Healthy Living Lifestyles for Youth, Families & Community
Thriving Individuals, Strong Families
LDM, VW, NB
Health
Substance Use Prevention and Recovery General
Family and Consumer Science
Nutrition and Food Systems General
Healthy living is one of three 4-H mission mandates and encompasses: physical activity, personal safety, mental health, addiction prevention, and diversity and inclusion. In Kentucky 37% of youth 10-17 are overweight or obese, and 51% report not exercising regularly. 25% of youth report some form of emotional or behavioral condition and suicide rates are at record high (KY suicides per 100,000 people: 15.3, 10th highest in nation). Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health disease can affect anyone, with 1,160 reported opioid-involved deaths (a rate of 27.9 deaths per 100,000 persons) in Kentucky and Vaping nearly doubled among middle and high school students — with 27% of high school seniors reporting they had tried the product in 2018.
The ever changing landscape of the family and the consumer highlights the need for a responsive and innovative FCS program while also providing the basic needs that all families have as they navigate lives many challenges. Kentucky 4-H Seeks to meet these needs through working with youth and families in a variety of situations to increase their consumer awareness, financial management, nutrition, culinary arts, textiles, housing, and human development.
A foundation of nutrition knowledge, skills and competencies in topics such as food safety, handling and preparation, cooking methods and techniques, feeding practices, foods science, and food systems are essential to changing dietary behaviors. With the increased trend of chronic disease and obesity in Kentucky, individuals, families and communities need tools and environments that support healthful dietary decisions. CES agents are encouraged to reach diverse audiences to help combat chronic disease and obesity in Kentucky communities.
- Reduced fatalities.
- Reduced number of children in foster care.
- Reduced incarceration.
- Increased number of youth maintaining positive health habits.
- Increased number of youth at a lower risk for serious disease and illness.
- Increased number of youth at a lower risk for physical and emotional distress.
- Reduce the number of youth reporting drug, alcohol, and tobacco use.
- Participants be responsible and contributing individuals and family members
- Participants contribute to a safe and healthy home and community.
- Routinely employ healthy dietary practices that promote health and wellness (e.g. consume recommended daily fruits and vegetables and improve food management skills
- Reduce the rate of chronic disease and obesity
- Increased adoption and mastery of healthy behaviors that lead to a healthy lifestyle.
- New coalitions developed to address Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health.
- Improved access and utilization of resources.
- Improved perceived stress and ability to cope.
- Youth will contribute to their communities.
- Youth will practice refusal skills.
- Youth & adults will intervene to prevent use/abuse.
- Youth utilize and practice life skills in projects and life situations
- Youth project a positive image and self-confidence
- Youth & families practice responsible consumer and financial decision-making
- Youth & families practice healthy eating choices
- Participants make choices that lead to responsible and beneficial results.
- Generate positive attitudes toward changing dietary decisions to be more healthful.
- Increase intake of fruits, vegetables, and other nutrient-dense foods.
- Decrease intake of solid fats, added sugars and sodium
- Employ healthful cooking methods, feeding practices and food preservation techniques
- Increased access to healthy doos via local farmers markets, food retailers and/or home gardens
- Improved in awareness of health concerns for youth.
- Improved education about Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health disease.
- Improved education about Diversity and Inclusion.
- Reduced stigma of individuals with Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health disease.
- Improved understanding of the consequences of risk behaviors.
- Promote optimal physical, social and emotional health habits.
- Gain knowledge and develop skills in Family & Consumer Sciences projects and programs
- Understand the decision-making process
- Gain skills in setting a goal and developing a plan of action
- Learn to read and follow instructions
- Increase awareness about relationships between food and nutrition practices and chronic disease.
- Improve food and nutrition-related skills (e.g. gardening, preparation and preservation techniques, safe food handling, food resource management)
- Increase confidence in ability to employ healthy eating practices
- Increase motivation to access and prepare healthier foods
Initial Outcome: Nutrition knowledge, skills, and competencies
Indicator: Number of individuals who reported: use knowledge and skills to improve food-shopping management; utilize the food label to make healthy food choices; choosing smaller portions; increased food preservation knowledge; demonstrated recommended food preservation practices
Method: Self-report surveys' specific curricula or program evaluations
Timeline: Pre-post implementing curricula or program; ongoing
Intermediate Outcome: Dietary intake
Indicator: Number of individuals who reported: eating 4-6 servings of fruits and/or vegetables daily
Method: Self-report surveys about fruit and vegetable intake or other dietary improvements; specific curricula or program evaluations
Timeline: Pre-post implementing curricula or program; ongoing
Long-term Outcome: Preparing and preserving food
Indicator: Number of individuals who reported: preparing more home-cooked meals; modifying ingredients and/or preparation techniques to improve nutrition
Method: Self-report survey; specific curricula or program evaluations
Timeline: Pre-post implementing curricula or program; ongoing
4-H Youth Development Health Items
- Outcome to be Evaluated
- Number of youth who indicated they learned about healthy food choices through 4-H
- Method of Evaluation
- Number of youth who were educated on health and well-being through 4-H programs? (KOSA)
- Number of youth who indicated they made healthy lifestyle choices as are result of what they learned through 4-H programming? (PRACTICE)
- Number of youth who indicated they increased their daily number of servings of fruits and vegetables eaten as a result of 4-H programs? (PRACTICE) Number of youth who indicated “yes or usually” to the Common Measures Experience Survey Question #6 “Is 4-H A place where you get to figure out things for yourself?” (SEEC)
- Number of youth who indicated “yes or usually” to the Common Measures Experience Survey Question #13 “Is 4-H a place where you have a chance to be a leader?” (SEEC)
Evaluation of 4-H FCS Specific Items
- Outcome to be Evaluated
- Youth who engage in FCS project Work
- Indicator of Success for Outcome
- Youth complete a FCS Project
- Method of Evaluation
- 4-H Common Measures Universal Survey
As Needed Will Provide 2020-21 Programs Virtually or in "Grab-N-Go" Kit Formats due to Covid-19 -- Working towards offering SPIN Style Virtual 4-H Clubs to Accomplish the Learning Objectives Below as well as Virtual Community & School Enrichment Programs
Audience: Marshall County Youth (Ages 9-14)
Project or Activity: Residential Summer 4-H Camp -- Campers learn daily skills such as responsibility for their own items, cleaning skills, and engage in physical activity.
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H Core Curriculum
Inputs: Marshall County Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development, Extension Assistant, Marshall County 4-H Teen & Adult Camp Counselors
Date: Summer 2021
Audience: Marshall County Adults / Parents
Project or Activity: Youth Mental Health First Aid Certification Workshops
Content or Curriculum: National YMHFA
Inputs: Certified YMHFA Instructor--Marshall County Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development
Date: Workshops Offered throughout 2020-21
Audience: Marshall County Middle School Students in Health or Life Skills Classes
Project or Activity: 4-H Health Rocks School Enrichment Programs
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Health Rocks 2.0
Inputs: Marshall County Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development
Date: 2020-21 School Year
Audience: Marshall County 4-H After-School & CFS/NCCA Club Members
Project or Activity: 4-H Club Lessons & Workshops
Content or Curriculum: NEP Programs/4-H Foods
Inputs: Marshall County Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development, Extension Assistant, Marshall County 4-H Teen volunteers, UK CES Publications
Date: 2020-21 Club Year
Audience: Marshall County Teens & Adults (All Ages)
Project or Activity: Learning the Basics/Adulting 101 -- Providing basics of food preparation, daily household upkeep & maintenance, starting a small and-or container gardening, & other daily basic life skills addressed.
Content or Curriculum: NEP Programs/4-H Food Preparation & Nutrition/4-H Home Environment/FCS Resources
Inputs: Marshall County Extension Agents for ANR and 4-H Youth Development, Extension Assistant, Marshall County 4-H Volunteers, Master Gardeners, and UK CES Publications
Date: 2020-21
Audience: Marshall County 4-H After-School & CFS/NCCA Club Members / School Enrichment Program Participants
Project or Activity: Financial Basics
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Build a Million, Building a Healthy, Wealthy Future, Consumer Savvy, It’s Your Reality , APES, Be the E
Inputs: Marshall County Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development, Extension Assistant, Marshall County 4-H Teen volunteers, UK CES Publications
Date: 2020-21 Club Year
Audience: Marshall County 4th Grade Students
Project or Activity: Marshall County Youth Ag Field Day -- Gardening & Nutrition
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Agriculture & Natural Resources Curriculums on Gardening; NEP Victory Garden Resources
Inputs: Marshall County Extension Agents for 4-H Youth Development & ANR, Extension Assistant, Marshall County Master Gardeners, and Marshall County 4-H Teen volunteers.
Date: March/April 2021
Audience: General Public, Students & Parents, Needline & Marcella's Kitchen Clients
Project or Activity: School & Community Health Fairs / Displays / Publications
Content or Curriculum: NEP Materials & Curriculums
Inputs: Marshall County Extension Agents for ANR & 4-H Youth Development, Extension Assistant, Marshall County 4-H Volunteers, Master Gardeners, UK Publications
Date: 2020-21 as scheduled
Audience: Marshall County After-School & CFS 4-H Club Members/School Enrichment Participants
Project or Activity: 4-H Club Lesson(s)
Content or Curriculum: Building Character and Social-Emotional Learning, Mindful Me, and Centering on Me Based Lessons
Inputs: Marshall County Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development, Extension Assistant, and Marshall County 4-H Teen volunteers.
Date: 2020-21
Audience: Marshall County 8th Grade Students
Project or Activity: Middle School Enrichment Programs
Content or Curriculum: Truth & Consequences
Inputs: Marshall County Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development, Marshall County Health Department, Community Leaders, YSC Coordinator, and middle school life skills/enrichment/health teachers. Assistance from Marshall County Extension Agent for FCS and Extension Assistant.
Date: Winter/Spring 2021
Audience: Marshall County 5th Grade Students
Project or Activity: Farm & Home Safety Day
Content or Curriculum: UK CES Food Safety Guidelines/NEP Curriculum
Inputs: Marshall County Extension 4-H Youth Development & ANR Agents, Extension Assistant, NRCS, Marshall County Conservation District, and participating agencies/organizations.
Date: Fall 2020
Audience: Marshall County 4-H Sharp Shooter Members
Project or Activity: 4-H Sharp Shooters Safety & Range Training
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H Shooting Sports Program & Materials/Project Book developed by Marshall County Certified Shooting Sport Coaches
Inputs: Marshall County 4-H Shooting Sports Coaches & Coordinator, Calvert City Gun Club volunteers, and Marshall County Extension Agents for 4-H Youth Development & ANR.
Date: Spring 2021
Audience: Marshall County 4-H Trailblazer Members
Project or Activity: 4-H Trailblazer Club Lessons & District 7 Horse Related Programs
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H Horse Program & UK Specialist's Presentations -- Safety Around Horses/Equine Nutrition/Proper Horsemanship & Showmanship Skill Development / D7 4-H Horse Judging & Show Clinics
Inputs: Marshall County 4-H Certified Horse Volunteers, District 7 4-H & ANR Agents, UK Equine Specialists
Date: 2020-21 Club Year
Audience: Communities
Project or Activity: Community Outreach
Content or Curriculum: Cooking programs, marketing, increased access (e.g. location, hours, EBT), Plate it up! Kentucky Proud resources, Farmers Market Toolkit, Super Star Chef
Inputs: Nutrition Education Program (NEP), paid staff, grant funds, facilities, Kentucky Department of Agriculture
Date: April--October/growing seasons
Audience: Families & Individuals
Project or Activity: Food Preparation for Better Health
Content or Curriculum: Cook Together Eat Together, Mastering Food Choices, Dining with Diabetes, Super Star Chef, Faithful Families, Plate it Up!-Kentucky Proud resources, resources for early care and education settings
Inputs: Programmatic materials, paid staff, community partners, faith-based organizations
Date: Ongoing projects throughout the year
Project or Activity: Food Preservation
Content or Curriculum: Publications, Trainings, Home-based Micro-Processing training
Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, programmatic materials, NEP resources
Date: July--September for adults and youth
Audience: Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association/Volunteers
Project or Activity: Promoting Nutrition with Volunteers
Content or Curriculum: Champion Food Volunteers, Mastering Food Choices, International Cuisine publications, Food preservation workshops, Monthly leader lessons
Inputs: Volunteers, paid staff, community partners
Date: ongoing
Author: Lena Mallory
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
To say COVID-19 has caused Extension to provide new and creative ways to program would be an understatement. During the summer months, Marshall County 4-H Youth Development typically tries to offer at least two to three day camps along with regular summer programming such as the County Fair Exhibits and 4-H Camp. The worldwide pandemic created a change of plans… Instead of in-person day camps, Marshall County Extension Program Assi
Author: Vicki Wynn
Major Program: Family Development General
When face-to-face social interaction came to a screeching halt in March 2020, University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Family & Consumer Sciences administrators, specialists, agents and staff turned to video technology to stay connected with stakeholders and clientele across the Commonwealth. Social media platforms became flooded with information to assist families with research-based information to address concerns about COVID-19, cleaning vs. disinfecting, self-care in recove
Author: Vicki Wynn
Major Program: Nutrition and Food Systems General
The economic downturn has seen increased interest in home gardening and food preservation. These practices allow families the ability to control added ingredients such as salt and sugar, especially for those on restricted diets. Through Cooperative Extension, a series of food preservation videos have been produced to assist clientele during times that face-to-face programming is not feasible. Increased interest in learning more about al
Author: Lena Mallory
Major Program: Leadership
To say 2020 has been a “different” kind of year, would be a major understatement! What hasn’t changed is the need to provide the youth of Marshall County positive and constructive opportunities to develop leadership, communication, and life skills! In response to the worldwide pandemic, Marshall County 4-H Youth Development programs moved to virtual opportunities wherever possible. During the Summer of 2020, Project Kits were provided for over 50 youth who ind
Author: Vicki Wynn
Major Program: Family Development General
As Family & Consumer Sciences 'first responders', it became apparent that a variety of program delivery methods would be required in order to reach traditional participants and new Extension users during the Pandemic of 2020. The 'Lifelong Learning Series' materials were distributed throughout the Purchase area by mail, email and video segments with lessons about pest management, fermented foods, exercise, genealogy, air fryers, mental health and addiction. Audience reach inc
Author: Vicki Wynn
Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General
Annually, Family and Consumer Sciences Agents and staff see an increased interest from clients in health-behavior?choices around the new year.??This year,?to?reach both current and new clientele with?timely?and?research-based?information, FCS Extension rolled out a new program just in time for January 2021- Big Blue Goals.??The program was designed to allow for participation through either?an online platform?(Goalify app)?that could be?operated?on?a smartphone, computer, or tablet,?or throu