Clinton County CES

County Emphasis:

Promoting Positive & Healthy Lifestyles

Concentration 1:

Family and Youth Development

Concentration 2:

Health and Wellbeing

Concentration 3:

Substance Use Prevention and Recovery

Concentration 4:

Mental Health and Well-Being

Situation:

A disproportionate number of Kentuckians—39% compared to the national average of 15%—live in economically distressed communities, facing rising costs of living and limited access to resources necessary for financial stability, health, and well-being. In response, the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) is addressing these challenges through targeted programs that build financial literacy, support small businesses, and promote community resilience. Additionally, significant health disparities—driven by unequal access to nutritious food, healthcare, and safe environments—contribute to poor health outcomes, including high rates of chronic illness and youth obesity. Mental health remains a critical concern, with 43% of adults reporting anxiety or depression and suicide rates alarmingly high, especially among youth and older adults. The CES, guided by national frameworks and informed by the 2023 statewide Community Needs Assessment, is positioned as a vital public health and economic partner, delivering research-based education and resources to improve the quality of life for all Kentuckians.

Youth Focus

Thriving youth are healthy, productive, and engaged (Arnold, 2024). According to Kentucky Kids Count Database (AECF, 2023) 41% of Kentucky teenagers are obese or overweight. Youth are also experiencing alarming levels of negativity about themselves, their confidence in the future, and their ability to find contentment in life (McKinsey & Company, 2022). 30% of youth are chronically absent (United States Department of Education, 2024). The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service Needs Assessment (2024) identified key priorities issues related to health and wellbeing as need for improved access to mental health and wellbeing resources, reducing youth obesity through nutrition education and/or exercise, minimizing bullying and/or school violence. To address these issues, Kentucky 4-H creates opportunities for youth in the five domains of physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and intellectual health and well-being.

County Situation:

Clinton County faces multiple socioeconomic and health challenges. An estimated 14.6% of the 9,123 residents live in Clinton County below the poverty level and the median household income in 2022 was $41,180 (Kentucky By The Numbers). Furthermore, the unemployment rate is 6.1% (FRED Economic Data). 

From an educational perspective, 81% of residents have a high school diploma and just 14% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Children are underperforming in kindergarten readiness with 70.9% deemed ready with interventions (Kentucky GOEC Early Childhood Profile 2023). 

Kentucky By The Numbers notes several negative health challenges-15.8% food insecurity; 25.9% of adults report fair or poor health; 20.8% of adults report 14 or more days per month of poor mental health; 40.3% of adults report an overweight/obese body mass index; the community suffered 13 fatal overdoses with any drug involved from 2020-2022; and 37.7% of adults report no leisure-time physical activity. 

With such negative trends, individuals and families need tools and environments to support healthy and active lifestyle choices.

The data parallels what our residents know about our needs and the status of our community. 2024 Community Assessment results indicated the following prioritized lifestyle issues- Minimizing youth substance use; Support for substance use addiction prevention/recovery; Ensuring individuals and families have access to affordable nutritious food; Minimizing bullying and school violence; Improved access to mental health and wellbeing resources; and Food as health, food insecurity, youth and adult obesity. Extension must continue to take an active role in addressing these issues as well as others related to active living and health behaviors.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Adults:

Increased financial literacy skills

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

Improved quality of life

Increased kindergarten readiness rates in the county and state

Youth:

Youth will make sound financial decisions.

Reduced youth substance use.

Increased recovery capital.

Improved social emotional competence

 

Intermediate Outcomes:

Adults:

Implementation of financial literacy and resource management strategies/skills

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

Enhanced community partnerships that target recovery from substance use disorder

Increased use of self-care and other coping strategies

Increased healthy relationships across generations that support healthy community, nurturing behaviors, and quality time together.

Youth:

Youth will practice responsible consumer and financial management decision-making such as budgeting, actions on needs verses wants.  

 4-H members will practice general wellness habits.  

Enhanced community partnerships that target youth prevention 

Initial Outcomes:

Adults:

Strengthening financial literacy and well-being, including but not limited to, budgeting, spending wisely, saving, using credit responsibly, reducing debt, estate planning, fraud reduction, etc.

Increased knowledge about health-promoting behaviors.

Increased knowledge about addiction as a chronic disorder

Increased ability to recognize and respond to a mental health concern

Increased ability to use de-stigmatized language

Increased knowledge of self-care and other coping strategies

Increased awareness of community resources to support healthy families.

Youth:

Youth will increase knowledge in understanding personal financial management.

Increased knowledge of positive mental health practices  

Increased knowledge about substance use and its effects

Increased awareness of community resources to support prevention and recovery

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

Increased knowledge of general wellness practices 

Evaluation:

Adults Short-term:

Outcome: Improved financial and/or resource management skills (e.g., creating a budget, checking credit report, developing an estate plan, etc.) (initial)

Indicator: Number of individuals who reported developing skills related to family finance and/or resource management

Method: Self-reported surveys

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

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

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

Outcome: Increased knowledge about addiction as a chronic disorder (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

Outcome: Increased ability to recognize and respond to a mental health concern

Indicator: Number of participants who reported an increased knowledge of how to respond to mental health concerns.

Method: Post-participation survey/evaluation results

Timeline: On-going; Surveys should be administered immediately after a program

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 survey/evaluation results

Timeline: On-going; Surveys should be administered immediately after a program

Adults Medium-term:

Outcome: Increased savings (intermediate)

Indicator: Dollars reported saved as a result of participating in a financial education or family resource management program.

Method: Documentation (direct report, repeated survey) or interviews

Timeline: Ongoing/as changes are made and projects progress

Outcome: Increased and/or strengthened partnerships to address community health issues (intermediate)

Indicator: Number of community partners (community organizations, institutions, agencies, or individuals) worked with to offer health and well-being programming in the community

Method: Agent record of community partnerships utilized in programming

Timeline: Ongoing; Each partnership should be reported once per reporting period

Outcome: Increased confidence and motivation to use destigmatized language (intermediate)

Indicator: Number of participants who reported an increased ability to use destigmatized language

Method: Self-reported surveys

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

Outcome: Increased use of self-care and other coping strategies

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

Method: Follow-up survey/evaluation results

Timeline: On-going; Surveys should be administered at least 3-6 months after a program

Adults: Long-term:

Reduce the rate of chronic disease and obesity 

Community environment promotes healthy behaviors where people live, learn, work, and play

Increase in the practice and promotion of physical activity and healthy eating daily

Instances of food insecurity will decline in the community 

The prevention and/or reduction of substance abuse and its related consequences 

Youth Short-term: 

Outcome: Short term  

Indicator: 

Number of youth who reported learning  the differences between purchases made for “needs” vs “wants” 

Number of youth who reported that they learned about budgeting. 

Number of youth who reported that they learned about savings.

Method: Standard Evaluation Tool for 4-H Family Consumer Sciences: Survey

Timeline: Immediate Post Program 

Outcome: Short Term

Indicator: 

Number of youth who reported that they have identified an interest in health or wellbeing initiatives in their community. 

Number of youth who reported that they understand the importance of habits or choices that promote health and wellbeing.  

Number of youth who reported that they learned ways to be physically active  

Number of youth who reported that they learned how physical activity contributes to overall health 

Number of youth who reported that they learned how food impacts their overall health. 

Number of youth who reported that they have identified at least one job/career in health and wellbeing that fits their interest.  

Method: Standard Evaluation for 4-H Health and Wellbeing: Survey

Timeline: Immediately after program/event 

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

Outcome: Short Term 

Indicator: 

Number of partnerships with community organizations, institutions, agencies, or individuals to address mental health and wellbeing for youth in the community.

Number of youth who reported an increased knowledge of how to respond to mental health concerns.

Number of youth who intend to adopt self-care strategies to improve their own mental health and wellbeing.

Number of youth who intend to adopt strategies to support or promote mental health and wellbeing in their community.

Number of youth who reported intended behavior change as a result of participation in mental health and wellbeing programming.

Method: Survey 

Timeline: Immediately post-program

Youth Medium-term:

Outcome: Medium Term

Indicator: 

Number of youth who reported that they have used knowledge and/or skills learned in health and wellbeing programs to complete a project.   

Number of youth who reported that they have used nutrition as a way to improve their overall health.  

Number of youth who reported that they have taken steps to pursue gaining more knowledge for a job in health and wellbeing based on their interests. 

Method: Standard Evaluation for 4-H Health and Wellbeing: Survey 

Timeline: End of Club/Program Year 

Outcome: Medium Term

Indicator: 

Number of youth who reported that they have used knowledge and/or skills learned in health and wellbeing programs to complete a project.   

Number of youth who reported that they have used nutrition as a way to improve their overall health.  

Number of youth who reported that they have taken steps to pursue gaining more knowledge for a job in health and wellbeing based on their interests. 

Method: Standard Evaluation for 4-H Health and Wellbeing: Survey 

Timeline: End of Club/Program Year 

Outcome: Increased confidence and motivation to use destigmatized language (intermediate)

Indicator: Number of participants who reported an increased ability to use destigmatized language

Method: Self-reported surveys

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

Outcome: Medium Term 

Indicator: 

Number of youth who adopted self-care strategies to improve their own mental health and wellbeing.

Number of youth who adopted strategies to support or promote mental health and wellbeing in their community.

Number of youth who reported behavior change as a result of participation in mental health and wellbeing programming.

Method: Survey 

Timeline: 3-6 Months post-program 

Youth Long-term:

Outcome: Long Term

Indicator: Long-term evaluation will be conducted using the National 4-H Index Study

Method: Standard Evaluation for 4-H Health and Wellbeing: Survey

Timeline: 1 or more years

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: General Public 

Activity: Pumpkin Walk, Spring into Health, Downtown Derby, Christmas in the Foothills, and other community health programs

Content or Curriculum: UK Health Care literature, Health Bulletins, Health Department literature, community agencies, pedometers, screenings, displays, diabetes grant, physical activity options, etc.

Inputs: CES Staff, FRYSC, Healthy Hometown, Early Childhood Council, etc.

Date: Quarterly community health and wellness events beginning October 2025

Audience: Freshman Students and Families

Activity: Truth and Consequences: The Choice is Yours

Content or Curriculum: Truth and Consequences program materials, local statistics, and print materials.

Inputs: Clinton County Schools, various community partners, faith-based community, Chamber, Interagency, etc.

Date: November 2025

Audience: Senior Adults/General Public

Project or Activity: Bingocize

Content or Curriculum: Bingocize

Inputs: Churches, Nursing Home, Senior Life Improvement, Homemakers, etc.

Date: August 2025 and January 2026

Audience: Adults

Project or Activity: Wits Workout

Content or Curriculum: WITS Workout

Inputs: Community partners, volunteers

Date: August 2025 and January 2026

Audience: Individuals, Families, Employees

Project or Activity: Development of Financial Literacy Skills

Content or Curriculum: Use Less. Spend Less. Stress Less. curriculum; publications; MONEYWI$E newsletter and podcasts; PROFIT; Recovering Your Finances curriculum; OneOp; Big Blue Book Club; In the Face of Disaster; Leader Lessons; Money Habitudes; etc. 

Inputs: Programmatic materials, paid staff, volunteers, community partners, non-profit organizations, schools, financial entities and organizations, businesses, etc. 

Date: Ongoing

Audience: Families and Individuals

Project or Activity: Addiction Education

Content or Curriculum: Publications, Addiction 101, Harm Reduction 101

Inputs: Programmatic materials, community partners, ASAP Boards and Community Coalitions, residential treatment centers, detention centers, healthcare providers, clergy, and healthcare providers

Date: May 2026

Audience: Families and Individuals

Project or Activity: Mental Health Education Programming

Content or Curriculum: Adult Mental Health First Aid, QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer), CODE RED

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: October 2026; as opportunities arise

Audience: High School Students

Project or Activity: Adulting 101

Content or Curriculum: FCS publications

Inputs: Extension Staff, Homemakers, volunteers, schools, etc.

Date: March 2026

Audience: Early Childhood age students and families

Project or Activity: Laugh & Learn/Ready

Content or Curriculum: Laugh & Learn/various Extension curricula appropriate for age group

Inputs: Early Childhood Center, FRYSC, 21st Century, churches, etc.

Date: Monthly beginning August 2025

Audience: Youth and families

Activity: Summer Splash Party

Content or Curriculum:  LEAP, health and wellness bulletins, Health Rocks, etc.

Inputs: Community partners

Date: July 2025

Audience: Youth  

Project or Activity: Reality Store

Content or Curriculum: It’s Your Reality 

Inputs: 4-H Family and Consumer Sciences programs in which youth experience a sense of belonging, and developmental relationships, explore their spark, and actively engage in meaningful opportunities.  Accredited and certified volunteers in 4-H FCS projects. Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association; Clothing Volunteers; Four residential camping facilities. Cooperative Extension Educational facilities. Utilization of approved research-based curriculum. Outreach of the Cooperative Extension Land-Grant System.  Funding from the Kentucky 4-H Foundation, Inc.  Funding from local, state, and federal sources.  Engagement of youth and volunteers in program delivery.  Engaging communities in identifying and implementing programming based on local needs. 

Date: September 1 – August 30 

Audience: Youth  

Project or Activity: Nutrition and Food Preparation 

Content or Curriculum: Jump Into Food and Fitness 

Inputs: 4-H Family and Consumer Sciences programs in which youth experience a sense of belonging, and developmental relationships, explore their spark, and actively engage in meaningful opportunities.  Accredited and certified volunteers in 4-H FCS projects. Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association  Four residential camping facilities.  Cooperative Extension Educational facilities.  Utilization of approved research-based curriculum. Outreach of the Cooperative Extension Land-Grant System.  Funding from the Kentucky 4-H Foundation, Inc. Funding from local, state, and federal sources.  Engagement of youth and volunteers in program delivery. Engaging communities in identifying and implementing programming based on local needs 

Date: September 1 – August 30 

Audience: 4-Hers, Extension Professionals, Clientele 

Project or Activity: Community, Access & Engagement Programs

Content or Curriculum: 4-H LIFE utilizes the curriculum Essential Elements which is sourced from Shop 4-H. Additional curriculum and content is sourced from Shop 4-H and other Land Grant Systems. Content for Adelante 4-H has been developed by the Land Grant System and sourced from other Land Grant systems. Content for Jr. MANRRS is sourced from the MANRRS society. All curriculum and content focuses on building community, as well as increasing access and engagement of youth. 

Inputs: These programs are supported by the research base of the Cooperative Extension Land Grant System, funding from the Kentucky 4-H Foundation, Inc., local, state, and federal sources, grants and the engagement of volunteers, youth, communities, and external stakeholders such as civic groups. 

Date: Program Year

Evaluation:

Adults Short-term:

Outcome: Improved financial and/or resource management skills (e.g., creating a budget, checking credit report, developing an estate plan, etc.) (initial)

Indicator: Number of individuals who reported developing skills related to family finance and/or resource management

Method: Self-reported surveys

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

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

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

Outcome: Increased knowledge about addiction as a chronic disorder (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

Outcome: Increased ability to recognize and respond to a mental health concern

Indicator: Number of participants who reported an increased knowledge of how to respond to mental health concerns.

Method: Post-participation survey/evaluation results

Timeline: On-going; Surveys should be administered immediately after a program

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 survey/evaluation results

Timeline: On-going; Surveys should be administered immediately after a program

Adults Medium-term:

Outcome: Increased savings (intermediate)

Indicator: Dollars reported saved as a result of participating in a financial education or family resource management program.

Method: Documentation (direct report, repeated survey) or interviews

Timeline: Ongoing/as changes are made and projects progress

Outcome: Increased and/or strengthened partnerships to address community health issues (intermediate)

Indicator: Number of community partners (community organizations, institutions, agencies, or individuals) worked with to offer health and well-being programming in the community

Method: Agent record of community partnerships utilized in programming

Timeline: Ongoing; Each partnership should be reported once per reporting period

Outcome: Increased confidence and motivation to use destigmatized language (intermediate)

Indicator: Number of participants who reported an increased ability to use destigmatized language

Method: Self-reported surveys

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

Outcome: Increased use of self-care and other coping strategies

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

Method: Follow-up survey/evaluation results

Timeline: On-going; Surveys should be administered at least 3-6 months after a program

Adults: Long-term:

Reduce the rate of chronic disease and obesity 

Community environment promotes healthy behaviors where people live, learn, work, and play

Increase in the practice and promotion of physical activity and healthy eating daily

Instances of food insecurity will decline in the community 

The prevention and/or reduction of substance abuse and its related consequences 

Youth Short-term: 

Outcome: Short term  

Indicator: 

Number of youth who reported learning  the differences between purchases made for “needs” vs “wants” 

Number of youth who reported that they learned about budgeting. 

Number of youth who reported that they learned about savings.

Method: Standard Evaluation Tool for 4-H Family Consumer Sciences: Survey

Timeline: Immediate Post Program 

Outcome: Short Term

Indicator: 

Number of youth who reported that they have identified an interest in health or wellbeing initiatives in their community. 

Number of youth who reported that they understand the importance of habits or choices that promote health and wellbeing.  

Number of youth who reported that they learned ways to be physically active  

Number of youth who reported that they learned how physical activity contributes to overall health 

Number of youth who reported that they learned how food impacts their overall health. 

Number of youth who reported that they have identified at least one job/career in health and wellbeing that fits their interest.  

Method: Standard Evaluation for 4-H Health and Wellbeing: Survey

Timeline: Immediately after program/event 

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

Outcome: Short Term 

Indicator: 

Number of partnerships with community organizations, institutions, agencies, or individuals to address mental health and wellbeing for youth in the community.

Number of youth who reported an increased knowledge of how to respond to mental health concerns.

Number of youth who intend to adopt self-care strategies to improve their own mental health and wellbeing.

Number of youth who intend to adopt strategies to support or promote mental health and wellbeing in their community.

Number of youth who reported intended behavior change as a result of participation in mental health and wellbeing programming.

Method: Survey 

Timeline: Immediately post-program

Youth Medium-term:

Outcome: Medium Term

Indicator: 

Number of youth who reported that they have used knowledge and/or skills learned in health and wellbeing programs to complete a project.   

Number of youth who reported that they have used nutrition as a way to improve their overall health.  

Number of youth who reported that they have taken steps to pursue gaining more knowledge for a job in health and wellbeing based on their interests. 

Method: Standard Evaluation for 4-H Health and Wellbeing: Survey 

Timeline: End of Club/Program Year 

Outcome: Medium Term

Indicator: 

Number of youth who reported that they have used knowledge and/or skills learned in health and wellbeing programs to complete a project.   

Number of youth who reported that they have used nutrition as a way to improve their overall health.  

Number of youth who reported that they have taken steps to pursue gaining more knowledge for a job in health and wellbeing based on their interests. 

Method: Standard Evaluation for 4-H Health and Wellbeing: Survey 

Timeline: End of Club/Program Year 

Outcome: Increased confidence and motivation to use destigmatized language (intermediate)

Indicator: Number of participants who reported an increased ability to use destigmatized language

Method: Self-reported surveys

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

Outcome: Medium Term 

Indicator: 

Number of youth who adopted self-care strategies to improve their own mental health and wellbeing.

Number of youth who adopted strategies to support or promote mental health and wellbeing in their community.

Number of youth who reported behavior change as a result of participation in mental health and wellbeing programming.

Method: Survey 

Timeline: 3-6 Months post-program 

Youth Long-term:

Outcome: Long Term

Indicator: Long-term evaluation will be conducted using the National 4-H Index Study

Method: Standard Evaluation for 4-H Health and Wellbeing: Survey

Timeline: 1 or more years