Improving Economic and Social Well-Being of Individuals and FamiliesPlan of Work

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Todd County CES

Title:
Improving Economic and Social Well-Being of Individuals and Families
MAP:
Empowering Individuals and Families to Succeed
Agents Involved:
Jill Harris
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Embracing Life as We Age (general)
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Securing Financial Stability (general)
Situation:

The consequences of the Great Recession and the extended period of slow economic growth which followed, encouraged Kentuckians to become more aware of their financial situation. Kentucky consistently lags behind other areas of the United States in key household economic indicators, including: personal income, population living below the poverty line, unemployment, and revolving debt. These indicators, especially unemployment numbers became more exaggerated during the period of the Great Recession. However, at present economist are cautiously optimistic regarding future economic forecasts. It is important to acknowledge the impact of current economic conditions on family financial management. The goal of the Securing Financial Stability Initiative is to help Kentuckians understand and respond to changing economic conditions, while promoting healthy financial behaviors across the lifespan.


According to census data, Todd County’s total population is 12,520, with the per capita income $17,846, well below the Kentucky average of $23,462 and the US average of $28,155, and an estimated 743 households received food stamps in 2015 (US Census American Fact Finder). The median household income is $41,541, below the state average of $43,036. Only 76% of adults age 25 or older have graduated high school or have a GED, lower than the Kentucky average of 83%. The unemployment rate for 2012 was estimated at 7.9%, below the state and national averages. The newly opened Todd County Career Path Institute has given Extension the opportunity to work in the area of job readiness (interviewing, resumes, dress for success).


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. Children who live in poverty are more likely to have learning disabilities and developmental delays. Furthermore, 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.


According to Kids Count data for Todd County, 25% of children live in poverty and 81% of children live in high-poverty areas, much higher than the state average of 42%. .61% of kindergarteners are not ready to learn compared to the state average of 50%. Todd County is also higher than state average in low-birthweight babies (9.3%) and birth to mothers without a high school degree (31.6%). The Todd County Family and Consumer Sciences Council identified training for child care providers one of the top priorities for nurturing families, hoping to increase the number of children who are ready to learn by the time they enter school. In the Todd County Family and Consumer Survey, 83% of the respondents named promoting family meal time as highly important, and 83% ranked parenting skills as a priority.


People are living longer. Kentucky’s current population of seniors (65+) is 13.3%, a number that is expected to double in the next 40 years due to the aging Baby Boomers (post WWII babies born between 1946-1964). Approximately 25% of Kentucky’s population includes Boomers, who, in 2011, started turning 65. Meanwhile, babies born in Kentucky in 2011 are projected to live to be 75 years old (3 years younger than the national average). Whether it is the graying of America or extended life expectancies, aging is a lifespan process. Therefore, it is important to acknowledge and celebrate the changes that accompany aging, in regard to health, independence and life quality throughout all stages of life. Aging programs help individuals, families, and communities manage the challenges and discover the positive aspects of life transitions and growing older.


Fifteen percent of the population in Todd County is 65 and older, with 18.6% living below poverty level, well above the state average of 11.7%. Of those 60 and above, 214 households received food stamps in 2014 (US Census American Fact Finder). The Todd County Family & Consumer Sciences survey ranked help for caregivers, increasing brain power, and investing for retirement as priorities for aging populations.


Long-Term Outcomes:

Kentucky families foster the optimal development of children and youth.


Decrease in falls because of improvement of balance.


Change in social, economic, and environmental issues related to healthy aging, independent aging and quality aging.


Individuals and families have improved family financial stability and economic well-being.

Intermediate Outcomes:

The number of people who report practicing child developmental techniques.


Number of people who demonstrated spending time in physical activity (Matter of Balance).


Number of participants reporting behavior changes related to healthy, independent or quality aging: such as decrease the risk of falling; increase communication and enhance relationships and social support; enhance brain activity; improve mental health; create a legacy; increase skills to interact/work with older adults; or engage a family unit to acknowledge and embrace aging issues.


Number of individuals who adopted short, mid and/or long term financial planning strategies.


Number of individuals who applied practical living skills to advance education or employability.

Initial Outcomes:

Number of individuals reporting behaviors that foster the optimal development of children and youth.


Number of those who reported knowledge gained about the benefits of spending time in physical activity (Matter of Balance).


Number of participants reporting improved knowledge, opinions, skills or aspirations regarding healthy aging, independent aging, and quality aging.


Number of individuals reporting improved knowledge and skills related to securing financial stability (such as managing financial and non-financial resources; consumer rights and privacy protection; importance of education and employability skills; personal goal setting to maintain and improve financial stability)

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Individuals report behaviors that foster the optimal development of children and youth.

Indicator: Number of individuals reporting behaviors that foster the optimal development of children and youth.

Method: Pre-post test

Timeline: End of training

Intermediate Outcome: People practice child developmental techniques.

Indicator: The number of people who report practicing child developmental techniques.

Method: follow-up survey

Timeline: 6 months following class

Long-term Outcome: School readiness is increases

Indicator: Increase in children who are ready for school

Method: Kids Count Data

Timeline: 4 year data



Initial Outcome: Participants reporting improved knowledge, opinions, skills or aspirations regarding healthy aging, independent aging, and quality aging

Indicator: Number of participants reporting improved knowledge, opinions, skills or aspirations regarding healthy aging, independent aging, and quality aging

Method: Questionnaire

Timeline: End of meeting

Intermediate Outcome:

Indicator:Number of participants reporting behavior changes related to healthy, independent or quality aging

Method: Follow-up

Timeline: 6 months after class

Long-term Outcome: Change in social, economic, and environmental issues related to healthy aging, independent aging and quality aging.

Indicator:

Method:

Timeline:


Initial Outcome: People learn how to improve balance

Indicator: Number of people reporting change in knowledge, opinions, skills, or aspirations about improving balance

Method: survey

Timeline: end of meeting

Intermediate Outcome: People practice improving balance

Indicator: Number of people practicing improving balance

Method: follow-up survey

Timeline: 6 months after program

Longterm Outcome: reduction in number of falls

Indicator: Reduction in number of falls

Method:

Timeline:


Initial Outcome: Individuals report improved knowledge and skills related to securing financial stability

Indicator: Number of individuals reporting improved knowledge and skills related to securing financial stability

Method: post-test

Timeline: end of meeting

Intermediate Outcome: Individuals utilize knowledge and skills related to securing financial stability

Indicator: number of individuals utilize knowledge and skills related to securing financial stability

Method: survey

Timeline: 6 months

Longterm Outcome: Individuals and families are financially stable

Indicator:

Method:

Timeline:

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Child Care Providers

Project or Activity: Child Care Provider Training

Content or Curriculum: FCS

Inputs: FCS Agent, Early Childhood Council, child care providers

Date: Fall, Spring


Audience: Seniors, almost seniors

Project or Activity: Keys to Embracing Aging

Content or Curriculum: Keys to Embracing Aging

Inputs: FCS Agent, participants

Date: 4 times/year at Guthrie Senior Citizens


Audience: Youth at high school, youth at academy, adults

Project or Activity: Preparing for a Job

Content or Curriculum: FCS

Inputs: FCS Agent, Youth Service Center Coordinator, Family Resource Center Coordinator, Principal at Academy, PACS office, Probation Officer, Technology Center

Date: Year round


Audience:  Extension Homemaker Members, Public

Project or Activity:  Mindfulness

Content or Curriculum:  FCS

Inputs: FCS Agent, Extension Homemaker Members

Date: November


Audience:  Extension Homemaker Members, Public

Project or Activity: LED Lighting

Content or Curriculum: FCS

Inputs: FCS Agent, Extension Homemaker Members

Date: February


Audience:  Extension Homemaker Members, Public

Project or Activity: Traveling on the Cheap

Content or Curriculum: FCS

Inputs: FCS Agent, Extension Homemaker Members

Date: April





Success Stories

Mindfulness & Meditation

Author: Jill Harris

Major Program: Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices (general)

Research is starting to demonstrate that practicing mindfulness can bring improvements in both physical and psychological symptoms as well as positive changes in health, attitudes, and behaviors.In response to these findings, the Todd County Extension Agent for Family & Consumer Sciences taught the workshop Mindfulness & Meditation for the Todd County Extension Homemaker Association. Emphasis was placed on understanding the different types of mindfulness practices, the role of mindf

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