Daviess County CES

County Emphasis:

Community Health and Wellbeing

Concentration 1:

Health and Wellbeing

Concentration 2:

Substance Use Prevention and Recovery

Concentration 3:

Mental Health and Well-Being

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.   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 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.  Though substance use and substance use disorder have been pressing social problems for decades, the public health burden and consequence associated with substance use has rapidly worsened in recent years. Cooperative Extension is uniquely positioned, both with deep connections to each Kentucky county and with its transdisciplinary team of specialists, to address the holistic needs of Kentuckians who use drugs including mental health, fair housing, second-chance employment, nutrition and physical health, and much more.  Substance use and substance use disorder are persistent public health problems in Kentucky. Kentucky youth fare worse than their US counterparts in terms of numerous indicators of drug use and drug-related harm including cigarette and smokeless tobacco use, vaping, alcohol use, and illicit drug use such as opioid and methamphetamine use. Accordingly, the recent University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service Needs Assessment (2023) indicated substance use prevention is the primary concern among most Kentucky counties. Cooperative Extension is well-positioned with deep collaborative community ties to support evidence-based prevention programming. Such programs may target substance use directly or indirectly by focusing on pertinent risk and protective factors and promoting overall well-being for Kentucky youth.  More than ever before, people are feeling the burden of stress on their wellbeing. More than 1 in 5 adults in the United States lives with a mental illness; in Kentucky, 43% of adults report signs or symptoms of anxiety or depression across their lifespan. Concern over the state of mental health and access to care was echoed in the Cooperative Extension Community Needs Assessment, where respondents listed “improved access to mental health and wellbeing resources” as one of the top 6 priority issues. Kentuckians are aware of their need for knowledge and skills to recognize and respond to a mental health challenge, whether it be their own or to help someone else, and the ability to advocate for more mental health resources in all areas of the state.   Kentucky’s youth population deserves safe and nurturing environments that foster their growth and wellbeing. Unfortunately, mental health challenges affect a significant portion of our youth, with 17% of those aged 6-17 experiencing mental health disorders, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (2023), and only 50% receiving treatment. Nationally, 45% of 4-H participants reported high stress in a 2023 survey by 4-H.org. The University of Kentucky Community Needs Assessment (2023) indicates priorities of improve access to mental health and wellbeing resources, minimizing bullying and/or school violence, stronger parenting and relationship-building skills, and social, emotional, and/or behavioral education for adults working with youth. To address these concerns, the 4-H Program provides evidence-based educational programs focused on positive mental health and self-care, aiming to empower youth with decision-making and critical thinking skills, fostering resilience and overall wellbeing.

County Situation:

In the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service Needs Assessment (2024), numerous key priorities were identified by the citizens of Daviess County as things needing to be addressed. The Daviess County Extension Council determined the following to be top priority from the results of the Community Needs Assessment: minimizing youth substance abuse, coping strategies to support youth well-being, improved access to mental health and wellbeing resources, support for substance use addiction to prevent/recovery, collaborations among community organizations and local government (particularly representing or working with underserved populations), reducing youth obesity through nutrition education and/or exercise, and food as health: addressing food insecurity and diet-related chronic illnesses.

Long-Term Outcomes:

• Increased availability and accessibility to community-based health resources
• Decreased health disparity prevalence in Daviess County
• Improved quality of life
• Decreased report in youth obesity
• Reduced adult substance use
• Reduced youth substance use
• Increased access to mental health care and resources for all

Intermediate Outcomes:

• Increased and/or strengthened partnerships to address community health or safety issues
• Increased health-promoting behaviors that support family, community, and occupational health and safety
• Increased physical activity in youth
• Enhanced community partnerships to target recovery from substance use disorder
• Increased availability and accessibility of evidence-based prevention programs
• Enhanced community partnerships that target youth prevention
• Increased partnerships (number or strength) to address mental health and wellbeing issues within the community
• Increased use of self-care and other coping strategies

Initial Outcomes:

• Increased confidence in making decisions related to health promoting behaviors
• Increased awareness of community resources to support health-promoting behaviors
• Increased awareness of community resources to support prevention and recovery
• Increased knowledge of self-care and other coping strategies
• Increased knowledge of mental health and well-being resources (interpersonal and community-based)
• Increased knowledge of positive mental health practices

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Participants in Recovery will show knowledge gained in how gardening helps in recovery process.

Indicator: Participants will become involved with the garden and with consuming vegetables from the garden.

Method: Survey 

Timeline: At the end of their program

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 survey/evaluation

Timeline: Ongoing, surveys administered immediately after a program

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

Indicator: Number of participants who intend to adopt strategies to support or promote mental health and well-being in their community

Method: Post-participation survey/evaluation

Timeline: Ongoing, surveys administered immediately after a program

Initial Outcome: Short-term (youth)

Indicator: Number of partnerships with community organizations, institutions, agencies, or individuals to address mental health and well-being for youth in the community

Method: Agent record of community partnerships utilized in youth programming

Timeline: Ongoing

Initial Outcome: Short-term (youth)

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

Method: Post-participation survey/evaluation

Timeline: Ongoing, surveys administered immediately after a program

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 participating in a health and well-being program

Method: Self-reported survey

Timeline: Ongoing, surveys administered immediately after a program

Initial Outcome: Short-term (youth)

Indicator: Number of youth who reported that they understand the importance of habits or choices that promote health and well-being

Method: Post-participation survey/evaluation

Timeline: Ongoing, surveys administered immediately after a program

Initial Outcome: Increased awareness of community resources to support prevention and recovery 

Indicator: Number of partnerships with community organizations, institutions, agencies, or individuals to address substance use/recovery in the community

Method: Agent record of community partnerships utilized in programming

Timeline: Ongoing

Initial Outcome: Increased knowledge about substance use and its effects 

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

Method: Self-report surveys

Timeline: Ongoing, surveys administered immediately after a program

Initial Outcome: Increased intentions to employ health-promoting behaviors 

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

Method: Self-report surveys

Timeline: Ongoing, surveys administered immediately after a program

Intermediate Outcome: Increased partnerships (number or strength) to address mental health and well-being issues within the community 

Indicator: Number of partnerships with community organizations, institutions, agencies, or individuals to address mental health and well-being in the community

Method: Agent record of community partnerships utilized in programming

Timeline: Ongoing

Intermediate 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

Timeline: Ongoing, surveys administered 3-6 months after program

Intermediate Outcome: Increased and/or strengthened partnerships to address community health issues 

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

Intermediate Outcome: Increased organizational/site/community supports for health-promoting behaviors that equitably address community health and safety issues 

Indicator: Number of projects or initiatives working to improve a community health or safety issue

Method: Documentation (direct observation, photo, repeated survey) or interviews

Timeline: Ongoing, as changes are made and projects progress

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Farmers and Agriculture Industry, Communities

Project or Activity: BARN Program

Content or Curriculum: BARN (Bringing Awareness Right Now) Farm Dinner Theater, Pathways to Wellness

Inputs: 4-H Agent, FCS Agent, ANR Agent, UK Healthcare, Owensboro Health, State Specialists

Date: Early 2026

Audience: Elementary School Youth

Project or Activity: Progressive Ag Safety Day

Content or Curriculum: Approved Progressive Ag Safety Day Curriculum

Inputs: 4-H Agents, FCS Agent, ANR Agent, Extension Volunteers

Date: Fall 2025

Audience: Families and Individuals

Project or Activity: Drug Education Program/Addiction Education

Content or Curriculum: Extension Publications, Substance Use Prevention

Inputs: Horticulture Agent, 4-H Agent, Community Partners, Health Coalitions, School Staff

Date: July 2025-September 2025, February 2026- Summer 2026

Audience: Families and Individuals

Project or Activity: Ag Day

Content or Curriculum: Extension Publications, UK Health Care

Inputs: Horticulture Agent, Agriculture Agent, KY Dept. of Ag

Date: July 2025

Audience: Adults

Project or Activity: Wits Workout

Content or Curriculum: Wits Workout

Inputs: FCS Agent, Program Assistant, Public Library

Date: 2025-2026

Audience: Families and Individuals

Project or Activity: Nutrition Education

Content or Curriculum: Cook Together Eat Together, Plan Eat Move, Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud, Food as a Health Toolkit

Inputs: FCS Agent, 4-H Agent, Program Assistant, NEP Assistant, Community Partners, Farmers' Market

Date: 2025-2026

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Participants in Recovery will show knowledge gained in how gardening helps in recovery process.

Indicator: Participants will become involved with the garden and with consuming vegetables from the garden.

Method: Survey 

Timeline: At the end of their program

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 survey/evaluation

Timeline: Ongoing, surveys administered immediately after a program

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

Indicator: Number of participants who intend to adopt strategies to support or promote mental health and well-being in their community

Method: Post-participation survey/evaluation

Timeline: Ongoing, surveys administered immediately after a program

Initial Outcome: Short-term (youth)

Indicator: Number of partnerships with community organizations, institutions, agencies, or individuals to address mental health and well-being for youth in the community

Method: Agent record of community partnerships utilized in youth programming

Timeline: Ongoing

Initial Outcome: Short-term (youth)

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

Method: Post-participation survey/evaluation

Timeline: Ongoing, surveys administered immediately after a program

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 participating in a health and well-being program

Method: Self-reported survey

Timeline: Ongoing, surveys administered immediately after a program

Initial Outcome: Short-term (youth)

Indicator: Number of youth who reported that they understand the importance of habits or choices that promote health and well-being

Method: Post-participation survey/evaluation

Timeline: Ongoing, surveys administered immediately after a program

Initial Outcome: Increased awareness of community resources to support prevention and recovery 

Indicator: Number of partnerships with community organizations, institutions, agencies, or individuals to address substance use/recovery in the community

Method: Agent record of community partnerships utilized in programming

Timeline: Ongoing

Initial Outcome: Increased knowledge about substance use and its effects 

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

Method: Self-report surveys

Timeline: Ongoing, surveys administered immediately after a program

Initial Outcome: Increased intentions to employ health-promoting behaviors 

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

Method: Self-report surveys

Timeline: Ongoing, surveys administered immediately after a program

Intermediate Outcome: Increased partnerships (number or strength) to address mental health and well-being issues within the community 

Indicator: Number of partnerships with community organizations, institutions, agencies, or individuals to address mental health and well-being in the community

Method: Agent record of community partnerships utilized in programming

Timeline: Ongoing

Intermediate 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

Timeline: Ongoing, surveys administered 3-6 months after program

Intermediate Outcome: Increased and/or strengthened partnerships to address community health issues 

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

Intermediate Outcome: Increased organizational/site/community supports for health-promoting behaviors that equitably address community health and safety issues 

Indicator: Number of projects or initiatives working to improve a community health or safety issue

Method: Documentation (direct observation, photo, repeated survey) or interviews

Timeline: Ongoing, as changes are made and projects progress