Wolfe County CES

County Emphasis:

Financial Literacy, Healthy Living, and Family Development

Concentration 1:

Financial Security and Economic Well-Being

Concentration 2:

Health and Wellbeing

Concentration 3:

Work and Life Skill Development

Concentration 4:

Family and Youth Development

Situation:

Financial Security and Economic Well-Being:

A disproportionate number of Kentuckians live in economically distressed communities (39% of Kentuckians, compared to 15% nationally). Further, most Kentucky households are concerned with financially sustaining a quality of life that allows them to survive and thrive in an economically challenged society. From housing to grocery expenses, the cost of living continues to rise, and households are ill-equipped to adjust. Securing financial stability is vital for the well-being of state constituents. The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) is committed to improving the financial security and economic well-being of families across the Commonwealth. Related CES programming is designed to help Kentuckians become more economically resilient by promoting financial literacy education, comprehensive family resource management skills, and small business engagement and support. In a 2023 University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Community Needs Assessment, with nearly 28,000 responses from across the state, Building Financial Literacy and/or Resource Management Skills was among the top 10 state-identified priority issues reported by Kentuckians, and Efforts that Support Local & Small businesses was among the top 10 Community & Economic Development needs in the state.

Health and Well-Being:

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.

Work and Life Skill Development:

Kentucky household income statistics are concerning, with the median household income in Kentucky on a downward trend (i.e., approximately $55,100, which is 74% of the U.S. median income). Most alarming, it is estimated that nearly 62% of Kentucky households do not generate sufficient income to meet living wage standards given the state’s average cost of living. The Kentucky Center for Business and Economic Research (2024) projects that, “a key for Kentucky’s future economic growth is to identify and successfully implement programs that increase the employment-population ratio, particularly for working-age adults.” The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) is committed to improving the work and life skill development of adults across the Commonwealth by offering programming designed to increase the human capital of constituents. This includes providing education and training on topics such as workforce preparation, job readiness, financial literacy, soft skills, and professionalism, among others. In a 2023 University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Community Needs Assessment, with nearly 28,000 responses from across the state, Building Employee Soft Skills (e.g., communication, productivity, and teamwork skills) and Building Life Skills of Community Members were among the top ten Individual and Family Development Needs reported by Kentuckians. 

Family and Youth Development:

Family and Youth Development programming is essential for fostering healthy, supportive environments where both children and adults can thrive. By offering structured activities and educational workshops, UK Extension aims to build strong family bonds equipping young people and older adults with critical life skills. Guided by the Cooperative Extension’s National Framework for Health Equity and Well-being, our programming also addresses social and emotional needs throughout the lifespan, promoting resilience and positive relationships which are two of the key concerns identified in the top 15 needs of Kentucky’s statewide needs assessment. Investing in such programs can prevent future challenges by supporting early intervention and personal growth. Ultimately, these initiatives contribute to the well-being of individuals and the stability of communities, making them a vital component of social development.

County Situation:

According to the U.S. Census Bureau in 2023, out of Wolfe County's population of 6,282 individuals, 28.6% of those were in poverty. From 2019-2022, percent of people with any debt in collections equaled 37.1%, with the median amount totaling $1,301. As of February 2022, 33.5% of individuals had some sort of auto or retail debt. The median income for households was $28,666, and $34,475 for families with children under 18 (2018-2022). This is significantly under the U.S. Census Bureau's national median of $74,580 in 2022.

From 2019 to 2023, 66% of individuals aged 25 and above were high school graduates. Meanwhile, 7.4% of those 25+ had earned a Bachelor's degree. In years 2019 to 2023, the average household consisted of an average of 2.5 individuals, noting a family-centered home life in Wolfe County on average.

In 2020, the statewide community needs assessment studied individuals' physical and mental health.

Percent of Adults Reporting Fair or Poor Health was 32.4%.  Average Number of Physically Unhealthy Days Reported in Past 30 Days was 6.3 days. Percent of Adults Reporting 14 or more Days of Poor Physical Health per Month was 20.9%. The Average Number of Mentally Unhealthy Days Reported in Past 30 Days was 6.9 days. Percent of Adults Reporting 14 or more Days of Poor Mental Health per Month equaled  23.3%.

In 2022, there were a total of 91 employer establishments, 974 employed workers, with an average commute of 31+ minutes to from 2019-2023 for those 16 and above. 

The above statistics speak for themselves in terms of the dire needs of the people in Wolfe County. Poverty is rampant, stifling dreams of higher education and personal opportunity. Families in the home often face the responsibility of caring for elderly relatives and grown children due to the constrictions of poverty and debt, lack of opportunity, health issues, etc. This lack of opportunity is what makes it so difficult for individuals to gain footing via financial independence. The commonality of health issues in the aging population exacerbates and compounds these challenges with others. Finance, health, and family/skill development all affect each other in a multitude of ways.

Addressing these problems head-on, either all at once, or one at a time, is bound to yield positive outcome. Wolfe County is a beautiful community with plenty of opportunity to flourish and bring forth positive change in people's lives.

During Extension Council meetings, the primary topic emphasized as the core focus of Family and Consumer Sciences' Plan of Work, was financial classes and economic literacy development. This is an excellent area of focus, in which impacts of financial literacy plays a positive role in other core focuses in this Plan of Work as well, including Healthy Living along with Family and Skill Development.

These community needs and issues also play a role in agriculture and youth development fields as well. Many Kentucky farmers face depression/isolation, and other mental/physical health issues. Agriculture has a notable aging population with all sorts of health issues, where consciously eating healthy and gaining knowledge on finances greatly impacts their day to day lives.

Likewise, youth hold the opportunity of gaining financial literacy and healthy habits at an early age. Establishing positive health habits such as exercise and healthy eating is essential to bettering their lives for the future. Becoming financially literate while preparing to enter the workforce is another way youth will establish footing toward future success and a healthy mind.

We will collaborate with the ANR field to establish healthy activities and financial literacy programming aimed toward meeting farmers where they are. This would include talking with vendors at the farmers market and offering information and classes on finances. This would include information dedicated to saving farmers money and making their lives easier. Healthy SNAP recipes with local farmer's market ingredients would be sampled and distributed, along with health programming and exercise information. 

The same would be done for the 4-H audience in youth programs, schools, and other Extension events. In collaboration with 4-H, healthy SNAP recipes would be distributed and sampled, ideally with local farmers market ingredients. The 4-H Garden Club would be a great opportunity for discussing healthy eating, exercise, the positive effects of gardening on mental health, and financial aspects. 4-H collaboration would be continued in offering youth programming addressing financial literacy such as developing and maintaining credit score, taxation overview, saving money by thrifting and buying used items, etc.

Once proper training has been achieved and comfortability toward canning programming, this would be great subject matter to offer at the Farmer's Market. Establishing Leadership and Youth Leadership in programs such as KEHA and Master Clothing Volunteers would be ideal as well.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Financial Security and Economic Well-Being:

• Increased financial literacy skills 
• Improved financial security and stability 
• Improved financial and economic well-being

Health and Well-Being:

• 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

Work and Life Skill Development:

• Increased human capital among Kentuckians
• Decrease in state unemployment rates
• Improved quality of workforce

Family and Youth Development:

• Increased meaningful social connections
• Increased support network
• Increased kindergarten readiness rates in the county and state
• Increased caregiver preparation
• Improved quality of family life

Intermediate Outcomes:

Financial Security and Economic Well-Being:

• Increased sound financial decision making
• Implementation of financial literacy and resource management strategies/skills
• Increased savings (e.g., as a result of budgeting, saving, reducing debt, spending wisely, stretching resources)
• Increased access to community financial resources

Health and Well-Being:

• 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

Work and Life Skill Development:

• Increased implementation of employability strategies/skills
• Increased salary/income
• Increased employment

Family and Youth Development:

• Increased healthy relationships across generations that support healthy community, nurturing behaviors, and quality time together.
• Enhanced community partnership that equitably support family health (e.g., FRISC, Health Depart., DAIL, AAA,)

Initial Outcomes:

Financial Security and Economic Well-Being:

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. 

• Improved financial literacy knowledge Improved employability and interpersonal skills 
• Increased confidence to implement employability strategies 
• Developed strategies for maintaining a health work-life balance

Health and Well-Being:

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

Work and Life Skill Development:

Strengthening work and life skills, including but not limited to, developing workforce development skills, employability and interpersonal skills, and work-life management strategies. 

• Developed skills related to workforce development 
• Improved employability and interpersonal skills 
• Increased confidence to implement employability strategies 
• Developed strategies for maintaining a health work-life balance

Family and Youth Development:

Strengthening family behaviors include, but are not limited to, spending time together, creating safe environments, engaging in positive communication, building supportive networks, showing appreciation, healthy stress management, engaging in regular selfcare, and adopting a positive outlook. 

• Increased knowledge about nurturing parenting and caregiving across the life span. 
• Increased awareness of community resources to support healthy families. 
• Increased confidence making decisions related to parenting and caregiving. 
• Increased confidence and motivation to reduce loneliness and social isolation. 
• Improved skills related to nurturing parenting and caregiver support 
• Increased intentions to employ health-promoting behaviors (e.g., reading to your child, spending time together, self-care, caregiver preparation, active living).

Evaluation:

Financial Security and Economic Well-Being

Initial Outcome: Improved knowledge related to financial literacy concepts.

Indicator: Number of individuals who reported increased knowledge of family finance and/or resource management concepts.

Method: Self-reported surveys.

Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration.

Intermediate Outcome: Increased sound financial decision making.

Indicator: Number of individuals who made a sound financial decision (e.g., regarding credit, budgeting, savings, debt, estate planning, fraud reduction, etc.).

Method: Self-reported surveys, documentation, or interviews

Timeline: Follow-up evaluations to capture action/behavior change over time.

Long-term Outcome: Developed a notable positive change in financial habits thanks to gained knowledge from curriculum.

Indicator: Number of individuals who have begun to consistently make sound financial decisions (e.g., regarding credit, budgeting, savings, debt, estate planning, fraud reduction, etc.).

Method: Self-reported surveys, documentation, or interviews

Timeline: 1 or more years

Health and Wellbeing

Initial Outcome: Increased knowledge about health-promoting behaviors.

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: Survey

Timeline: Post-program/activity completion.

Intermediate Outcome: Increased health-promoting behaviors.

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: Follow-up evaluations to capture action/behavior change over time.

Long-term Outcome: Increased health-promoting behaviors that support family and community health.

Indicator: Number of physical activity minutes recorded by a participant/miles walked per day/week.

Method: Self-reported surveys, documentation, or interviews

Timeline: End of program; Repeated self-reported surveys and/or follow-up evaluations to capture change over time.

Work and Life Skill Development

Initial Outcome: Increased confidence to implement employability strategies.

Indicator: Number of participants who reported improvement in their confidence to implement employment strategies as a result of participation.

Method: Survey

Timeline: Post-program/activity completion.

Intermediate Outcome: Implementation of employability strategies/skills

Indicator: Number of participants who developed a resume as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach.

Method: Demonstration or self-reported surveys.

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

Long-term Outcome: Developed employability strategies/skills and confidence that has been used in real case scenarios to achieve a goal.

Indicator: Number of participants who have utilized their newfound confidence and employability skills to reach a new career goal or success.

Method: Self-reported surveys, documentation, or interviews

Timeline: Annual

Family and Youth Development

Initial Outcome: Increased initiative to develop family relationships and exercise mind with WITS Workout brain games.

Indicator: Number of participants who initiative to participate in cognitive exercise practices.

Method: Survey

Timeline: Post-program/activity completion.

Intermediate Outcome: Implementation of WITS workout cognitive exercises.

Indicator: Number of participants who acknowledged implementation of WITS workout cognitive exercises.

Method: Demonstration or self-reported surveys.

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

Long-term Outcome: Developed routine cognitive exercise schedule and lasting positive cognitive impacts over time along with improvement to family relationships and activities.

Indicator: Number of participants participate in cognitive exercises on a regular basis and experience positive benefits from practice.

Method: Self-reported surveys, documentation, or interviews

Timeline: Annual

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Individuals, Families, Employees (Financial Security and Economic Well-Being)

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; In the Face of Disaster; Leader Lessons; Money Habitudes; etc.

Inputs: Programmatic materials, volunteers, community partners, financial entities and organizations, businesses, etc.

Date: Summer

Audience: Families and Individuals (Health and Wellbeing)

Project or Activity: Family & Community Health

Content or Curriculum: Walk Your Way Challenge

Inputs: Programmatic materials, volunteers, community partners, health coalitions, etc.

Date: Summer

Audience: Individuals, Families, Employees (Work and Life Skill Development):

Project or Activity: Development of Employability Skills

Content or Curriculum: Positive Employability; Preparing for Financial Success curriculum; publications, newsletters (e.g., MONEYWI$E); Job Club; podcasts; PROFIT; Recovering Your Finances curriculum; OneOp; Enhancing Essential Skills Through the Arts curriculum and lessons, Artist Studio Guide lessons, publications

Inputs: Programmatic materials, paid staff, volunteers, community partners, non-profit organizations, schools, Court system, community centers, etc.

Date: Fall/Winter

Audience: Families and Individuals (Family and Youth Development)

Project or Activity: Communication/Relationships Across the Lifespan & Cognitive Exercise/Stress Management

Content or Curriculum: WITS Workout

Inputs: Programmatic materials, volunteers, community partners, non-profit organizations, schools, Court system, community centers, etc.

Date: Summer/Fall

Evaluation:

Financial Security and Economic Well-Being

Initial Outcome: Improved knowledge related to financial literacy concepts.

Indicator: Number of individuals who reported increased knowledge of family finance and/or resource management concepts.

Method: Self-reported surveys.

Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration.

Intermediate Outcome: Increased sound financial decision making.

Indicator: Number of individuals who made a sound financial decision (e.g., regarding credit, budgeting, savings, debt, estate planning, fraud reduction, etc.).

Method: Self-reported surveys, documentation, or interviews

Timeline: Follow-up evaluations to capture action/behavior change over time.

Long-term Outcome: Developed a notable positive change in financial habits thanks to gained knowledge from curriculum.

Indicator: Number of individuals who have begun to consistently make sound financial decisions (e.g., regarding credit, budgeting, savings, debt, estate planning, fraud reduction, etc.).

Method: Self-reported surveys, documentation, or interviews

Timeline: 1 or more years

Health and Wellbeing

Initial Outcome: Increased knowledge about health-promoting behaviors.

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: Survey

Timeline: Post-program/activity completion.

Intermediate Outcome: Increased health-promoting behaviors.

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: Follow-up evaluations to capture action/behavior change over time.

Long-term Outcome: Increased health-promoting behaviors that support family and community health.

Indicator: Number of physical activity minutes recorded by a participant/miles walked per day/week.

Method: Self-reported surveys, documentation, or interviews

Timeline: End of program; Repeated self-reported surveys and/or follow-up evaluations to capture change over time.

Work and Life Skill Development

Initial Outcome: Increased confidence to implement employability strategies.

Indicator: Number of participants who reported improvement in their confidence to implement employment strategies as a result of participation.

Method: Survey

Timeline: Post-program/activity completion.

Intermediate Outcome: Implementation of employability strategies/skills

Indicator: Number of participants who developed a resume as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach.

Method: Demonstration or self-reported surveys.

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

Long-term Outcome: Developed employability strategies/skills and confidence that has been used in real case scenarios to achieve a goal.

Indicator: Number of participants who have utilized their newfound confidence and employability skills to reach a new career goal or success.

Method: Self-reported surveys, documentation, or interviews

Timeline: Annual

Family and Youth Development

Initial Outcome: Increased initiative to develop family relationships and exercise mind with WITS Workout brain games.

Indicator: Number of participants who initiative to participate in cognitive exercise practices.

Method: Survey

Timeline: Post-program/activity completion.

Intermediate Outcome: Implementation of WITS workout cognitive exercises.

Indicator: Number of participants who acknowledged implementation of WITS workout cognitive exercises.

Method: Demonstration or self-reported surveys.

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

Long-term Outcome: Developed routine cognitive exercise schedule and lasting positive cognitive impacts over time along with improvement to family relationships and activities.

Indicator: Number of participants participate in cognitive exercises on a regular basis and experience positive benefits from practice.

Method: Self-reported surveys, documentation, or interviews

Timeline: Annual