Encouraging the Adoption of Healthy Lifestyles and Health MaintenancePlan of Work

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Laurel County CES

Title:
Encouraging the Adoption of Healthy Lifestyles and Health Maintenance
MAP:
Health and Wellness
Agents Involved:
Adkins, O'Bryan, Sigmon, Williams
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Substance Use Prevention and Recovery General
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Food Preparation and Preservation
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Nutrition and Food Systems General
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Active Living and Health Promotions General
Situation:

The obesity epidemic threatens the quality and years of life of Kentuckians. The obesity rate in Kentucky increased 90 percent over the last 15 years and thirty percent of individuals in the Commonwealth report no leisure-time physical activity. These individuals are at an increased risk for many chronic health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some types of cancers. Increased consumption of unhealthy food, stress, and built environments that promote physical inactivity are largely responsible for the obesity epidemic. As a result, Kentuckians, including youth, are dying from heart disease and cancer at higher rates than all Americans and they have a lower life expectancy, 75.5 years, compared to 78 years for Americans. Besides high obesity rates, Kentucky youth are also facing high rates of substance abuse, bullying and safety concerns. Early substance use in childhood/adolescence affects later drug use.   

Long-Term Outcomes:


Intermediate Outcomes:


Initial Outcomes:
Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Participants will gain knowledge of healthy lifestyle choices.

Indicator: Individuals, families and groups will invest time and resources in delivering the programs

Method: survey

Timeline: July - June


Intermediate Outcome: Participants will make healthier food choices and increase the amount of physical activity in their lives.

Indicator: Behavioral changes will lead to improvement in the quality of life.

Method: pre-post test evaluation

Timeline: July-June


Long-term Outcome: Community health and economy is strengthened through efforts of local leadership

Indicator: There will be a measurable decline in obesity, chronic disease and substance use among citizens in Laurel County.

Method: Number of local policy changes as a result of Extension programs

Timeline: July-June

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: 4-H Youth

Project or Activity: 4-H Healthy Foods, Cooking and Food Preservation

Content or Curriculum: Teen Cuisine, Put it Up, Cooking 101, microwave cooking

Inputs: 4-H Agents, 4-H assistant, volunteers

Date: Summer, Fall


Audience: 4-H Youth

Project or Activity: 4-H Health Day Events

Content or Curriculum: National 4-H Health materials

Inputs: Extension agents, staff, volunteers

Date: February 2019


Audience: 4-H Youth

Project or Activity: Pre-prom Mock Accident and Trial (Substance Abuse Prevention Program)

Content or Curriculum: Truth and Consequences curriculum; ASAP, UNITE

inputs: 4-H agent, Laurel County ASAP Board, Local emergency agencies, local high schools

Date: April, May 2019


Audience: 4-H Youth

Project or Activity: 4-H School Programs

Content or Curriculum: 4-H curriculum

Inputs: 4-H agents, 4-H assistant, volunteers, local schools

Date: September-May


Audience: General public

Project or Activity: Cook Together, Eat Together

Content or Curriculum: FCS Curriculum

Inputs: FCS agent, EFNEP, state FCS specialists

Date: Fall


Audience: SNAP eligible audiences

Project or Activity: EFNEP

Content or Curriculum: NEP curriculum

Inputs: FCS Agent, EFNEP, state NEP

Date: ongoing


Audience: General Public

Project or Activity: Holiday Cooking School

Content or Curriculum: FCS curriculum

Inputs: Extension Agents and Local Organizations

Date: November


Audience: General Public

Project or Activity: Small Steps to Health and Wealth

Content or Curriculum: SSHW

Inputs: FCS

Date: January - June


Audience: General Public

Project or Activity: Food Preservation Programs

Content or Curriculum: FCS Curriculum, Victory Garden materials

Inputs: FCS Agent

Date: Summer


Audience: General Public

Project or Activity: Farmers Feast

Content or Curriculum: Plate it Up KY

Inputs: Extension Agent, God's Pantry Food Bank, Farmers Market

Date: August


Audience: Low income family

Project or Activity: WIC FMNP

Content or Curriculum: KDA

Inputs: Extension Agents, Farmers Market, Health Department

Date July-Oct.


Audience: General Public

Project or Activity; Victory Garden

Content or Curriculum: KDA, UK

Inputs: Extension Agents, Community Garden

Date June-Oct.


Audience: Youth, General Public 

Project or Activity: To Go Bags

Content or Curriculum: UK Extension Pubs

Inputs: Extension Agents, Staff

Date: Monthly






Success Stories

Couch Potato Family Challenge During COVID 19

Author: Judith O'Bryan

Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General

According to the Center for Disease Control 30% of Kentucky adults report getting no physical activity and over ½ are overweight.  With the onset of the pandemic in 2020 many families were not getting any physical activity and adding on weight by stress eating.  With the importance of physical activity in maintaining a healthier life, the Laurel County Family and Consumer Sciences agent offered a 12-week newsletter based walking program designed for families who have not be

Full Story

Farmers Market Nutrition Voucher Program

Author: Bonnie Sigmon

Major Program: Local Food Systems

Individuals who have redeemed the vouchers at the market have indicated their appreciation for the opportunity to prepare fresh fruits and vegetables for their families.

Full Story

Programs on the Go

Author: Lora Davidson

Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General

Through the COVID-19 Pandemic, the entire state of Kentucky has gone through various degrees of being "shut down".  We as Extension workers tried to find ways that we could still offer programming and valuable information to our communities, even if it were not in person.  With the Grab-N-Go program, the FCS Agent in Harlan County was able to provide programs that participants could simply stop by the office and grab a bag to take with them.  During the month of June 202

Full Story
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