Extension
It Starts With Us
Family Relations-Parenting/Aging
Improve Individual and Family Development
Alissa Ackerman, FCS Agent
Family Development General
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Leadership
Clay County is rural county in Eastern Kentucky.8.1% of our head of households are 65 or older. 49% of our households are husband wife with their own children, 33.6% of our households are 42%single parent with children under 18, 61% of our grandparents are responsible for their grandchildren. KY ranks first in the nation for the most children in kinship care settings in the country. 33.3% have been responsible for their grandchildren over 5 years. 42% of our population is living below the poverty level.
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 life stills behaviors and choices, including quality of diet, physical activity and tobacco use. Kentuckian health span is also below national averages.
Family communication and bonding is the key to the success of family life. Helping families to overcome stereotypes, appreciating individual differences, understanding the developmental stages, sharing a value system and goals and making wise decisions impacts family life by providing a supportive environment for the entire family unit thus impacting the community.
-Families will foster the optimal development of family members, care for the physical and wellbeing of each individual over the long term.
-Build personal strengths and self-control, interpersonal communication, life skills, including wise decision making.
-Families improve lifestyle choices and behaviors related to overall health and wellbeing.
-Increase skills to strengthen and sustain relationships.
-Reduce stress level, make time for selves, and make wise decisions about time money and family.
-increase child and parent social and emotional skills self-awareness, decision making skill and self-management.
-Establish realistic behavior expectations for adults, children and teens.
-Participants learn to manage stress, bond with family members and interact with children and other family members; teach responsibility in use of money and time.
Understand the importance of life style choices and behaviors though out lifespan related to family and individual well-being.
-Increased knowledge to strengthen and sustain relationships life span and life style of all ages.
Long-Term Outcome: Care for the physical and mental health and wellbeing of each individual over the long term.
Indicator: Number of adults and youth who demonstrate informed and effective decision making and who make lifestyle changes that improve personal health.
Method: Program evaluation long term, word of mouth.
Timeline: July 2020 - June 2024
Intermediate Outcome: Practice skills to strengthen and sustain relationships, reduce stress and improve decision making skills.
Indicator: number of adults and youth that demonstrate informed and effective decision making.
Method: Word of mouth, program evaluation, surveys.
Timeline: July 2020 - June 2024
Initial Outcome: Participants attending program gain knowledge of realize realistic expectations for themselves and their children.
Indicator: number of individuals reporting changes in knowledge, opinions and skills aspirations related to aging or personal relationships.
Method: Total number attending, immediate program evaluation and talking with participants.
Timeline: July 2020-June 2024
Audience: Adults/Youth
Project or activity: Boosting Mental Health Through Art
Content or Curriculum: Portfolio Pathways/4-H Mental Health Education
Inputs: 4-H Agent & FCS Agent
Date: Quarterly
Audience: Homemakers
Project or Activity: Holiday Ideas
Content or Curriculum: Holiday Ideas
Inputs: Family & Consumer Sciences Agent
Date: Fall 2024
Audience: Homemakers
Project or Activity: Pin Weaving
Content or Curriculum: Pin Weaving
Inputs: Family & Consumer Science Agent
Date: Spring 2025
Audience: Homemakers
Project or Activity: Keys to Embracing Aging
Content or Curriculum: Brain Activity
Inputs: Family & Consumer Science Agent
Date: Spring 2025
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Manners for the Real World/Family Mealtime
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Manners for the Real
Inputs: 4-H Agent and Teachers
Date: Fall 2024
