Extension
It Starts With Us
Growing Trigg County's Families
Improve Individual and Family Development
Cecelia Hostilo
Family Development General
"School readiness" is a broad term that refers to multiple precursor cognitive, physical, and social-emotional skills that indicate young children are prepared to learn and thrive in the school environment. A wide body of research shows a strong foundation in school readiness is indicative of school success. Emerging research also indicates that there is a synergistic effect when early learning activities activate physical and cognitive skills simultaneously, as opposed to doing so in isolation. However, only 61% of children in Trigg County are deemed "school ready" when they enter kindergarten. These numbers indicate a need for programs that support early childhood development.
Kinship care is a fact of life for 96,000 children in Kentucky. Data shows that 461 children in Trigg County live in homes where they are being raised by a grandparent or another relative. Kinship care providers need support.
- Increase the number of children who are "kindergarten ready" in Trigg County.
- Improve academic success for children in Trigg County.
- Increase learning opportunities and more preschool learning activities outside of the home.
- Increase training opportunities for workers at child care and preschool centers.
- Increase caregiver advocacy for children in their care including, medical, social, and educational services.
- Parents understand the importance of developmentally appropriate play to their child's academic success.
- Improve child's social/emotional, gross and fine motor, and literacy skills.
- Networking system for grandparents and other family members involved in raising children.
Outcome: Trigg County families learn fun age appropriate activities to aid in their child's healthy development a,d self-management skills.
Indicator: Number of parents who expressed learning new activities to engage their children at home.
Method: Laugh and Learn Play Dates Survey
Timeline: on-going
Intermediate Outcome: Increase number of children who are "kindergarten ready" in Trigg County
Indicator: Parent and Center reporting of improved readiness skills
Method: Kentucky Governor's Office of Early Childhood Kindergarten Readiness Results
Timeline: annual publication date
Outcome: Increased skills and resources of caregivers to provide effective care for young relatives
Indicator: Number of individuals who report improved skills/knowledge in aspects of kinship care.
Method: Parenting a Second Time Around Evaluations
Timeline: post program evaluatioin
Audience: Preschool families
Project or Activity: Extension Newsletters
Content or Curriculum: Preschool Pages, Healthy Choices, Youth Health Bulletin
Inputs: Extension specialists, agents
Date: on-going
Audience: Preschool Children and Parents
Project or Activity: Parent/Child Interaction Opportunities
Content or Curriculum: Laugh and Learn curriculum, Cook Together Eat Together Curriculum
Inputs: FCS agent, library staff, Early Childhood Council
Date: on-going
Audience: Child Care Providers
Project or Activity: Required training hours
Content or Curriculum: Various Extension resources, CYTTAP resources, IMIL resources
Inputs: FCS agent, community agencies, Extension Specialists
Date: on-going
Audience: Parents and Caregivers
Project or Activity: Parents and Caregivers Support Groups
Content or Curriculum: Parenting a Second Time Around, Parent Cafes
Inputs: FCS agent, Early Childhood Councils, community agencies, Extension Specialists
Date: on-going
