Extension
It Starts With Us
Strengthening Families & Enhancing Lifestyle Choices
Individual and Family Development
Stearns & Duvall
Family Development General
Economic Development and Workforce Preparation – 4-H Youth Development
Family and Consumer Science
Substance Use and Mental Health - FCS
Adults in our community lack the education, life, and workforce skills necessary to holding good jobs and creating healthy and stable foundations for families. An estimated 25.7% of the residents live in Clinton County below the poverty level and the median household income in 2018 was $31,115 (U.S.Census QuickFacts). Furthermore, U.S. Census Quick Facts documents that 73.1% of Clinton County residents graduate from high school while only 10.1% have a Bachelor’s degree or higher. Additionally, the 2020 County Health Rankings reveal a 5.5% unemployment rate for our community along with 8% of the population under age 65 being uninsured. Currently, 22.5% of the population is under age 18. When you look at our youngest citizens, kindergarten readiness results continue to show that children in our community fall below state averages for the past several years in academic, language, and physical development as well as social-emotional/self-help development. Data from the 2019 Early Childhood Profile indicates that only 42.7% of children in Clinton County are ready to enter kindergarten. When you look at the other end of the spectrum, as baby boomers are entering retirement, between 2010 and 2025 the population ages 65 and over in Clinton County are projected to increase by 22.7% (KY By the Numbers, Clinton County Data Profile).
Furthermore, 2019 Community Assessment results indicated the following prioritized issues in the Youth and Families category: more youth life skills training (money management, life decision making, etc.); more support for prevention of school violence and bullying; and better family skills in reducing debt, increasing savings and financial planning. Respondents also prioritized more jobs paying good wages and benefits in the community assessment which is subsequent to work in this area along with continued collaboration and partnerships with stakeholders.
Families are able to:
- Care for the physical and mental health and well-being of each individual over the long term
- Foster the optimal development of children and youth
- Practice parental leadership skills
- Access community resources when needed
- Improved family money management skills such as reduced debt, increased savings and financial planning
- More effective community leaders and employees
- Increased number of children who are kindergarten and school ready
The number of people who:
- Set and used family rules, routines and limited screen time
- Reduced stress levels, made time for selves, and/or made wise decisions about money, time, etc.
- Practice skills to strengthen and sustain relationships
- Accessed community agencies and resources when needed
- Engaged in community outreach activities
- Practice one or more resource management behaviors resulting in increased savings or investment
- Increased opportunities and access to more preschool learning activities outside the home
- Increase number of learning activities experienced at home
- Address mental health needs
- Prepare for caregiving
- Practice better employee “soft/essential skills” such as communication, networking, teamwork, time management, problem solving, etc.
- Improved employability through practical living skills and continued education practices
The number of people who:
- Commits to set family rules regarding eating together, limiting screen time, active play and exercise, set routines
- Intends to manage stress; make time for self; listen, talk, bond with family members; read with child daily; teach responsibility in use of money, time, etc.
- Understand the importance of developmentally appropriate play to their child’s academic success
- Increase awareness of key points of adolescent development
- Increase knowledge and skills related to managing financial resources, including savings, credit, and financial planning
- Improve employability through work and practical living skills and continued education practices.
- Learn that caregiver preparation is important
- Learn how to make healthy lifestyle choices
Initial Outcome: Participants will set family rules/routines and learn concepts related to discipline and punishment. They will also learn how to use preventive and positive discipline techniques. Individuals will learn normal changes related to aging and how to adapt healthy lifestyles. Individuals will demonstrate increased knowledge of soft/essential skills. Increased awareness of sound financial behaviors.
Indicator: Individuals will identify concepts learned and discuss positive changes implemented in families. Number of individuals reporting increased levels of understanding of soft/essential skills. Number of individuals who implemented at least one strategy to reduce expenses or save money.
Method: Pre/Post Evaluations and self-report
Timeline: Following programs
Intermediate Outcome: Participants will utilize family routines and rules and practice skills to enhance relationships. They will report using preventive and positive discipline techniques in response to misbehavior. Individuals will adapt healthy lifestyles related to aging and longevity. Individuals will practice improved workforce communication and networking skills. Number of individuals who implemented at least one strategy to reduce expenses or save money.
Indicator: Family members will report strategies implemented and changes in individuals and family dynamics and behaviors. Number of individuals who practice improved workforce skills and/or sound financial decision-making skills.
Method: Evaluations/self-reports and follow-up surveys
Timeline: Following programs
Long-term Outcome: Family members will build personal strengths and self-control, interpersonal communication, and life skills. They will also implement positive coping skills and stress management techniques.
Indicator: Members will deal with stressful situations in a positive manner by using skills learned and will indicate a decrease in the number negative outbursts and conflicts within the family unit.
Method: Program pre/post evaluations and self-report/follow-up evaluations
Timeline: Beginning and end of program and follow-up surveys
Audience: General Public
Project or Activity: Media (news articles, newsletters, radio spots, social media)
Content or Curriculum: Exclusives, FCS Agent News Releases, publications, etc.
Inputs: KY CES Publications and Resources, Extension Specialists, eXtension, USDA, CDC, etc.
Date: Monthly July 2023-June 2024
Audience: Families with Young Children
Project or Activity: Anchors & Paws Community Early Childhood Council (write grant and coordinate implementation of grant activities for combined 3 county council-Clinton, Cumberland, & Russell)
Content or Curriculum: Dolly Parton Imagination Library, LEAP, FCS Extension curricula, NAEYC, eXtension, etc.
Inputs: Governor's Office of Early Childhood and grant funds, FRYSC, Council Members, Community Partners, Schools, etc.
Date: 2023-2024
Audience: General Public
Project or Activity: Financial Management
Content or Curriculum: Money Habitudes, Good Credit Game, Real Skills for Everyday Life, various Extension publications, money smart curriculum and investment workshops, etc.
Inputs: Local banks, high school FCS department, community partners, Extension staff and resources
Date: 2023-2024
Audience: Older Adults
Project or Activity: Safe & Defensive Driver Education
Content or Curriculum: KY State Police and AARP
Inputs: Kentucky State Police, AARP, Retired Teachers Association, community partners, media
Date: TBD
Audience: Grandparents and Other Relatives Raising Children
Project or Activity: KINnections (Relatives Raising Children) Program-PASTA
Content or Curriculum: PASTA, FCS publications, curriculum, etc.
Inputs: FRYSC, schools, churches, community partners
Date: 2023-2024
Audience: High School Students
Project or Activity: Adulting 101
Content or Curriculum: FCS publications
Inputs: Extension Staff, Homemakers, volunteers, schools, etc.
Date: TBD
Audience: Youth and Adults
Project or Activity: Personal Enrichment & Life Skills Programs
Content or Curriculum: FCS publications, local resources, etc.
Inputs: Extension Homemakers, volunteers, churches, Extension Staff, schools
Date: TBD
Audience: Extension Homemakers/General Public
Project or Activity: Homemaker Leader Lesson Trainings/Community Workshops (specific topics TBA)
Content or Curriculum: KEHA approved lessons, FCS publications, agent developed materials
Inputs: Extension Staff, Homemakers, volunteers, churches, etc.
Date: August 2023-May 2024
Audience: Clinton County Families
Project or Activity: Parent Education & Family Enrichment
Content or Curriculum: Nurturing Parenting, Home is Where the Health Is, FCS publications, NEP materials, etc.
Inputs: DCBS, Adanta, schools, FRYSC, etc.
Date: 2023-2024
Audience: Youth and Adults
Project or Activity: Positive Employability/Career Development Programs
Content or Curriculum: Positive Employability
Inputs: Chamber, local businesses, schools, local government, volunteers, Area Technology Center, career coaches
Date: 2023-2024
Audience: Early Childhood age students and families
Project or Activity: Laugh & Learn/Ready
Content or Curriculum: Laugh & Learn/various Extension curricula appropriate for age group
Inputs: Early Childhood Center, FRYSC, 21st Century, churches, etc.
Date: Monthly
Audience: All ages
Project or Activity: Bingocize
Content or curriculum: Bingocize
Inputs: Health Coalition, Nursing Home, Senior Center, Extension Homemakers
Date: Fall 2023 & Spring 2024
Author: Christy Stearns
Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General
Physical inactivity is a contributing factor to the 41% adult obesity rate in Clinton County (2024 County Health Rankings & Roadmaps). Simple physical activity for families that doesn’t feel like strenuous exercise can be the starting place for the development of healthier lifestyle choices. The Clinton County Extension Office sponsored its annual Pumpkin Walk event to create an awareness of physical activity opportunities and other health resources available in the community
Author: Christy Stearns
Major Program: Financial Education - General
In a successful holiday preparation event, 55 participants joined county extension agents from the Lake Cumberland Area for "Kickstart the Holidays," a day-long holiday preparation event. "Kickstart the Holidays" covered a range of holiday-related topics which enabled individuals and families to better manage their finances during the holiday season, thus helping them avoid overspending and financial stress. Additionally, these classes promote a deeper understanding and appre
