Extension
It Starts With Us
Cultural and Diversity Awareness
Life Skills and Diversity
Diane Mason
Nurturing Families (general)
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.
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
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
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
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
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
