Fulton County CES

County Emphasis:

Creating a healthier future by inspiring individuals, families and communities to adopt sustainable lifestyle changes.

Concentration 1:

Health and Wellbeing

Concentration 2:

Food Safety, Quality, and Access

Situation:

The opportunities and resources available to support the health and well-being of adults and families in Kentucky vary widely. Disparities in health-promoting knowledge, resources, and infrastructure contribute to higher rates of chronic health conditions and lower quality of life. Prevention, early detection, and care are essential to maintain and/or improve quality of life. Yet, this burden is often placed on individuals to navigate the

healthcare system and traditional public health entities. Additionally, for decades, little attention has been given to the external factors that undoubtedly affect health such as access to care, education, nutritious foods, and safe physical spaces. These same issues and concerns were echoed throughout the 2023 UK Cooperative Extension Community Assessment. Within the top 15 priority issues identified by Kentuckians, “ensuring individuals and families have access to affordable nutritious foods” was #4 and “reducing youth obesity through nutrition education and/or exercise” was #8. Guided by the Cooperative Extension’s National Framework for Health Equity and Well-being, UK Extension aims to become a critical public health partner for addressing disparities in health-promoting knowledge, resources, and infrastructure through comprehensive health, nutrition, and wellness programming that supports adult physical health and well-being.

 

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:

Fulton County continues to experience higher poverty rates than many other counties in Kentucky and has limited access to health resources. Like much of the state, Fulton Countians are at increased risk for chronic conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease due to factors including age, obesity, and sedentary lifestyles.

 

Higher obesity rates among Fulton County residents indicate that children in the community could significantly benefit from comprehensive health and nutrition education. Building a strong foundation of knowledge, skills, and competencies in areas such as food safety, preparation, cooking techniques, feeding practices, food science, and food systems is essential for promoting lasting dietary behavior change.

 

As rates of chronic disease and obesity continue to rise across Kentucky, individuals, families, and communities need both tools and supportive environments that empower them to make healthier dietary choices. Fulton County results from the Community Assessment have Ensuring individuals and families have access to affordable nutritious food as its highest priority issue. 

Long-Term Outcomes:

Adult     Routinely meeting guidelines and recommendations for health behaviors that promote wellness and quality of life     Community environments that equitably support health-promoting behaviors where people live, learn, work, and play     Increased availability and accessibility to community-based health resources     Reduced rate and burden of non-communicable chronic diseases and injury     Decreased health disparity prevalence in Kentucky counties     Improved quality of life   Youth     Kentucky 4-H members report decreased obesity.         Increased number of 4-Hers who pursue employment in the health and wellbeing field.      Youth will increase contributions to their communities through applying critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication learning in the 4-H Health and Well-Being Core Content Area.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Adult

 

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

    Increased and/or strengthened partnerships to address community health or safety issues

    Increased organizational/site/community support for health-promoting behaviors that equitably address community health or safety issues

 

Youth 

 

    4-H members will practice general wellness habits.   

    Increased self-reflection and exploration of personal values and beliefs related to health and well-being among 4-Hers.  

    4-H members will increase physical activity. 

Initial Outcomes:

Adult

Health promoting behaviors include but are not to, regular physical activity, safe preparation and consumption of nutritious foods, vaccinations, moderate or no consumption of alcohol, avoiding/reducing/eliminating tobacco use, health screenings, sleep, stress management, health literacy, pest prevention/reduction/management, and occupational safety.

 

    Increased knowledge about health-promoting behaviors.

    Increased awareness of community resources to support health-promoting behaviors.

    Increased confidence in making decisions related to health-promoting behaviors.

    Improved skills related to health-promoting behaviors

 

Youth

 

    Increased knowledge of positive mental health practices   

    Increased knowledge and awareness of healthy habits and practices among 4-Hers.  

    Improved attitudes and beliefs towards healthy habits and practices among 4-Hers. 

    Increased knowledge of general wellness practices

Evaluation:

Outcome    Increased knowledge about health-promoting behaviors (e.g., how to prepare nutritious foods, benefits of routine vaccinations/screenings) (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    Observation by Agent or self-reported surveys
Timeline    Post-program/curricula survey

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 intentions to employ health-promoting behaviors (e.g. vaccinations, screenings, preparation/consumption of nutritious foods, active living, pest prevention) (initial)
Indicator    Number of participants who reported intentions to implement a behavior learned from a health and well-being program
Method    Demonstration or self-reported surveys
Timeline    Post-program/curricula survey

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

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 knowledge about health-promoting behaviors (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

Learning Opportunities:

Audience    Families, Individuals, Youth
Project or Activity    Nutrition Education
Content or Curriculum    Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud resources, Farmers Market Toolkit, Super Star Chef, Professor Popcorn, LEAP, Dr. Yum, Cook Together Eat Together, Savor the Flavor, Dining with Diabetes,
Inputs    Nutrition Education Program (NEP) and Health Publications; paid staff, grant funds, facilities, Kentucky Department of Agriculture
Date(s)    April- September 2025 and 2026

Audience    Families & Individuals
Project or Activity    Physical, Environmental, and Occupational Safety
Content or Curriculum    Publications, presentations, trainings, demonstrations, In the Face of Disaster, Pest Control Short Course, Stop the Bleed
Inputs    Programmatic materials, paid staff, community partners, businesses, creative entrepreneurs, local farms/growers/producers, commodity groups, housing authorities
Date(s)    Ongoing/seasonal

Audience    Families, Individuals and Youth
Project or Activity    Physical Activity
Content or Curriculum    Publications, Faithful Families, Story Walks, Health and wellness Ambassadors, Shared Space Agreements, Health Coalitions, WIN, Health Partners, Bingocize, Walk Your Way, Families on the Move, County Walking Challenges, Mindfulness Trails, Fit Tips, Hiking for Health
Inputs    Programmatic materials, paid staff, volunteers, community partners, facilities, health coalitions, healthcare providers, health department, non-profits, schools, company health & wellness, faith-based organizations, Homemakers, community centers, etc.
Date(s)    Ongoing/seasonal

Audience: Youth  

Project or Activity: Health Rocks

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Health Rocks! Curriculum,   Substance Abuse  

Inputs: Accredited and certified volunteers in 4-H FCS projects; Outreach of the Cooperative Extension Land-Grant System; 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: 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

Evaluation:

Outcome    Increased knowledge about health-promoting behaviors (e.g., how to prepare nutritious foods, benefits of routine vaccinations/screenings) (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    Observation by Agent or self-reported surveys
Timeline    Post-program/curricula survey

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 intentions to employ health-promoting behaviors (e.g. vaccinations, screenings, preparation/consumption of nutritious foods, active living, pest prevention) (initial)
Indicator    Number of participants who reported intentions to implement a behavior learned from a health and well-being program
Method    Demonstration or self-reported surveys
Timeline    Post-program/curricula survey

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

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 knowledge about health-promoting behaviors (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