Development of Positive Families and Healthy LifestylesPlan of Work

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Casey County CES

Title:
Development of Positive Families and Healthy Lifestyles
MAP:
Enhancing Life Skills and Fostering Youth & Family Development
Agents Involved:
FCS, Meagan Klee, Kelsey Woodrum
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Substance Use and Mental Health - CED
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Family Development General
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Financial Education - General
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Active Living and Health Promotions General
Situation:

As we progress in to the 21st century a number of factors have gained prevalence within Family and Consumer Science driven by the increase of online and mobile shopping, the rise of video based at home tutorials, and the shifting family structures as evident by 17% of stay-at-home parents being fathers. 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. 

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.

Casey County is set in south central rural Kentucky. Limited resources and education and lower social economic status contribute to 30.5% of families that fall below the poverty line. Drug use is also a concern among community members, especially youth. During 2015-2017 there were a total of 17 fatal overdoses and 217 non-fatal overdoses. Marijuana use, alcohol consumption, and vaping are of great concern among students according to the Kentucky Incentives for Prevention (KIP) Survey and positive drug tests among students. Prescription drug abuse and the use of meth are more prevalent among older adults.

Based on data from the Casey County School System, over 30% of all students are being raised by non-traditional/non-biological parents (i.e. grandparents, aunts/uncles, foster parents). Some non-traditional parents lack the up-to-date information and education to effectively parent these youth in current times.

Long-Term Outcomes:
Intermediate Outcomes:
Initial Outcomes:
Evaluation:
Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Casey County Adults

Project/Activity: Financial Management Series

Content/Curriculum: Money Habituates, Making Your Money Go Further

Inputs: Family Resource Centers, Youth Services Center, Extension Resources

Date: Fall


Audience: Non-Traditional Parents

Project/Activity: Relatives Raising Relatives

Content/Curriculum: FCS Resources, Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, PASTA

Inputs: Extension Staff, Public Library, Youth Services Center, Family Resource Centers, Local Volunteers

Date: August - July


Audience: 9th Grade Students

Project/Activity: Truth & Consequences: The Choice is Yours

Content/Curriculum: Truth & Consequences: The Choice is Yours

Inputs: Extension Staff, Youth Services Center, Family Resource Centers, Local Law Enforcement, Agency for Substance Abuse Policy, Circuit Clerk, Local Volunteers, Casey County School System

Date: November/December


Audience: WHE 3rd Grade Students

Project/Activity: Culture of Health Program through Robert Wood Johnson Grant

Content/Curriculum: Plan. Eat. Move, Health Rocks, Professor Popcorn, Dental and Personal Hygiene lessons

Inputs: Casey Health Ambassadors, UK RWJF Committee, ASAP, CYC, Casey Health Ambassadors, WHE teachers

Date: September – May

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