Extension
It Starts With Us
Improve Individual and Family Development
Thriving Individuals, Strong Families
4H, FCS, Fine Arts, ANR
Family Development General
Family and Consumer Science
Leadership
Civic Engagement
The definition of families has changed throughout time. Family circles and bonds are just as important as ever. There are 12,490 households in Whitley County that define themselves as a family and family unit, according to the U.S. Census. There are an average of 3 people living in a household in Whitley County.
Kids Count data shows that Whitley County ranks 98 of 120 of children living in low-income situations. It also shows that almost 31.5% of Whitley County students enter college with academic needs. The aging population is increasing in number and by the year 2030, it is projected the population of those who are aged 65 and older will increase by 44%.
Educating the family on how to make important decisions concerning aging, school readiness, health, and finances is a key role that Extension plays in each of these homes. It is imperative to educate both individuals and youth how to be dependable leaders by teaching leadership through serving as part of a team, club or council. These individuals take the leadership skills and education learned from Cooperative Extension programs and have more successful homes, careers, and relationships that impact the future.
Community environment promotes healthy behaviors where people live, learn, work, and play
Better family money management skills, such as reducing debt, increasing savings, and financial planning.
More effective employees and community leaders.
Developing ways for youth to serve as positive role models in their communities
Implement one or more practices that will improve:
· Disaster preparedness
· Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
· Home Safety
· Leadership
· Healthy Aging
· Parenting skills
Resiliency in children
Participate in an activity or event that improves building stronger families.
Change knowledge, opinions, skills, and/or aspirations in understanding of issues related to:
· Disaster preparedness
· Pest management
· Going green
· Home safety
· Money Management
· Leadership
· Healthy Aging
· Parenting Skills
- 4H Leadership
- 4H Volunteer
Long Term Outcome: Create strong and safe homes within environments that promote and support the physical and mental well-being of families throughout the life cycle.
Indicator: Number of individuals who implement the practice of positive physical and mental activities in their lifestyle.
Method: Pre/Post Written evaluation. Change in the health/disease data from Kentucky County Healthcare Profile (CEDIK).
Timeline: 5-8 Years
Intermediate Evaluation:
Outcome: Demonstration of skills that would improve family issues relating to Money Management, Aging, Parenting, etc.
Indicator: Number of families attending classes related to family issues and communicating understanding of topic.
Method: Pre/Post Written Evaluations, Attendance Sheets
Timeline: 2-3 years
Initial Outcome Evaluation:
Outcome: Families identify practices that will improve health and well being of both them as individuals and as a family.
Indicator: Number of families and individuals who respond to classes offered to help implement positive lifestyle changes.
Method: Pre/Post Written Evaluation, Oral Evaluations
Timeline: Immediate at delivery of program
Audience: Ages 65 and older
Project or Activity: Embracing Life as We Age
Content or Curriculum: Keys to Embracing Aging, Stand Up to Falling, Body Balance
Inputs: FCS Agent, FCS curriculum, community partners
Date: Spring 2022
Audience: All ages
Project or Activity: Disease Prevention/Early Detection
Content or Curriculum: Alzheimer’s Association 10 Warning Signs/UAD
Inputs: Alzheimer's Association representative, FCS Agent, FCS Program Assistant
Date: Summer 2021 and 2022
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Disease Prevention/Early Detection
Content or Curriculum: Dining with Diabetes, Fit Blue, Health Partners, Diabetes Prevention Program
Inputs: FCS Agent, Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center, UK Specialist, FCS Program Assistant
Date: February 2022
Audience: School Age Individuals
Project or Activity: 4H School and Community Clubs, 4H Camp, State 4H Leadership
Content or Curriculum: State Level 4-H Leadership Activities/Programs & Curricula for Elementary (E), Middle (M) and High (H) School Students
Inputs: Agents, 4H Program Assistant
Date: On going
Audience: 4-H club members & other youth
Project or Activity: Speech
Content or Curriculum: 4-H curriculum
Inputs: Teachers, volunteers, agent
Date: Spring
Audience: 4-H club members & other youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Demonstrations program
Content or Curriculum: 4-H communications curriculum
Inputs: Teachers, volunteers, agent
Date: Spring
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: UK Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences Academy
Content or Curriculum: UK pubs and other agency materials.
Inputs: specialists and agents.
Date: Quarterly meetings.
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Win With Wood
Content or Curriculum: UK pubs and other agency materials.
Inputs: specialists and agents.
Date: Annual event.
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Forestry contest in conjunction with the Kentucky Wood Expo
Content or Curriculum: UK pubs and other agency materials.
Inputs: specialists and agents.
Date: Annual event.
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4H forestry
Content or Curriculum: UK pubs and other agency materials.
Inputs: specialists and agents.
Date: ongoing.
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Kentucky Furbearer Program
Content or Curriculum: UK pubs and other agency materials.
Inputs: Agents
Date: ongoing.
Audience: youth livestock producers
Project or Activities: 4H Livestock Club
Content: UK pubs
Inputs: agents
Audience: Families and Children
Project or Activity: Early Childhood Development through Creativity
Content or Curriculum: Art to the Heart-KET
Inputs: Fine Arts, Whitley County Health Department, UK, Volunteers
Date: 2020-2024
Audience: Whitley County Families
Project or Activity: Parent Child Art Classes
Content or Curriculum: UK curriculum, CEDIK
Inputs: Fine Arts, 4-H, FCS
Date: 2020-2024
Audience: Whitley County Families
Project or Activity: After School Art Classes
Content or Curriculum: Extension Fine Arts, CEDIK, KET
Inputs: Fine Arts, Artists
Date: During school year -2023-2024
Audience: Teens
Project or Activity: YELP Arts
Content or Curriculum: YELP
Inputs: Fine Arts, 4-H, Volunteers, Locally trained Artists, teens, local businesses, community leaders
Date: During school year 2024
Audience: Families and Children
Project or Activity: Early Childhood Development through Creativity
Content or Curriculum: Art to the Heart-KET, Fine Arts Curriculum
Inputs: Fine Arts, Whitley County Health Department, UK, Volunteers
Date: Summer 2020-2024
Audience: School Age
Project or Activity: Extension Field Days
Content or Curriculum: UK publication, curriculum
Inputs: Fine Arts Agent, UK faculty, Volunteers, Artists, 21st century, 4-H, FCS, Horticulture, Agriculture, SNAP, EFNEP
Date: Fall 2022
Audience: 6-12 Youth
Project or Activity: Rookie Cooking Camp
Content or Curriculum: Teen Cuisine based curriculum delivered as a camp, after school/school program, or club
Inputs: FCS agent, NEP assistant, NEP staff, KSU SNAP Assistant
Date: Summer 2021 and 2022
Audience: Whitley County Residents
Project or Activity: Halloween Trick or Treat event
Content or Curriculum: UK pubs
Inputs: Fine Arts, 4-H, FCS, AG
Date: Yearly October 31
Author: Matti Coffey
Major Program: Financial Education - General
Holidays can be stressful and exciting at the same time. For most of us, this means more family time, more traveling, more shopping, and spending. The Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Agents from Bell, Laurel, Rockcastle, and Whitley provided eight counties with strategies on how to deal with stress, incorporate more family time, and take care of yourself. The Holiday Ideas program has been an annual program that covers Harlan, Bell, Clay, Knox, Rockcastle, Laurel, Whitley, Jackson counti
