Extension
It Starts With Us
Disaster Preparedness in Breathitt County
6. Enhance Life Skills and Build Consumer Awareness
Reed Graham, Ryan Spicer, Stacy Trent
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Civic Engagement
Policy, Systems, and Environmental Changes
Financial Education - General
As of June, 2020 the COVID-19 virus had profoundly affected the entire state of Kentucky, including rural Breathitt County. Citizens were both physically/mentally and financially strained. Reviewing data from outlets such as Kentucky by the Numbers, one can see that most Breathitt County citizens fall into the "most vulnerable" category as outlined by the CDC. Because of the high aging and unhealthy population, and because of the nature of COVID-19 and nature of other disasters, many Breathitt County citizens were/are not prepared for such events. Promoting basic life skills and positive personal finance skills prepares Kentuckians for any future life/economic shifts associated with disasters.
- Number of people who increased profits, reduced expenses, and/or reduced risk
- Better family money management skills, such as reducing debt, increasing savings, and financial planning.
- Increase of environmental changes implemented within communities
- Improved financial capability for Kentuckians, results in better quality of life and stronger families
- Number of volunteers engaged in community service and disaster preparedness projects on a regular basis
- Number of clients who shared information about agriculture and/or environmental issues with elected officials
- Practice one or more resource management behaviors resulting in increased savings or investments.
- Adopt financial planning strategies for short-, mid-, and long-term goals.
- Number of people - youth and adults - that completed a community-based service project related to community preparedness
- Number of people who increased knowledge of farm health and safety practices
- Increased knowledge and skills related to managing financial resources, including savings, credit, and financial planning.
- Increase financial literacy (knowledge and skills) related to savings and investments.
- Number of people - youth and adults - that indicated they made a lifestyle choice as a result of what they learned through 4-H and other programming
Outcome: Increase knowledge and skills related to farm health and safety practices
Indicator: Number of individuals reporting increased levels of
understanding in the area: farm safety, equipment demonstrations, disaster preparation
Method: Retroactive pre-post
Timeline: Following educational workshops and agricultural events
Outcome: Increased awareness of sound financial behaviors
Indicator(s): Number of individuals who implemented at least one
strategy to reduce expenses or manage money
Number of individuals who made a sound financial decision
(regarding credit, budgeting, savings, and/or debt)
Method: Retroactive pre-post
Timeline: Following financial education workshops
Outcome: Increase knowledge and skills related to preparing/following disaster plans for community/home environments
Indicator: Number of individuals reporting increased levels of
understanding in the area: disaster preparedness plans/environmental changes
Method: Retroactive pre-post
Timeline: Following educational workshops
Outcome: Increased awareness of health and civic engagement opportunities related to disaster preparedness
Indicator(s): Number of individuals who increased knowledge of and participated in civic engagement opportunities related to disaster preparedness
Method: Retroactive pre-post
Timeline: Following educational workshops
Audience: Adults, young adults, and teens
Project or Activity: Farm Safety Day
Content or Curriculum: Publications, safety curriculum
Inputs: ANR Agent, Specialists, Community Partners/Councils
Date: Fall 2023
Audience: Adults, young adults, and teens
Project or Activity: Money Habitudes Workshop
Content or Curriculum: Money Habitudes
Inputs: FCS Agent, curriculum publications and resources,
Date: On-Going/Monthly
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Home and Community Environment Disaster Preparedness Series
Content or Curriculum: CDC Materials, Housing and Environment Publications
Inputs: FCS Agent, curriculum publications and resources,
Date: Fall, 2023
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Science/Environmental Workshops
Content or Curriculum: 4-H conservation materials, 4-H health curriculum
Inputs: 4-H Agent, curriculum publications and resources,
Date: On-Going/Monthly
Author: Reed Graham
Major Program: Emergency Disaster Preparedness
Farming is one of the most dangerous occupations in the world. Where there is a farm, there is always a home nearby. Farm and home safety is often overlooked even though it is a key component to success. Breathitt Co and Wolfe Co ANR and FCS Agents as well as Farm Bureaus collaborated for a joint Safety Program. The Field Day was held at the UK Robinson Center for Appalachian Resources Sustainability in Breathitt County. New this year, participants had the option to select which track
Author: Stacy Trent
Major Program: Emergency Disaster Preparedness - FCS
Farming is one of the most dangerous occupations in the world. Where there is a farm, there is always a home nearby. Farm and home safety is often overlooked even though it is a key component to success. Breathitt Co and Wolfe Co ANR and FCS Agents as well as Farm Bureaus collaborated for a joint Safety Program. The Field Day was held at the UK Robinson Center for Appalachian Resources Sustainability in Breathitt County. New this year, participants had the option to select which
Author: Kayla Watts
Major Program: Flood Relief & Recovery
The U.S. Climate Vulnerability Index, which measures several categories of data across census tracts in the U.S., shows Kentucky communities are among the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. According to FEMA.gov, the state of Kentucky has had nine federally declared disasters since the beginning of 2020. These disasters have affected various regions of the state causing chaos. The Climate Vulnerability Index suggests that these natural disasters will continue to occur
Author: Kayla Watts
Major Program: Flood Relief & Recovery
According to Ready.gov, the Federal Emergency Management’s resource site, “Winter storms create a higher risk of car accidents, hypothermia, frostbite, carbon monoxide poisoning, and heart attacks from overexertion. Winter storms including blizzards can bring extreme cold, freezing rain, snow, ice, and high winds.” Because Kentuckians experience winter weather in various forms each year, it is important to prepare them for these events. As a result of winter weather
