Extension
It Starts With Us
Nurturing families in McLean County
Building strengths in families and individuals
Amanda Dame
Nurturing Families (general)
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. 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. According to American Community Survey, in McLean County 22.4 % (+/- 5.7) family households with children were below the poverty level between the years of 2009-2013. Furthermore, 128 (+/-75) grandparents in McLean County have responsibilities or live with their grandchildren. Children who start kindergarten with delayed development and fewer assets are by far more likely to repeat grades, get tracked into lower-tier classes and drop out of high school than more advantaged children. More than half of Kentucky’s 56 judicial circuits have some form of mandated divorce education; more such education is needed.
- McLean County Residents build personal strengths and self-control, interpersonal communication, life skills including wise decision-making.
- McLean County Residents foster the optimal development of children and youth
- McLean County Residents practice parental leadership skills
- Families will report stronger relationships with future generations while preserving traditional life and heritage skills.
- An increase in the number of people who reported serve healthy snacks and meals
- An increase in the number of people who reported setting and used family rules, routines and limited screen time
- An increase in the number of people who reported practicing skills to strengthen and sustain relationships
- An increase in the number of people who reported engaging in community outreach activities
- Individuals practice building stronger relationships with family members/children/grandchildren by teaching/working together life and heritage skills.
- McLean County Residents access community resources when needed
- McLean County Residents become volunteers to make their community a better place to live for everyone
- Commits to set family rules regarding eating together, limiting screen time, active play and exercise, set routines
- Lists developmentally appropriate playthings
- Intends to contact community agencies for assistance
- Individuals are able to identify the importance of spending time together as a families to teaching life skills/heritage skills.
Outcome: Long-term
Indicator: McLean County parents/guardians built and improved their parenting leadership skills.
Method: Follow up surveys and county statists
Timeline: 3-4 years
Outcome: Intermediate
Indicator: An increase in the number of people who report serving healthy snacks and meals.
Method: Follow up surveys, observation, self-report, and group discussions.
Timeline- 1-2 years
Outcome: Intermediate
Indicator: An increase in the number of people who report setting family rules, routines, and limit screen time. Also, identify realistic expectations for their children’s tasks.
Method: Follow up surveys, observation, self-report, and group discussions.
Timeline: 1-2 years
Outcome: Initial
Indicator: Commits to set family rules regarding eating together, limiting screen time, active play and exercise, set routines.
Method: group discussion, evaluations, and self-report.
Timeline: 3-6 weeks
Outcomes: Initial
Indicator: Individuals identify the importance of spending time together as a families to teaching life skills/heritage skills.
Method: group discussion, evaluations, and self-report. Increase in the number of open home department/ 4-H youth festival entries increase.
Timeline: 3-6 weeks
Audience: McLean County Citizens
Project or Activity: Workshops/ sessions around the community
Content or Curriculum: Life Story: How your History can help you
Inputs: Extension, Specialist, Family Resource, schools, and head start/kindergarten teachers.
Date: September 2019
Audience: McLean County Citizens
Project or Activity: Workshops/ sessions around the community
Content or Curriculum: Creating and Maintaining Family Traditions
Inputs: Extension, Specialist, Family Resource, schools, and head start/kindergarten teachers.
Dates: Fall 2019
