Cultural and Diversity AwarenessPlan of Work

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Boone County CES

Title:
Cultural and Diversity Awareness
MAP:
Life Skills and Diversity
Agents Involved:
Diane Mason
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Nurturing Families (general)
Situation:
Boone County (KY) continues to attract a more diverse population. From increased ethnic to increased religious diversity, the county faces a number of challenges. One challenge is helping current residents accept those who might be from another culture or background.
Healthy couple and parenting relationships and resulting family stability benefit the well-being of adults and children. Co-habiting, same-sex, divorced, widowed and single households are the new majority. Stresses on military families are more difficult and prolonged because of the demands on military personnel to serve multiple deployments, frequently in combat zones. Children who live absent from their biological fathers are two to three times more likely to be poor, to experience educational, health, emotional and behavioral problems than their peers who live with their married, biological (or adoptive) parents. In 2013, 25 percent of Kentucky children lived in poverty, ranking Kentucky 40th in the nation.
Long-Term Outcomes:
Kentucky families are able to:

Care for the physical and mental health and well-being of each individual over the long term

Foster the optimal development of children and youth

Build personal strengths and self control, interpersonal communication, life skills including wise decision-making.

Embrace people from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds

Reach out with empathy to people dealing with severe stress

Access community resources when needed

Become volunteers to make their community a better place to live for everyone
Intermediate Outcomes:
The number of people who:

Ate family meals or meals with others four or more times a week

Reduced stress levels, made time for selves, and/or made wise decisions about money, time, etc.

Engage with others of a different background more frequently, more successfully, and with additional understanding and empathy.

Practice skills to strengthen and sustain relationships

Accessed community agencies and resources when needed

Engaged in community outreach activities
Initial Outcomes:
Intends to manage stress; make time for self; listen, talk, bond with family members; read with child daily; teach responsibility in use of money, time, etc.

Verbalizes realistic behavior expectations

Interacts effectively with others

Helps individuals from other cultures and backgrounds successfully navigate in social situations and learning experiences


Intends to contact community agencies for assistance

Intends to participate in volunteer activities
Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Increased awareness and knowledge

Indicator: Increased awareness of cultural diversity in the region

Method: Post session evaluation

Timeline: May 2018


Intermediate Outcome: Behavior Change

Indicator: Individuals report implementing new behaviors as a result of program

Method: Written or on-line evaluation

Timeline: 3 to 6 months following program or program series


Long-term Outcome: Change in acceptance in county of individuals

Indicator: Change in crimes related to cultural and societal differences

Method: Media analysis; crime reports

Timeline: 5 years

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Adults

Project or Activity: Culture and Cuisine

Content or Curriculum: handouts as appropriate from Cooperative Extension

Inputs: guest speakers

Date: April 2018



Audience: Adults

Project or Activity: Hands-on Cooking for English Language Learners

Content or Curriculum: Plate it Up Kentucky Proud

Inputs: Curriculum; food

Date: September, October, November, December - 2017 and  January, February, March, April - 2018



Audience: Adults  - general public

Project or Activity: Exploring the Mediterranean Lifestyle series

Content or Curriculum: Penn State Extension curriculum

Inputs: food, curriculum

Date: August and September 2017


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