Breathitt County CES

Title:

Disaster Preparedness in Breathitt County

MAP:

6. Enhance Life Skills and Build Consumer Awareness

Agents Involved:

Reed Graham, Ryan Spicer, Kayla Watts

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Farm Management, Economics and Policy

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Civic Engagement

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Policy, Systems, and Environmental Changes

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Financial Education - General

Situation:

As of June, 2020 the COVID-19 virus had profoundly affected the entire state of Kentucky, including rural Breathitt County. Citizens were both physically/mentally and financially strained.  Reviewing data from outlets such as Kentucky by the Numbers, one can see that most Breathitt County citizens fall into the "most vulnerable" category as outlined by the CDC.  Because of the high aging and unhealthy population, and because of the nature of COVID-19 and nature of other disasters, many Breathitt County citizens were/are not prepared for such events.  Promoting basic life skills and positive personal finance skills prepares Kentuckians for any future life/economic shifts associated with disasters. 

Long-Term Outcomes:

• Number of people who increased profits, reduced expenses, and/or reduced risk
• Better family money management skills, such as reducing debt, increasing savings, and financial planning.
• Increase of environmental changes implemented within communities
• Improved financial capability for Kentuckians, results in better quality of life and stronger families
• Number of volunteers engaged in community service and disaster preparedness projects on a regular basis

Intermediate Outcomes:

• Number of clients who shared information about agriculture and/or environmental issues with elected officials
• Practice one or more resource management behaviors resulting in increased savings or investments.
• Adopt financial planning strategies for short-, mid-, and long-term goals.
• Number of people - youth and adults - that completed a community-based service project related to community preparedness

Initial Outcomes:

• Number of people who increased knowledge of farm health and safety practices
• Increased knowledge and skills related to managing financial resources, including savings, credit, and financial planning.
• Increase financial literacy (knowledge and skills) related to savings and investments.
• Number of people - youth and adults - that indicated they made a lifestyle choice as a result of what they learned through 4-H and other programming

Evaluation:

Outcome:  Increase knowledge and skills related to farm health and safety practices

Indicator: Number of individuals reporting increased levels of

understanding in the area: farm safety, equipment demonstrations, disaster preparation

Method:  Retroactive pre-post 

Timeline:  Following educational workshops and agricultural events

Outcome:  Increased awareness of sound financial behaviors

Indicator(s):  Number of individuals who implemented at least one 

strategy to reduce expenses or manage money

Number of individuals who made a sound financial decision 

(regarding credit, budgeting, savings, and/or debt)

Method:  Retroactive pre-post

Timeline: Following financial education workshops

Outcome:  Increase knowledge and skills related to preparing/following disaster plans for community/home environments

Indicator: Number of individuals reporting increased levels of

understanding in the area: disaster preparedness plans/environmental changes

Method:  Retroactive pre-post 

Timeline:  Following educational workshops

Outcome:  Increased awareness of health and civic engagement opportunities related to disaster preparedness

Indicator(s):  Number of individuals who increased knowledge of and participated in civic engagement opportunities related to disaster preparedness

Method:  Retroactive pre-post

Timeline: Following educational workshops

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Adults, young adults, and teens

Project or Activity: Farm Safety Day

Content or Curriculum: Publications, safety curriculum

Inputs: ANR Agent, Specialists, Community Partners/Councils

Date: Fall/Spring of fiscal year

Audience:  Adults, young adults, and teens

Project or Activity: Money Habitudes Workshop

Content or Curriculum: Money Habitudes

Inputs: FCS Agent, curriculum publications and resources, 

 Date: On-Going

Audience:  Adults

Project or Activity: Home and Community Environment Disaster Preparedness Series

Content or Curriculum: CDC Materials, Housing and Environment Publications

Inputs: FCS Agent, curriculum publications and resources, 

 Date: On-Going

Audience:  Youth

Project or Activity:  Science/Environmental Workshops

Content or Curriculum: 4-H conservation materials, 4-H health curriculum

Inputs: 4-H Agent, curriculum publications and resources, 

 Date: On-Going

Success Stories