Extension
It Starts With Us
Development of Positive Families and Healthy Lifestyles
Enhancing Life Skills and Fostering Youth & Family Development
FCS, Meagan Klee, Kelsey Woodrum
Substance Use and Mental Health - CED
Family Development General
Financial Education - General
Active Living and Health Promotions General
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.
- Participants will reduce their long term risk for substance use and abuse.
- Participants will make financially secure decisions when spending and saving money.
- Reduction in behavioral issues among students raised by non-traditional parents.
- Participants make positive changes in their lives to reduce long-term sickness.
- Data shows a decline in number of youth involved in substance abuse practices.
- Participants demonstrate increased knowledge in making smart financial decisions.
- Participants will implement up-to-date parenting skills.
- Participants implement healthy life practices to reduce/eliminate disease or sickness.
- Participants will learn the consequences of substance abuse.
- Participants will learn how to make smart and safe financial decisions.
- Participants will learn effective and efficient parenting skills.
- Participants will learn ways to make healthier life choices.
- Long-Term Evaluation
- Number of youths who completed resume or interview through 4-H programs.
- Number of individuals reducing/eliminating the use of illegal substances.
- Number of participants report making smarter financial decisions.
- Number of non-traditional parents having necessary resources to effectively parent.
- Number of individuals reporting reduction/elimination of diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and other chronic sicknesses.
Intermediate Evaluation
- Number of youth who participated in college and career educational programs.
Initial Evaluation
- Number of youth who received the 4-H/UK CAFE marketing materials.
- 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?”
- 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?”
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
