Promoting Individual and Family DevelopmentPlan of Work

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Todd County CES

Title:
Promoting Individual and Family Development
MAP:
Empowering Youth, Individuals and Families to Succeed
Agents Involved:
Jill Harris,
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Family Development General
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Aging-General
Situation:

People are living longer. Kentucky’s current population of seniors (65+) is 16.4% (2019 Census Data). By 2040 it is projected that every district will see an increase in the percent of the population that is age 65 and older (Zimmerman/KY by the Numbers). As the largest and fastest-growing segment of the U.S. population, older adults influence everything from consumer behavior to health-care costs (U.S. Census). While we may be adding years to life, there is concern about life quality. This is because a person’s life expectancy, the total number of years a person is expected to live, does not always match a person’s “health span”—time spent in good health (Institute of Medicine). The life expectancy of Kentuckians, 75.1 years, fluctuates as much as 9 years between counties and ranks among the bottom five states. Heavily influenced by life-long lifestyle behaviors and choices, including quality of diet, physical activity and tobacco use, the Kentuckian health span is also below national averages. Kentucky FCS can help individuals and families establish healthy lifestyle behaviors and relationships throughout the lifespan as way to positively influence optimal aging and help reduce issues such as chronic disease, obesity, opioid and alcohol abuse, and mental illness.

 “School-readiness” is a broad term that refers to multiple precursor cognitive, physical, and social-emotional skills that indicate young children are prepared to learn and thrive in the school environment. A wide body of research shows a strong foundation in school readiness is indicative of school success. Emerging research also indicates that there is a synergistic effect when early learning activities activate physical and cognitive skills simultaneously, as opposed to doing so in isolation. However, in the state of Kentucky only 50% of children are deemed “school-ready” when they enter Kindergarten.   These numbers indicate a need for more activities that support school-readiness by building multiple skill sets simultaneously.

96,000 children in Kentucky live in kinship care.  Kentucky ranks first in the nation for the most children in kinship care settings in the country.  15,000 children are in kinship care due to removal from their home.   Kinship care providers need support.

Long-Term Outcomes:
Intermediate Outcomes:
Initial Outcomes:
Evaluation:

Outcome: (ST) Learn about prevention and how to adapt healthy lifestyles

Indicator:  Total number of individuals/families reached with information to improve healthy lifestyle choices specifically related to aging/longevity

Method:  Lesson Evaluations: Keys to Embracing Aging, Stand up to Falling, Bedrooms, Bathrooms and Beyond (Home Accessibility), RAAD/VDT, AARP Prepare to Care, 10 Warning Signs/UAD  

Timeline:  Ongoing


Outcome: (I) Adapt healthy lifestyles related to aging and longevity  

Indicator:  Of the total number of individuals/families who learned information about healthy lifestyle choices related to aging/longevity, the total number of individuals/families/caregivers who adapted their behavior

Method:  3-6 month Post Lesson evaluations: Keys to Embracing Aging, Stand up to Falling, Bedrooms, Bathrooms and Beyond (Home Accessibility), RAAD/VDT, AARP Prepare to Care, 10 Warning Signs/UAD  

Timeline: Ongoing

  

Outcome:  (LT) Kentucky’s overall health span increases

Indicator:  Number of programs and policies identified, adapted, created and evaluated to promote healthy aging in Kentucky

Method:  Overall Health Life Expectancy increases in KY 

Timeline:  Ongoing


Outcome:  Kentuckians learn fun age appropriate activities to aid in their child’s healthy development.

Indicator:  Number of parents who expressed learning new activities to engage their children at home.

Method:  Laugh and Learn Play Dates Survey

Timeline:  January - December


Outcome: Increase child and parent social-emotional skills such as heightened self-awareness, responsible decision making, and self-management.

Indicator: How many children increased their ability to express emotion after attending the program?

Method:  Stories, Songs, and Stretches Survey

Timeline: July - June

 

Outcome: Increase number of children who are “kindergarten ready” in Todd county. 

Indicator: Several – (i.e. How many parents reported improved gross motor skills, social-emotional skills, and early literacy skills?) 

Method:  Kentucky Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Kindergarten Readiness Results

Timeline:  July- June


Outcome: Increase skills and resources of caregivers to provide effective care for young relatives

Indicator: Several – (i.e. How many caregivers improve skills/knowledge in child development, discipline and guidance, legal issues, and advocacy)

Method: Parenting a Second Time Around (PASTA) Evaluation 

Timeline:  Post program evaluation 



Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Extension Homemakers

Project or Activity:  Recongnizing and Coping with Trauma after a Natural Disaster

Content or Curriculum: FCS

Inputs: FCS

Date: September 2023


Audience: Preschool aged children and their parent(s)

Project or Activity:  Various

Content or Curriculum: Laugh and Learn Playdates

 Inputs: FCS Agent, Library, schools 

 Date: Starting January 2024


Audience: Extension Homemakers

Project or Activity:  Health Literacy for the win

Content or Curriculum: FCS

 Inputs: FCS 

 Date: June 2024


Audience: Public

Project or Activity: Plan Ahead for Distasters 

Content or Curriculum: FCS

 Inputs: FCS 

 Date: February 2024



Success Stories

4-H Camp - A Place for Youth to Thrive

Author: Lee Ann McCuiston

Major Program: Camping

The problemThe interactions offered in a residential camp/group living setting are so important to youth, especially considering the isolation brought on by social media. The time we spend with youth in the camp setting offers opportunities for those youth to feel a sense of belonging, to have meaningful conversations with caring adults, to practice generosity, group decision-making, they experience new activities they typically do not have access to at home, and th

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4-H Youth Learn to Cook Without Power

Author: Lee Ann McCuiston

Major Program: Health

The problemIn our modern world, we rely heavily on electricity for almost every aspect of our lives, including cooking. But what happens if there's a power outage, natural disaster or other emergency situation that disrupts our access to electricity? In these situations, it's important to know how to cook without electricity.  Power outages can occur due to various reasons, such as severe weather, equipment failures, and human errors.  The Todd County Extension Office, 4-H Agen

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