Clinton County CES

Title:

Healthy & Active Lifestyles: Nutrition & Food Access, Physical & Mental Health

MAP:

Improve Physical and Mental Health

Agents Involved:

Stearns, Guffey, & Duvall

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Active Living and Health Promotions General

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Substance Use Prevention and Recovery General

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Health

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Nutrition and Food Systems General

Situation:

According to the 2020 County Health Rankings, 23% of residents in Clinton County smoke, 35% of residents are obese, and 8% of the population under age 65 is uninsured. Unfortunately our community’s overall health ranking has declined to 93^rd in the state for health factors which addresses clinical care, health behaviors, as well as social and economic factors. Additionally, an estimated 25.7% of the residents live below the poverty level and the median household income in 2018 was $31,115 (U.S.Census QuickFacts). Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap documents that the estimated food insecurity rate for the county is 16%. With such negative trends of chronic disease, individuals and families need tools and environments to support healthy and active lifestyle choices. 

The data parallels what our residents know about our needs and the status of our community. Community Assessment results indicated the following prioritized issues in the Health and Wellness category: fewer chronic diseases (diabetes, heart disease, cancer, etc.); more sources for buying safe, affordable, fresh local foods; and improved affordability of health care insurance. Extension must continue to take an active role in addressing these issues as well as others related to active living and health behaviors. 

Long-Term Outcomes:

• Reduce the rate of chronic disease and obesity 
• Community environment promotes healthy behaviors where people live, learn, work, and play
• Increase in the practice and promotion of physical activity and healthy eating daily
• Instances of food insecurity will decline in the community 
• The prevention and/or reduction of substance abuse and its related consequences 

Intermediate Outcomes:

• Generate positive attitudes toward changing lifestyle choices to be more healthy
• Decrease tobacco and/or substance use
• Employ healthful cooking methods, feeding practices, and food preservation techniques
• Practice healthy food choices and strengthen individuals’ ability to build healthy eating plans and patterns
• Increased practice of physical activity in families and communities and decreased time spent on sedentary behaviors
• Increase in production and consumption of locally grown products 
• Increased participation in the farmers market by both vendors and patrons 
• Eligible families participate in nutrition assistance programs (SNAP, WIC, Summer Feeding, etc.) and utilize benefits including those for the farmers market (seniors and WIC)
• 4-H members realize profits from 4-H garden by selling produce at local farmers market

Initial Outcomes:

• Healthy lifestyle choices
• Practice and promotion of daily physical activity
• Reduction of chronic disease
• Gardening and the importance of sustainable local agriculture to health and financial well-being
• Food resource management 
• Increased motivation to be active 
• Improved food and nutrition-related skills (e.g., preparation techniques, safe food handling, gardening, food resource management

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Participants will enhance knowledge of one or more health, nutrition, or physical activity practices Indicator: Number of individuals with goals, intentions, and increased knowledge of making healthy diet choices and participation in physical activity. Number of individuals who gained knowledge of resources that are available for substance abuse as a result of Extension programming. Method: Self-report surveys Timeline: Pre-post implementing curricula or program  Intermediate Outcome:     Increased purchase and consumption of locally grown produce. Increased participation in and utilization of nutrition assistance benefits. Adoption of practices related to enhanced healthy eating and physical activity.  Indicator: Producer sales reports, reports from nutrition assistance programs, changes in 24 hour recalls, physical activity logs, follow-up evaluations with program participants using various evaluation instruments Methods: Program evaluations, sales reports, secondary data from community partners Timeline: Completion of program, market seasons, annual data  Long-term Outcome: Decreased number of obese/overweight youth and adults and reduction in chronic disease. Measurable changes/improvements in built environment. Increased policies regarding nutrition and physical activity. Decreased number of food insecure families. Decreased 30 day use of substances among youth. Social norms are less supportive of drug use and abuse. Indicator: Number of environmental changes promoting health and physical activity, number of policies regarding physical activity and nutrition, decreased CDC obesity rate data, number of food insecure families  Methods: Qualitative and quantitative reports, state and national data review, environmental scans, etc.

Learning Opportunities:

Activity: Pumpkin Walk, Hoops for Health, Spring into Health, and other community health programs

Content or Curriculum: UK Health Care literature, Health Bulletins, Health Department literature, community agencies, pedometers, screenings, displays, diabetes grant, physical activity options, etc.

Inputs: CES Staff, FRYSC, Healthy Hometown, Early Childhood Council, etc.

Date: Quarterly community health and wellness events beginning September/October 

 

Audience: General Public

Activity: Media (newspaper articles, radio spots & live interviews, social media)

Content or Curriculum: Exclusives, FCS Agent News Releases, publications, etc.

Inputs: CES staff, UK Specialists, eXtension, CDC, and other state Extension programs

Date: July 2023-June 2024

 

Audience: Freshman Students and Families

Activity: Truth and Consequences: The Choice is Yours

Content or Curriculum: Truth and Consequences program materials, local statistics, and print materials.

Inputs: Clinton County Schools, various community partners, faith-based community, Chamber, Interagency, etc.

Date: TBD based upon school calendar 

 

Audience: General Public/SNAP Recipients

Activity: Nutrition Education Program

Content or Curriculum: Healthy Choices for Every Body, LEAP, Super Star Chef, Cook Wild Kentucky, NEP materials, FCS publications

Inputs: Senior Center, Horizon Adult Day, faith-based community, schools, KINnections, volunteers, etc.

Date: July 2023-June 2024

 

Audience: General Public

Activity: Fit Blue/Big Blue Shape Up (localized Weight the Reality Series)

Content: Fit Blue, Couch Potato Challenge, Weight the Reality Series, Get Moving Kentucky, local agencies, health & wellness literature, etc.

Inputs: Extension Staff, Health Department, Cumberland Family Medical, Healthy Hometown, etc.

Date: Spring 2024

 

Audience: Kindergarten Students

Activity: Healthy Living Day at Early Childhood Center

Content: LEAP and other youth education materials

Inputs: Extension Staff, Healthy Hometown, Cumberland Family Medical, Aetna

Date: Spring 2024

 

Audience: Extension Homemakers, Community Partners, General Public

Activity: FCS Extension Newsletter

Content or Curriculum: Exclusives, FCS Agent News Releases, publications, etc.

Inputs: KY Extension Specialists, eXtension, etc.

Date: Monthly/Bimonthly July 2023-June 2024

 

Audience: Youth

Activity: Youth Nutrition, Health, & Wellness Enrichment Classes

Content or Curriculum: Wellness in Kentucky, MyPlate, FCS & 4-H Extension Curricula, eXtension, etc.

Inputs: Extension Staff, volunteers, schools, community partners

Date: Throughout year

 

Audience: Senior Adults/General Public

Content or Curriculum: Bingocize

Inputs: Churches, Nursing Home, Senior Life Improvement, Homemakers, etc.

Date: Fall 2023 and Spring 2024

 

Audience: Youth and families

Activity: Longest Day of Play

Content or Curriculum:  LEAP, health and wellness bulletins, Health Rocks, etc.

Inputs: Wellness Center, FRYSC, Administrative Office of the Courts, Healthy Hometown, community partners

Date: June 2024

 

 Audience: Youth and families

Activity: Cook Together, Eat Together

Content or Curriculum: Cook Together, Eat Together 

Inputs: Families, Extension staff, Volunteers

Date: Throughout year 

 

Audience: 5^th Grade Students 

Activity: Recipes for Life

Content or Curriculum: 

Inputs: FRYSC, School, Volunteers

Date: TBD based on school calendar 

 

Audience: Communities

Project or Activity: Policy, Systems, & Environmental Approaches: Making Sustainable, Lasting Change within the Community to make healthy choices practical and available to all. 

Content or Curriculum: Faithful Families, Health Coalition, Community Story Walks, Fit Trails, Trail Development, Continued work from CDC Obesity Prevention Grant

Inputs: Volunteers, faith based community, community partners, elected officials, employee health and wellness, etc.

Date: Ongoing 

 

Audience: Adults

Project or Activity: Walk with Ease

Content or Curriculum: Walk with Ease program materials

Inputs: Volunteers, employee health and wellness, community partners

Date: Fall 2023

Success Stories