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Contact Information

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu

Impacts

Contact Information

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu




Fiscal Year:
Jul 1, 2023 - Jun 30, 2024


HealthPlan of Work

Marion County CES

Title:
Health
MAP:
Empowering youth to reach their full potential
Agents Involved:
Brittany Thomas
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Health
Situation:

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. 

Long-Term Outcomes:
  • Reduced fatalities 

  • Reduced number of children in foster care 

  • Reduced incarceration 

  • Increased number of youth maintaining positive health habits; 

  • Increased number of youth at a lower risk for serious disease and illness; 

  • Increased number of youth at a lower risk for physical and emotional distress 

  • Reduce the number of youth reporting drug, alcohol, and tobacco use 


Intermediate Outcomes:
  • Increased adoption and mastery of healthy behaviors that lead to a healthy lifestyle  

  • New coalitions developed to address SUC and MH 

  • Improved access and utilization of resources 

  • Improved perceived stress and ability to cope 

  • Youth will contribute to their communities 

  • Youth will practice refusal skills,  

  • Youth will intervene to prevent use/abuse   

  • All agents trained in YMHFA 

Initial Outcomes:
  • Improved in awareness of health concerns for youth 

  • Improved education about SUD and MH disease 

  • Improved education about diversity and Inclusion  

  • Reduced stigma of individuals with SUD and MH disease 

  • Improved understanding of the consequences of risk behaviors 

  • Promote optimal physical, social and emotional health habits 

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome:

  • Outcome to be Evaluated 

  • Number of youth who indicated they learned about healthy food choices through 4-H 

  • Method of Evaluation 

  • Number of youth who were educated on health and well-being through 4-H programs? (KOSA) 

  • Number of youth who indicated they made healthy lifestyle choices as are result of what they learned through 4-H programming? (PRACTICE) 

  • Number of youth who indicated they increased their daily number of servings of fruits and vegetables eaten as a result of 4-H programs? (PRACTICE) 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?” (SEEC) 

  • 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?” (SEEC) 

Indicator:

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Timeline:

Intermediate Outcome:

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Long-term Outcome:

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Learning Opportunities:

Audience:  Youth ages 9-18  

Project or Activity:  Physical Health   

Content or Curriculum:  4-H Dancefit, Get Moving Kentucky, Keeping Fit & Healthy, SPARK, Steps to a Healthy Teen, Bicycling for fun, Wheels in Motion, Outdoor Adventures  

Inputs: Health Department, FRYSC 

Date:  Fall and Spring Breaks and Summer 2022


Audience:  Youth ages 9-18  

Project or Activity:  Addiction Prevention   

Content or Curriculum:  Health Rocks!, YMHFA   

Inputs:  Teachers, 4-H Agent, Community Partners

Date:  Fall 2022


Audience:  Youth ages 9-18  

Project or Activity:  

Content or Curriculum:

Inputs:

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Success Stories

Truth and Consequences

Author: Brittany Thomas

Major Program: Substance Use Prevention and Recovery General

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), early use of drugs increases a person’s chances of more serious drug abuse and addiction. Drugs change brains, and this can lead to addiction and other serious problems. Because of this, preventing early use of drugs or alcohol may reduce the risk of progressing to later abuse and addiction. The number of diverted prescriptions and illegal drugs, overdoses, thefts, arrests, court cases, and medical/financial consequences of drug abu

Full Story

Marion County Promotes Safe Canning Practices

Author: Brittany Thomas

Major Program: Food Preparation and Preservation

In 2018, health departments reported 242 cases of botulism to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) due to home canning practices. In an effort to promote safe canning practices in the Marion County community, the Family and Consumer Science Agent presented a beginner’s canning class.Eleven participants, one male and ten females, attended the beginner’s canning class. Out of the eleven participants, seven have never canned before, and four have canned using only the wa

Full Story