Hart County CES

Title:

Developing Healthy Lifestyles

MAP:

Enhancing the Health and Well Being of Indivduals and Families Across the Life Span

Agents Involved:

Adam Estes, Sonya Carter, Julia Wilson

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Family Development General

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Active Living and Health Promotions General

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Nutrition and Food Systems General

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Health & Wellbeing

Situation:

“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.

The Centers for Disease Control found in a nationally representative survey that only 29% of high school youth participated in at least 60 minutes of physical activity on each of the seven days before the survey. Participation in physical activity decreases as we age.Only 13% of Hart County residents get the daily recommended number of fruits and vegetables each day. (Kyhealthfacts.org)

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. 

Long-Term Outcomes:

 Adults and Youth maintain positive health habits.

•    Individuals are at a lower risk for serious disease and illness.

•    Individuals are at a lower risk for physical and emotional distress.

•    As a result of participating in Extension programming Hart County citizens will make improvements to their health which will lead to them having a better quality of life.

Intermediate Outcomes:

• Individuals  adopt healthy behaviors that lead to a healthy lifestyle that include making healthy lifestyle choices, not engaging in risky behavior and handling stress.
• Individuals will practice healthy eating habits and exercise to improve their health and well being.

Initial Outcomes:

• Individuals identify healthy lifestyle choices.
• Individuals understand risky behaviors and their consequences.
• Individuals aspire to have higher self-esteem.
• Individuals identify healthy ways to handle stress.

Evaluation:

• Outcome: Community awareness along with health and drug statistics in Hart County will improve.  The number of families reporting healthy habits and lifestyle choices will increase. 
• Indicator:  The number of youth and families adopting healthy behaviors will increase. 
•  Method: The number of participants keeping activity logs and reporting increase in fruits and vegetables, physical activity and overall lifestyle choices.  
•  Timeline: July 2024 - June 2025

Learning Opportunities:

Learning Opportunities (repeat as needed):

 Audience:  9^th Grade Youth
Project or Activity: Truth and Consequences
Content or Curriculum: Truth and Consequences Curriculum
Inputs: School Staff; Extension Council
Date: Fall 2024

Audience: 7^th Grade Youth
Project or Activity: STOP Program
Content or Curriculum: STOP Curriculum
Inputs: School Staff
Date: 2024-2025 School Year

Audience: 4^th Grade Youth
Project or Activity: Farm Safety Day Camp
Content or Curriculum: Farm Safety Handbook; Hand Washing Lessons
Inputs: School System Staff & Family Resource Centers
Date: Fall 2024

Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Recipe Testing and Publication
Content or Curriculum: Plate it Up! Kentucky Proud
Inputs: General Population
Date: July 2024- June 2025

Audience: Adults and Youth
Project or Activity: Learning to Can, Freeze, and Dry Fruits and Vegetables
Content or Curriculum: Food Preservation
Inputs: Youth and Adults
Date: July 2024 - June 2025

Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Youth Fruit and Vegetable Access
Content or Curriculum: LEAP
Inputs: Youth
Date: July 2024- June 2025

Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Farmers Market
Content or Curriculum: Famers Market
Inputs: Adults
Date: July 2024- August 2025

Audience:  7^th Grade Students

Project or Activity:  Positive Choices

Content or Curriculum:  4-H Health

Inputs:  Youth

Date:  Fall 2024

Audience:  High School FMD Students

Project or Activity:  Preparing Healthy Meals

Content or Curriculum:  Plate It Up proud

Inputs:  Youth

Date:  Fall 2024 –Spring 2025

Audience:  3rd Grade/ Elementary Youth
Project or Activity: Mindful Me
Content or Curriculum: Mindful Me Curriculum
Inputs: School Staff; Extension Council
Date: Fall 2024- Spring 2025

Audience: Middle School Youth

Project or Activity: LifeSkills Training
Content or Curriculum: Botvin - LifeSkills Training
Inputs: School Staff; Extension Council
Date: Spring 2025

Success Stories