Boone County CES

County Emphasis:

Strengthening the Health and Well Being of our Community

Concentration 1:

Food Safety, Quality, and Access

Concentration 2:

Health and Wellbeing

Concentration 3:

Mental Health and Well-Being

Concentration 4:

Substance Use Prevention and Recovery

Situation:

Health and well-being resources in Kentucky vary widely, leaving gaps in knowledge, infrastructure, and access that lead to higher rates of chronic conditions and reduced quality of life. Prevention and early care are critical, yet individuals often bear the burden of navigating the healthcare system and public health entities. Key external factors, like access to nutritious food, safe spaces, and education, play a vital role in health but have long been overlooked. The 2023 UK Cooperative Extension Community Assessment identified key priorities, including affordable nutritious food and youth obesity reduction, reflecting statewide needs. Guided by its National Framework for Health Equity and Well-being, UK Extension is working to address these challenges. Through targeted health, nutrition, and wellness programs, they aim to close gaps, advocate for systemic changes, and empower communities to improve physical and mental health. 

 

Consuming fresh fruits and vegetables daily reduces the risk of chronic conditions like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, leading to a better quality of life. However, challenges remain, including limited access to fresh food and a lack of knowledge about preparation and preservation. The Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) works to tackle these barriers by improving access to fresh food and providing education on selecting, storing, preparing, and preserving produce. CES collaborates with organizations like the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and Community Farm Alliance to develop statewide systems that promote food access and encourage healthier eating habits. Their efforts focus on creating policies, programs, and environmental changes that address food access disparities while equipping Kentuckians with the skills needed to grow and use fresh produce. These initiatives aim to improve health outcomes across the state and support long-term community well-being. 

 

Stress and mental health challenges are impacting more people than ever, with over 1 in 5 U.S. adults experiencing mental illness and 43% of Kentuckians reporting anxiety or depression at some point in their lives. Suicide remains a leading preventable cause of death for Kentuckians aged 10-34 and those over 59. The 2023 Cooperative Extension Community Needs Assessment highlighted mental health as a top concern, with improved access to resources listed among the highest priorities. Many Kentuckians recognize the need for skills to address mental health challenges, whether for themselves or others, and to advocate for better statewide resources. The Kentucky Cooperative Extension is committed to addressing these needs through research-based programs that reduce stigma, connect individuals to care, and empower communities to promote better mental health. Their efforts aim to improve access and awareness, offering hope and support for a healthier, more resilient population. 

 

Substance use and substance use disorder (SUD) have long been significant issues, but the public health impact has worsened in recent years. Drug overdoses are now the leading cause of accidental death in the U.S. and have reduced average life expectancy. In Kentucky, about 90% of individuals needing SUD treatment don’t receive it, contributing to high rates of morbidity and mortality. Addressing this treatment gap requires more community-level programming to meet the complex needs of Kentuckians. Cooperative Extension, with its county connections and expert team, is well-suited to support areas like mental health, housing, employment, nutrition, and physical health.

County Situation:

Boone County, Kentucky is home to approximately 145,000 people. Many others work and play in our vibrant community with top-ranked schools and community parks and recreation programs and services. It is ranked second in the state for overall health and well-being (https://www.countyhealthrankings.org/sites/default/files/media/document/CHR2022_KY_0.pdf) However, residents struggle with food insecurity, mental health issues, substance use issues, chronic illnesses, and lack of intentional physical activity on a regular basis. 

 

Boone County Cooperative Extension is able to help address a number of issues faced by community members through educational, research-based programs for individuals of all ages and stages of life. By providing opportunities for community members to gather, meet, and interact with others, social bonds and friendships are formed which have been shown to improve mental health and well-being.  

 

Boone County Extension has the capacity to provide opportunities to gather and interact through educational programs in all areas including community arts, horticulture, natural resources, agriculture, youth development, and family and consumer sciences. Providing food and nutrition education in our hands-on cooking labs and educational facilities, through the farmers market, with demonstration gardens, can improve the general health and improve the nutritional and financial profile of area residents. 

 

Addressing the high rates of obesity, chronic diseases, mental health issues, and substance use, along with improving access to resources like healthy foods, healthy housing, and social support, should be prioritized. Increased community engagement and mental health services are also essential for improving overall well-being in the region. 

Long-Term Outcomes:

- Individuals and families of all incomes levels have access to affordable and nutritious foods 

- Routinely meeting guidelines and recommendations for health behaviors that promote wellness and quality of life 

- Increased access to mental health care and resources for all 

- Reduced youth substance use 

Intermediate Outcomes:

- Improved dietary habits through: consumption of more fruits and vegetables, a variety of proteins and the number of meals prepared at home. 

- Increased health-promoting behaviors that support family, community, and occupational health and safety 

- Increased advocacy for mental health and wellbeing resources 

- Enhanced community partnerships that target youth substance-use prevention 

Initial Outcomes:

- Increased awareness of Extension resources and programs supporting food access. 

- Increased awareness and accessibility of community resources available to access fresh foods. 

- Increased knowledge about health-promoting behaviors. 

- Increased knowledge of mental health and well-being resources (interpersonal and community-based) 

- Increased intentions to employ health-promoting behaviors (e.g., exercise, healthy nutrition, positive coping, etc.). 

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Increased knowledge of self-care and other coping strategies

Indicator: Number of participants who intend to adopt self-care strategies to improve their own mental health and well-being  

Method: Post-participation surveys/evaluation results  

Timeline: Ongoing; Surveys should be administered immediately after a program  

Initial Outcome: Increased stress coping strategies and knowledge of gardening  

Indicator: Number of individuals who report stress reduction by working in the recovery garden or with their own plants. 

Number of individuals who report an increase in knowledge of growing plants.

Method: Post participant evaluation surveys   

Timeline: Surveys administered three times annually to capture knowledge gain of different groups of participants.  

Initial Outcome: Increased confidence and motivation to engage in health-promoting behaviors (e.g. add physical activity, consume more nutritious foods, receive vaccination or screen)

Indicator: Number of participants who reported/demonstrates improved knowledge, skills, opinions, or confidence regarding a health-promoting behavior as a result of a participating in a health and well-being program  

Method: Self-reported surveys  

Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration or follow up evaluation  

Intermediate Outcome: Increased health-promoting behaviors that support family and community health (e.g., physical activity, consuming nutritious foods, routine vaccinations and screenings)  

Indicator: Number of physical activity minutes recorded by a participant 

Number of participants who reported consuming more nutritious foods and/or beverages 

Number of participants who reported a change in a health-promoting behavior as a result of participating in a health and well-being program 

Method: Self-reported surveys  

Timeline: Repeated self-reported surveys and/or follow-up evaluations to capture change over time  

Initial Outcome: Improved skills related to safe food preparation and food preservation. 

Indicator: Number of individuals who reported increasing their knowledge, skills, or intentions regarding the safe storage, handling, preparation and/or preservation of food through Extension programs and resources.   

Number of individuals who reported supplementing their diets with healthy foods that they grew, harvested, or preserved (e.g. community or backyard gardens, fishing, hunting). 

Method: Pre/post participant evaluations from: NEP agent-led curricula, Champion Food Volunteer, Food Preservation

Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration; annual fiscal year (food system impact survey)  

Initial Outcome: Increased knowledge about substance use and its effects (initial)

Indicator: Number of participants who reported an increased knowledge of substance use prevention, addiction, and/or recovery (or related subject matter)

Method: Self-reported surveys

Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration

Intermediate Outcome: Increased confidence making decisions related to substance use (i.e. substance use refusal skills) (Short-term, ST, and Intermediate, BC).

Indicator: 

Number of participants who reported intended behavior change as a result of participation in substance use prevention and/or recovery programming.

Number of participants who reported that they intend to use self-care strategies to improve their recovery and/or substance refusal skills.

Method: Self-reported surveys

Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Families and Individuals  

Project or Activity: Promoting Well-Being  

Content or Curriculum: MARK (Mind, Art, Recovery, Kentucky), Take a Beat: Healing Hearts and Minds, Handling Farm Stress: A Workshop for New and Beginning Farmers, Mindfulness Trails, Yoga-ta Try This (KEHA lesson), Self-care programming, Mindfulness programming, Recovery Gardens, Mental Health and Wellbeing Series, The Mind-Body Connection  

Inputs: Programmatic materials, state specialist support, staff training, facilities, community partners (health coalitions, schools, local non-profits, etc), UK Healthcare mental health resources, 988 community resources  

Date: Ongoing, 2025-2029  

Audience: Substance Abuse Recovery Patients  

Project or Activity: Brighton Recovery Center  

Content or Curriculum: Recovery Garden Toolkit, horticulture publications  

Inputs: Paid staff, programmatic materials, seeds  

Date: April-October yearly  

Audience: Families & Individuals  

Project or Activity: Nutrition Education  

Content or Curriculum: Nutrition Education Program, SNAP-Ed toolkit, Publications, Faithful Families, Cook Together Eat Together, Savor the Flavor, Dining with Diabetes, Plate it up! Kentucky Proud, Cook Wild Ky, Food as Health Toolkit, Recovery Garden Toolkit, Family Mealtime, maternal and child health program materials,  

Inputs: Programmatic materials, paid staff, community partners, volunteers, faith-based organization, health coalitions, healthcare Providers and local clinics, health department, non-profits, schools, company health and wellness, Homemakers, farmers’ markets, local farms/growers/producers, commodity groups, community centers, etc.    

Date: Ongoing  

Audience: Individuals & Farmers  

Project or Activity: Nutrition Education  

Content or Curriculum: Nutrition Education Program, SNAP-Ed toolkit, Publications, Faithful Families, Cook Together Eat Together, Savor the Flavor, Dining with Diabetes, Plate it up! Kentucky Proud, Food as Health Toolkit, Family Mealtime, maternal and child health program materials, www.planeatmove.com, Super Star Chef, Farm to School, Hunger in Kentucky  

Inputs: Programmatic materials, paid staff, community partners, volunteers, faith-based organizations, health coalitions, healthcare Providers and local clinics, health department, non-profits, schools, company health & wellness, 4-H, Homemakers, farmers’ markets, local farmers/growers/producers, commodity groups, community centers, etc.    

Date: Ongoing  

Audience: Individuals & Farmers  

Project or Activity: Champion Food Volunteer  

Content or Curriculum: Champion Food Volunteer Curriculum, publications  

Inputs: Programmatic materials, paid staff, volunteers, community partners, facilities, non-profits, 4-H, faith-based organizations, Homemakers, community centers, etc.  

Date: Ongoing  

Audience: Families and Individuals

Project or Activity: Substance Use Prevention Programming

Content or Curriculum: Botvin Lifeskills, Strengthening Families, 4-H Health Rocks, Engaging People with Lived Experience (testimonies), Truth and Consequences 

Inputs: Programmatic materials, paid staff, volunteers, community partners, health coalitions, schools and school staff

Date: Ongoing

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Increased knowledge of self-care and other coping strategies

Indicator: Number of participants who intend to adopt self-care strategies to improve their own mental health and well-being  

Method: Post-participation surveys/evaluation results  

Timeline: Ongoing; Surveys should be administered immediately after a program  

Initial Outcome: Increased stress coping strategies and knowledge of gardening  

Indicator: Number of individuals who report stress reduction by working in the recovery garden or with their own plants. 

Number of individuals who report an increase in knowledge of growing plants.

Method: Post participant evaluation surveys   

Timeline: Surveys administered three times annually to capture knowledge gain of different groups of participants.  

Initial Outcome: Increased confidence and motivation to engage in health-promoting behaviors (e.g. add physical activity, consume more nutritious foods, receive vaccination or screen)

Indicator: Number of participants who reported/demonstrates improved knowledge, skills, opinions, or confidence regarding a health-promoting behavior as a result of a participating in a health and well-being program  

Method: Self-reported surveys  

Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration or follow up evaluation  

Intermediate Outcome: Increased health-promoting behaviors that support family and community health (e.g., physical activity, consuming nutritious foods, routine vaccinations and screenings)  

Indicator: Number of physical activity minutes recorded by a participant 

Number of participants who reported consuming more nutritious foods and/or beverages 

Number of participants who reported a change in a health-promoting behavior as a result of participating in a health and well-being program 

Method: Self-reported surveys  

Timeline: Repeated self-reported surveys and/or follow-up evaluations to capture change over time  

Initial Outcome: Improved skills related to safe food preparation and food preservation. 

Indicator: Number of individuals who reported increasing their knowledge, skills, or intentions regarding the safe storage, handling, preparation and/or preservation of food through Extension programs and resources.   

Number of individuals who reported supplementing their diets with healthy foods that they grew, harvested, or preserved (e.g. community or backyard gardens, fishing, hunting). 

Method: Pre/post participant evaluations from: NEP agent-led curricula, Champion Food Volunteer, Food Preservation

Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration; annual fiscal year (food system impact survey)  

Initial Outcome: Increased knowledge about substance use and its effects (initial)

Indicator: Number of participants who reported an increased knowledge of substance use prevention, addiction, and/or recovery (or related subject matter)

Method: Self-reported surveys

Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration

Intermediate Outcome: Increased confidence making decisions related to substance use (i.e. substance use refusal skills) (Short-term, ST, and Intermediate, BC).

Indicator: 

Number of participants who reported intended behavior change as a result of participation in substance use prevention and/or recovery programming.

Number of participants who reported that they intend to use self-care strategies to improve their recovery and/or substance refusal skills.

Method: Self-reported surveys

Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration