:

Mental Health and Well-Being

Concentration 3:

Substance Use Prevention and Recovery

Concentration 4:

Family and Youth Development

Situation:

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 Well-being, 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 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 well-being.

County Situation:

Population health and well-being is something we create as a society, not something an individual can attain in a clinic or be responsible for alone. Health is more than being free from disease and pain; health is the ability to thrive. Well-being covers both quality of life and the ability of people and communities to contribute to the world. Population health involves optimal physical, mental, spiritual and social well-being.

Lincoln County is faring slightly worse than the average county in Kentucky for Population Health and Well-being, and worse than the average county in the nation.

The health and well-being of our citizens is one of our top priorities. Whether it is the youth, senior citizen or a beginning farmer, we want to make sure our people are educated on the importance of health, safety, and longevity.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Adult

• Community environments that equitably support health-promoting behaviors where people live, learn, work, and play
• Improved quality of life
• Reduced incidence of mental health crises and suicide
• Increased access to mental health care and resources for all

 

Youth

• Youth will demonstrate the necessary leadership, teamwork, and communication skills needed to be successful in the workplace. 
• Youth participation in community involvement increases.
• Youth will serve in leadership roles in their community.
• Youth will more effectively communicate, work with others, and contribute to driving change and shaping the future. 
• Youth will become engaged, healthy, and productive members of their communities.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Adult

1. Increased health-promoting behaviors that support family, community, and occupational health and safety
2. Increased and/or strengthened partnerships to address community health or safety issues
3. Increased use of self-care and other coping strategies
4. Increased advocacy for mental health and wellbeing resources
5. Increased partnerships (number or strength) to address mental health and wellbeing issues within the community

 

Youth

1. Youth will practice teamwork, responsibility, communication, conflict resolution techniques, and problem-solving skills.
2. Youth will plan and implement a service project.
3. Youth will choose to take on leadership roles in their community.

Initial Outcomes:

Adults

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.

1. Increased knowledge about health-promoting behaviors.
2. Increased awareness of community resources to support health-promoting behaviors.
3. Increased confidence in making decisions related to health-promoting behaviors.
4. Improved skills related to health-promoting behaviors

• 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)

 

Youth

1. Youth identify personal strengths that contribute to life and work skill development.
2. Increased knowledge of career pathways.
3. Increased knowledge of educational, training, and certification opportunities.
4. Youth will practice civic engagement, leadership and communication skills.

Evaluation:

Initial 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: Short term

Indicator: 

1. Number of youth who reported learning new skills to prepare or improve themselves for the workforce as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach.
2. Number of youth who reported that they improved their job interview skills as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach.
3. Number of youth who reported an improvement in their personal skills (e.g., communication, networking, time management) as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach. 
4. Number of youth who reported improvement in their confidence to implement employment strategies as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach.
5. Number of youth who reported that they learned strategies for managing their work-life responsibilities as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach. 
6. Number of youth who reported expressing their thoughts or opinions. 
7. Number of youth who reported using information to communicate with others. 
8. Number of youth who reported demonstrating a skill they have learned. 
9. Number of youth who reported serving in a leadership role. 
10. Number of youth who reported working in a team / group to accomplish a common task or goal. 
11. Number of youth who reported realizing how my actions impact others. 
12. Number of youth reporting identifying the needs of others in their community. 
13. Number of youth who reported participating in a service activity (community service, service learning, personal service to others). 
14. Number of youth who reported recognizing leaders in their community or area of interest. 
15. Number of volunteers who taught youth to express their thoughts or opinions. 
16. Number of volunteers who taught youth how to use information to communicate with others. 
17. Number of volunteers who provided opportunities for youth to demonstrate a skill they learned. 
18. Number of volunteers who provided opportunities for youth to serve in a leadership role. 
19. Number of volunteers who facilitated experiences for youth to work in a team/group to accomplish a common task or goal.  
20. Number of volunteers who helped youth understand how their actions impact others. 
21. Number of volunteers who facilitated the identification of the needs of others in their community. 
22. Number of volunteers who coordinated service activities (community service, service learning, personal service to others). 
23. Number of volunteers who taught youth to recognize leaders in their community or area of interest.

Method: Standard Evaluation 

Timeline: Immediately post program (6+ hours)  

Intermediate Outcome: Medium Term

Indicator: 

1. Number of youth who developed a resume as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach.  
2. Number of youth who gained an increase in salary/income as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach. 
3. Number of youth who gained new employment as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach.

Method: Survey

Timeline: End of program year

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 should be reported once per reporting interval

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

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

Method: Post-participation survey/evaluation results

Timeline: On-going; Surveys should be administered immediately after a program

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 should be administered at least 3-6 months after a program

Outcome: Increased advocacy for mental health and wellbeing resources

Indicator: Number of participants who adopted strategies to support or promote mental health and well-being in their community

Method: Follow-up survey/evaluation results

Timeline: On-going; Surveys should be administered at least 3-6 months after a program

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Families & Individuals

Project or Activity: Physical, Environmental, and Occupational Safety

Content or Curriculum: Publications, presentations, trainings, demonstrations, In the Face of Disaster, Pest Control Short Course, Stop the Bleed

Inputs: Programmatic materials, paid staff, community partners, businesses, creative entrepreneurs, local farms/growers/producers, commodity groups, housing authorities

Date: Ongoing/seasonal

Audience:  4-Hers, Extension Professionals, Clientele 

Project or Activity: 4-H Core Program Areas (Leadership, Agriculture, Natural Resources, Communication and Expressive Arts, Science, Engineering and Technology, Health and Wellbeing, and Family Consumer Sciences), 4-H Camp, Cloverbud, Volunteerism

Content or Curriculum: Approved Kentucky 4-H Curriculum by Core Program Area or Area of Interest

Inputs: These programs are supported by the research base of the Cooperative Extension Land-grant system, funding from the Kentucky 4-H Foundation, Inc., local, state, and federal sources, grants, and the engagement of volunteers, youth, communities, and external stakeholders

Date: Program Year 

Audience: 4-Hers, Extension Professionals, Clientele 

Project or Activity: 4-H Resume, Cover Letter, and Interview Skills Program (Club/Group/Individual)

Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H Work & Life Readiness Lessons, 4-H Build Your Future, Work Ready Life Skills, and Leap into Careers.

Inputs: These programs are supported by the research base of the Cooperative Extension Land-grant system, funding from the Kentucky 4-H Foundation, Inc., local, state, and federal sources, grants, and the engagement of volunteers, youth, communities, and external stakeholders such as civic groups. Focus is on Grades 8-12

Date: Program Year

Audience: Families and Individuals

Project or Activity: Family & Community Health

Content or Curriculum: Publications, presentations, trainings, demonstrations, Health Bulletins, Pathways to Wellness, resources for early care and education settings, Health Literacy for the Win, Health Family Guides, Healthy Homemakers, Vaccine and on-site clinic opportunities, chronic disease prevention programs and materials, health fairs, hygiene education

Inputs: Programmatic materials, paid staff, volunteers, community partners, health coalitions, healthcare providers, health departments, non-profits, faith-based organizations, schools, company health & wellness, community centers, etc. 

Date: Ongoing

Audience: Families & Individuals

Project or Activity: Physical Activity

Content or Curriculum: Publications, Faithful Families, Story Walks, Health and wellness Ambassadors, Shared Space Agreements, Health Coalitions, WIN, Health Partners, Bingocize, Walk Your Way, Families on the Move, County Walking Challenges, Mindfulness Trails, Fit Tips, Hiking for Health

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

Date: Ongoing/seasonal

Audience: Families & Individuals

Project or Activity: Nutrition Education

Content or Curriculum: Nutrition Education Program, SNAP-Ed toolkit, Publications, Faithful Families, Cook Together Eat Together, Savor the Flavor, Dining with Diabetes, Plate it up! Kentucky Proud, Cook Wild Ky, Food as Health Toolkit, Recovery Garden Toolkit, Family Mealtime, maternal and child health program materials

Inputs: Programmatic materials, paid staff, community partners, volunteers, faith-based organization, health coalitions, healthcare Providers and local clinics, health department, non-profits, schools, company health and wellness, Homemakers, farmers’ markets, local farms/growers/producers, commodity groups, community centers, etc.

Date: Ongoing

Audience: Families & Individuals

Project or Activity: Families & Individuals

Content or Curriculum: Publications, presentations, trainings, demonstrations, In the Face of Disaster, Pest Control Short Course, Stop the Bleed, … … …

Inputs: Programmatic materials, paid staff, community partners, businesses, creative entrepreneurs, local farms/growers/producers, commodity groups, housing authorities

Date: Ongoing/seasonal

Audience: Families and Individuals

Project or Activity: Mental Health Education Programming

Content or Curriculum: Adult Mental Health First Aid, QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer), CODE RED, ACT (Awareness, Communication, and Triage and Treat) for Farm Families, 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 (health coalitions, schools, local non-profits, etc.) UK Healthcare mental health resources, 988 community resources

Date: Ongoing; 2025-2029

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, Handling Farm Stress: A Workshop for New and Beginning Farmers, Mindfulness Trails, Yoga-ta Try This (KEHA lesson), Self-care programming, Mindfulness programming, Recovery Gardens, Mental Health and Wellbeing Series, The Mind-Body Connection

Inputs: Programmatic materials, state specialist support, staff training, facilities, community partners (health coalitions, schools, local non-profits, etc.) UK Healthcare mental health resources, 988 community resources

Date: Ongoing; 2025-2029

Evaluation:

Initial 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: Short term

Indicator: 

1. Number of youth who reported learning new skills to prepare or improve themselves for the workforce as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach.
2. Number of youth who reported that they improved their job interview skills as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach.
3. Number of youth who reported an improvement in their personal skills (e.g., communication, networking, time management) as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach. 
4. Number of youth who reported improvement in their confidence to implement employment strategies as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach.
5. Number of youth who reported that they learned strategies for managing their work-life responsibilities as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach. 
6. Number of youth who reported expressing their thoughts or opinions. 
7. Number of youth who reported using information to communicate with others. 
8. Number of youth who reported demonstrating a skill they have learned. 
9. Number of youth who reported serving in a leadership role. 
10. Number of youth who reported working in a team / group to accomplish a common task or goal. 
11. Number of youth who reported realizing how my actions impact others. 
12. Number of youth reporting identifying the needs of others in their community. 
13. Number of youth who reported participating in a service activity (community service, service learning, personal service to others). 
14. Number of youth who reported recognizing leaders in their community or area of interest. 
15. Number of volunteers who taught youth to express their thoughts or opinions. 
16. Number of volunteers who taught youth how to use information to communicate with others. 
17. Number of volunteers who provided opportunities for youth to demonstrate a skill they learned. 
18. Number of volunteers who provided opportunities for youth to serve in a leadership role. 
19. Number of volunteers who facilitated experiences for youth to work in a team/group to accomplish a common task or goal.  
20. Number of volunteers who helped youth understand how their actions impact others. 
21. Number of volunteers who facilitated the identification of the needs of others in their community. 
22. Number of volunteers who coordinated service activities (community service, service learning, personal service to others). 
23. Number of volunteers who taught youth to recognize leaders in their community or area of interest.

Method: Standard Evaluation 

Timeline: Immediately post program (6+ hours)  

Intermediate Outcome: Medium Term

Indicator: 

1. Number of youth who developed a resume as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach.  
2. Number of youth who gained an increase in salary/income as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach. 
3. Number of youth who gained new employment as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach.

Method: Survey

Timeline: End of program year

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 should be reported once per reporting interval

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

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

Method: Post-participation survey/evaluation results

Timeline: On-going; Surveys should be administered immediately after a program

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 should be administered at least 3-6 months after a program

Outcome: Increased advocacy for mental health and wellbeing resources

Indicator: Number of participants who adopted strategies to support or promote mental health and well-being in their community

Method: Follow-up survey/evaluation results

Timeline: On-going; Surveys should be administered at least 3-6 months after a program