Promoting Healthy Lifestyles and CommunitiesPlan of Work

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Grayson County CES

Title:
Promoting Healthy Lifestyles and Communities
MAP:
Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Agents Involved:
Taul, N.
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
National Dining with Diabetes
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Active Living and Health Promotions General
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Cook Together, Eat Together
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Nutrition and Food Systems General
Situation:

With the increased trend of chronic disease and obesity in Kentucky, individuals, families, and communities need tools and environments that support healthy and active lifestyle choices. In Grayson County 22.1% of adults reported they were in poor or fair health in 2016. Additionally, 15.3% of adults in Grayson County reported suffering from Diabetes, and 33% from obesity. CES agents are encouraged to reach diverse audiences to help combat chronic disease and obesity in Kentucky communities. Focusing on a foundation of overall direct health education to increase health literacy and ability to make healthy lifestyle choices. Including, creating spaces or opportunities for active living and health behaviors.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Reduce the rate of chronic disease and obesity

Intermediate Outcomes:

Generate positive attitudes toward changing lifestyle choices to be more healthy

Initial Outcomes:

Increase confidence in ability to employ healthy practices and improve food and nutrition related skills.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Nutrition Knowledge and Dietary Intake

Indicator: Number of individuals who reported: eating 4-6 servings of fruits and/or vegetables daily; utilize the food label to make healthy food choices; choosing smaller portions. 

Method: Self report surveys

Timeline: pre/post program implementation


Intermediate Outcome: Chronic Disease Prevention

Indicator: Number of individuals who reported: one or more health indicators improved (cholesterol, blood pressure, body mass index, blood glucose, etc.)

Method: Self report survey

Timeline: 3 months following program


Long-term Outcome: Availability/Access to healthy lifestyle choices

Indicator: Number of communities, healthy coalitions, or organizations who reported implementing policy, system, and/or environmental changes to promote healthy eating an active living. 

Method: Self report survey

Timeline: 6 months following program


Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Communities

Project or Activity: Policy, Systems, and Environmental Approaches

Content or Curriculum: Faithful Families, Healthy Coalitions, Story Walk, Shared Space Arrangements, Trail Development, Active Community Toolkit, Be more Guide, resources for early care and education settings. 

Inputs: Volunteers, grant funding, faith-based organizations, community partners, key stake holders, elected officials, FCS agent, paid staff, CES resources and publications. 

Date: Ongoing projects throughout the year


Audience: Families and Individuals, General Public

Project or Activity: Chronic Disease Prevention

Content or Curriculum: Publications, Health Bulletins, Cook Together Eat Together, Mastering Food Choices, Dining with Diabetes, Fit Blue, Faithful Families, Body Balance, PIU, WIN, Kick Kentucky Cancer, Keys to Embracing Aging

Inputs: Programmatic materials, paid staff, community partners, faith-based organizations, health coalitions, healthcare providers, health department, non-profits, schools, company health and wellness, homemakers, community centers, etc. 

Date: Ongoing projects throughout the year


Audience: Facebook and Social Media Users/General Public

Project or Activity: Social media posts and/or virtual programming regarding promotion of healthy lifestyles and communities

Content or Curriculum: various research based resources

Inputs: UK Specialists, paid Extension Staff, social media outlets

Date: 2021-2024




Success Stories

4-H Virtual Run/Walk Events

Author: Kindra Jones

Major Program: Health

 Each year the Grayson County 4-H Council hosts a series of 5K events that are a part of the community festivals; Grayson County Freedom Festival, Clarkson Honey Festival, and Hometown Christmas. These 5K events have served as the primary fundraising events for the 4-H Council and 4-H Clubs. At the events, the club members are encouraged to be part of the route crew, which entails duties such as handing out water to the participants, giving directions, and calling times. Those that show up

Full Story

Wallace Avenue Community Garden Project has Lasting Impact

Author: Whitney Carman

Major Program: Local Food Systems

In 2017, the Partners in Health Coalition reached out to partner with the organization to collaborate an effort to research, design and create a community garden. TLRMC (Now Owensboro Health Twin Lakes) was generous enough to donate land behind the hospital which is centrally located in the community. Local businesses and farmers donated dirt, compost, materials, and time to clear off and construct the raised bed sites. They created 12 raised bed sites, 8 large (48 square feet) and 4 small (24 s

Full Story
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