Extension
It Starts With Us
Encouraging the Adoption of Healthy Lifestyles and Health Maintenance
Health and Wellness
Davidson, Easley, Williams
Substance Use Prevention and Recovery General
Food Preparation and Preservation
Nutrition and Food Systems General
Active Living and Health Promotions General
The obesity epidemic threatens the quality and years of life of Kentuckians. The obesity rate in Kentucky increased 90 percent over the last 15 years and thirty percent of individuals in the Commonwealth report no leisure-time physical activity. These individuals are at an increased risk for many chronic health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some types of cancers. Increased consumption of unhealthy food, stress, and built environments that promote physical inactivity are largely responsible for the obesity epidemic. As a result, Kentuckians, including youth, are dying from heart disease and cancer at higher rates than all Americans and they have a lower life expectancy, 75.5 years, compared to 78 years for Americans. Besides high obesity rates, Kentucky youth are also facing high rates of substance abuse, bullying and safety concerns. Early substance use in childhood/adolescence affects later drug use.
- the prevention and/or reduction of substance use and its related consequences
- routinely meeting physical activity and dietary recommendations that promote health and wellness
- reduce the rate of chronic disease and obesity
- increased access to healthy food via local farmers market, food retailers and/or home gardens
- generate positive attitudes toward changing lifestyle choices and dietary decisions to be more healthy
- reduce stigma on substance abuse from local community members
- employ healthful cooking methods, feeding practices, and food preservation techniques
- improve food and nutrition-related skills (i.e. gardening, preparation, and preservation techniques, and safe food handling)
- increase awareness about lifestyle choices and chronic disease
- increased knowledge of substance use prevention, addiction and recovery
Initial Outcome: Participants will gain knowledge of healthy lifestyle choices.
Indicator: Individuals, families and groups will invest time and resources in delivering the programs
Method: survey
Timeline: July - June
Intermediate Outcome: Participants will make healthier food choices and increase the amount of physical activity in their lives.
Indicator: Behavioral changes will lead to improvement in the quality of life.
Method: pre-post test evaluation
Timeline: July-June
Long-term Outcome: Community health and economy is strengthened through efforts of local leadership
Indicator: There will be a measurable decline in obesity, chronic disease and substance use among citizens in Laurel County.
Method: Number of local policy changes as a result of Extension programs
Timeline: July-June
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Healthy Foods, Cooking and Food Preservation
Content or Curriculum: Teen Cuisine, Put it Up, Cooking 101, microwave cooking
Inputs: 4-H Agents, 4-H assistant, volunteers
Date: Summer, Fall
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Health Day Events
Content or Curriculum: National 4-H Health materials
Inputs: Extension agents, staff, volunteers
Date: February 2019
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: Pre-prom Mock Accident and Trial (Substance Abuse Prevention Program)
Content or Curriculum: Truth and Consequences curriculum; ASAP, UNITE
inputs: 4-H agent, Laurel County ASAP Board, Local emergency agencies, local high schools
Date: April, May 2019
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H School Programs
Content or Curriculum: 4-H curriculum
Inputs: 4-H agents, 4-H assistant, volunteers, local schools
Date: September-May
Audience: General public
Project or Activity: Cook Together, Eat Together
Content or Curriculum: FCS Curriculum
Inputs: FCS agent, EFNEP, state FCS specialists
Date: Fall
Audience: SNAP eligible audiences
Project or Activity: EFNEP
Content or Curriculum: NEP curriculum
Inputs: FCS Agent, EFNEP, state NEP
Date: ongoing
Audience: General Public
Project or Activity: Holiday Cooking School
Content or Curriculum: FCS curriculum
Inputs: Extension Agents and Local Organizations
Date: November
Audience: General Public
Project or Activity: Small Steps to Health and Wealth
Content or Curriculum: SSHW
Inputs: FCS
Date: January - June
Audience: General Public
Project or Activity: Food Preservation Programs
Content or Curriculum: FCS Curriculum, Victory Garden materials
Inputs: FCS Agent
Date: Summer
Audience: General Public
Project or Activity: Farmers Feast
Content or Curriculum: Plate it Up KY
Inputs: Extension Agent, God's Pantry Food Bank, Farmers Market
Date: August
Audience: Low income family
Project or Activity: WIC FMNP
Content or Curriculum: KDA
Inputs: Extension Agents, Farmers Market, Health Department
Date July-Oct.
Audience: General Public
Project or Activity; Victory Garden
Content or Curriculum: KDA, UK
Inputs: Extension Agents, Community Garden
Date June-Oct.
Audience: Youth, General Public
Project or Activity: To Go Bags
Content or Curriculum: UK Extension Pubs
Inputs: Extension Agents, Staff
Date: Monthly
Audience: Public
Project or Activity: Vaccination Site
Content or Curriculum: CDC Pubs, FEMA, SNAP Publications
Inputs: Health department, KY Medical Emergency Management, National Guard,
Author: Lora Davidson
Major Program: Nutrition and Food Systems General
Kentucky has one of the highest rates in the nation of food insecurity among older adults at a 17.3%, with the national rate of 10.6%. Over 6.9% of seniors who are 60 years and older are food insecure. This means that 196,000 seniors are eligible for the SNAP program, but only about 32% of these seniors benefit from the program. Studies conducted by Feed America indicates that 16.4% of Laurel County residents are food insecure. To address the needs of older citizens in ou
Author: Lora Davidson
Major Program: Family Development General
The FCS Agent and FCS Team at the Laurel County Extension office decided to host a StoryWalk as a unique and engaging way to promote early literacy and physical activity among the children in their community. The CDC recommends that adolescents who are between the ages of 6-17 years of age, receive at least 6o minutes of physical activity a day. The FCS team recognized the potential of this innovative concept and were able to host this event for the 2nd year in a row that would leave a las
