Breathitt County CES

Title:

Disaster Preparedness in Breathitt County

MAP:

6. Enhance Life Skills and Build Consumer Awareness

Agents Involved:

Reed Graham, Ryan Spicer, Stacy Trent

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Farm Management, Economics and Policy

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Civic Engagement

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Policy, Systems, and Environmental Changes

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Financial Education - General

Situation:

On July 28 and 29, 2022, in Breathitt County Kentucky, several residents suffered physiological losses from a historical flood.   Residents waded flood waters and struggled through feet-deep mud to be rescued. Many were left without a home and a safe way to restore what had been lost.

Meeting the physiological and health/safety needs of residents in Breathitt County was the main goal of Breathitt Extension Agents. County residents expressed their thankfulness for the help during their time of need.

Long-Term Outcomes:

• 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
• Increase knowledge of disaster preparedness and safety plan development for clientele. 

Intermediate Outcomes:

• 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
• Clientele develop home safety plan in the event of a disaster 

Initial Outcomes:

• 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
• Increased knowledge of disaster preparedness.

Evaluation:

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

Learning Opportunities:

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 2024

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: Survive and Thrive: Disaster Preparedness Series 

Content or Curriculum: CDC Materials, Housing and Environment Publications

Inputs: FCS Agent, curriculum publications and resources, 

 Date: Fall, 2024

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

Success Stories