Embracing a Healthy Lifestyle Plan of Work

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Russell County CES

Title:
Embracing a Healthy Lifestyle
MAP:
Embracing a Healthy Lifestyle
Agents Involved:
4-H, FCS, ANR, assistant(s)
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Health & Wellbeing
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Family and Consumer Science
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Active Living and Health Promotions General
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Food Preparation and Preservation
Situation:

Healthy living encompasses many aspects including physical activity, personal safety, mental health, and addiction prevention.  Russell County’s data profile shows that we exceed state and national incidence rates in obesity, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer, substance abuse, and overall healthy days (Kentucky Health Facts).  Implementation of savings and retirement planning can also lead to overall life satisfaction and reduce stress in the family.

Promote positive personal finance behaviors prepares Kentuckians for any future economic shift. The United States has been in an extremely long period of economic expansion; however, expansions are cyclical, meaning growth is eventually followed by recession. Securing financial stability for Kentuckians will help families thrive no matter the economic outlook. Financial stability is achieved when families are able to secure and manage resources needed to supply food, clothing, and shelter. Through increased financial knowledge, families may be able to make wise financial decisions, increase buying power, avoid overextended credit, develop savings habits, and manage risks.? 

 

Promote positive personal life skill behaviors to Prepare Kentuckians to promote the usage of money-saving skills in the future. The ability to be able to learn essential skills, such as mend clothing, preserve food safely, and utilize hobbies to promote proper food protocols, will help families thrice in tough economic conditions. Financial stability is achieved when families are able to secure and manage resources needed to supply food, clothing, and shelter. Through increased consumer knowledge and life skills, families may be able to make wise financial decisions, increase buying power, and increase self-sufficiency.? 

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

Outcome:  adoption of healthy lifestyle and stress coping practices

Indicator:  1/3 of participants implement some aspect of healthy living and stress reduction

Method:  self-evaluation and observation

Timeline:  post-program


Outcome:  adoption of safety practices

Indicator:  1/3 of participants implement knowledge gained on personal, farm, and internet safety

Method:  observation, self-evaluation

Timeline:  post-program


Outcome:  gain skills in food preparation and food preservation

Indicator:  1/3 of participants learn and/or implement skills to prepare food for home consumption

Method:  observation; self-evaluation

Timeline:  post-program


Outcome:  personal and family savings plans are implemented

Indicator:  1/3 of participants implement a financial management plan

Method:  self-evaluation

Timeline:  throughout and after the program


Outcome:  substance abuse decreases

Indicator:  reduction in drug and alcohol usage rates

Method:  analysis of KIP data

Timeline:  over many years


Outcome: Youth practice safety procedures and environmental stewardship

Indicator: Accident and environmental measures

Method: Observation, verbal and written evaluations

Timeline: Yearly

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 Russel 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 

 

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Youth

Activity/Project: Youth cooking programs

Content/Curriculum: KSF recipes; 4-H Cooking curricula

Inputs: volunteer leader, curricula, meeting space and cooking materials

Date: fall 2024 - Winter 2025

 

Activity/Project: Youth nutrition education

Content/Curriculum: 4-H core curricula

Inputs: volunteers, curricula, materials, snack items

Date: September - March

 

Activity/Project: Resiliency and mindfulness

Content/Curriculum: 4-H health and fitness curricula; Mind Matters resources

Inputs: participants, meeting space, curriculum

 Date: throughout program year

 

Activity/Project: physical activity

Content/Curriculum: 4-H health core curriculum

Inputs: participants, meeting space, curriculum

Date: throughout program year

 

Activity/Project: money management

Content/Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H and FCS financial management resources

Inputs: participants, meeting space, curriculum

Date: as requested

 

Activity/Project: hygiene

Content/Curriculum: 4-H Health curricula

Inputs: participants, meeting space, curriculum

Date: during school year

 

Activity/Project:  Substance Abuse Education

Content/Curriculum: Health Rocks curriculum

Inputs: participants, volunteer leaders, curriculum

Date: school year and/or summer day camp

  

Activity/Project: Farm Safety Day

Content/Curriculum: Various Topics

Inputs: Participants, volunteers and Progressive Ag Foundation 

Date: Fall Yearly

 

Audience: Preschool-aged children and their parent(s)  

Project or Activity: Various  

Content or Curriculum: Laugh and Learn Playdates  

Inputs: FCS Agent, Library, various  

Date: During the School Year 

 

Audience: Adults, young adults, and teens?? 

Project or Activity: Money Habitudes Workshop?? 

Content or Curriculum: Money Habitudes?? 

Inputs: FCS Agent, curriculum publications and resources, Money Habitudes cards?? 

Date: As needed/requested?


Project or Activity: Financial Education?? 

Content or Curriculum: Real Skills for Everyday Life?? 

Inputs: FCS Agents? 

Date: As requested/ Needed?? 

 

 

Activity/Project: Youth cooking programs   

Content/Curriculum: FCS/NEP Recipes/ Curricula  

Inputs: volunteer leader, curricula, meeting space and cooking materials   

Date: throughout program year (evenings, school visits, and day camps)  

 

Activity/Project: LEAP Programming 

Content/Curriculum: LEAP Programming 

Inputs: volunteers, curricula, healthy snacks, community partners, Schools    SNAP-Ed Toolkits  

Date: Monthly, school year 

 

 

Audience: Communities 

 Project or Activity: Farmers Market Outreach  

Content or Curriculum: Cooking programs, marketing, increased access (e.g.         location, hours, EBT), Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud resources, Farmers             Market Toolkit, Super Star Chef  

Inputs: Nutrition Education Program (NEP), paid staff, grant funds, facilities,         Kentucky Department of Agriculture  

Date: June– October/Growing seasons 

 

Audience: Adult and Youth 

Activity/Project: Food Preservation Programs 

Content/Curriculum: Various 

Inputs: participants, curriculum, incentive items 

Date: April – October 

 

Audience: Adults? 

Activity: Sausage Making Course? 

Curriculum: UK Provided? 

Date: Fall and Spring yearly? 

 

Activity/Project: Substance Abuse education

Content/Curriculum: FCS specialist information

Inputs: participants, curriculum, flyers, meeting space

Date: TBy Request, upon training completion


Activity/Project: Mental Health/Wellness Education 

Content/Curriculum: FCS specialist information 

Inputs: participants, curriculum, flyers, meeting space 

Date: By Request, upon training completion 

 

   

 



Success Stories

Embracing the Outdoors: Cooking Outdoor Meals

Author: Megan Gullett

Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General

In July of this year, it became apparent that there was a gap in knowledge among adults regarding safe and healthy outdoor cooking practices, particularly with the use of cast iron cookware. Many outdoor enthusiasts were unfamiliar with the proper handling and maintenance of cast iron, as well as safe food preparation techniques. Additionally, there was a tendency to rely on processed foods, lacking awareness of how to create nutritious meals outdoors. The need to address food safety, healthy ea

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Empowering Communities Through Homesteading Skills

Author: Megan Gullett

Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General

Empowering Communities Through Homesteading SkillsIn a time when sustainable living and self-sufficiency have become more important than ever, a dedicated group of community educators in Russell County has taken on the mission of teaching essential homesteading skills. Their goal is to empower individuals and families to live more sustainably and independently, while also emphasizing the importance of food safety and nutrition. This initiative brought together 65 participants, including 15 men,

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Roots & Resources: A Homesteading Resource Series

Author: Megan Gullett

Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General

In August, a Homesteading series aimed at fostering self-sufficiency in Russell County attracted 65 participants, including 15 men. With homesteading growing in popularity locally as residents seek sustainable and efficient ways to manage their homes and farms, the need for practical knowledge is more pressing than ever. The series offered hands-on classes in making breakfast sausage, starting sourdough, building rain barrels, canning meat, and container/herb gardening. Survey results revealed a

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Sourdough Basics – A Natural Leavening Bread

Author: Megan Gullett

Major Program: Nutrition and Food Systems General

In a time when the demand for healthier, cost-effective food options is on the rise, a series of workshops on sourdough bread-making has sparked a growing interest across five counties. These workshops, which attracted a total of 95 participants, provided comprehensive training on the ancient art of sourdough baking, focusing on creating and maintaining a sourdough starter, the essentials of bread-baking, and critical food safety precautions.The workshops began by teaching participants how to cr

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