Strengthening Families of Bourbon County Plan of Work
Bourbon County CES
County Emphasis:
Strengthening Families of Bourbon County
Concentration 1:
Work and Life Skill Development
Concentration 2:
Food Safety, Quality, and Access
Concentration 3:
Health and Wellbeing
Concentration 4:
Financial Security and Economic Well-Being
Situation:
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.
Food Safety, Quality and Access
It is proven that people who have access to and consume their daily dietary requirements of fresh fruits and vegetables are less likely to suffer from chronic conditions such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease and have an increased quality of life. Having the knowledge and skills to prepare or preserve fresh fruits and vegetables presents an additional barrier beyond obtaining fresh food access.
With the goal of increasing the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) aims to increase access to fresh food, as well as increase knowledge and awareness of how to select, store, safely prepare, process, and preserve these foods. CES prioritizes statewide partnership development that helps us meet our goals and objectives. We collaborate with statewide agencies including Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Community Farm Alliance, KY Farm to School Network, Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife and others to help build statewide systems that increase access and usage of fresh fruits and vegetables. These programs benefit Kentuckians because they support food access policy, systems and environmental changes in communities and across the state. They increase knowledge of how to grow, prepare, and preserve fresh fruits and vegetables.
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.
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
County Situation:
Based on the provided statistics from Community Assessment in Bourbon County, the development of programming should be strategically focused on (#1 concern) improving access to nutritious food, (#2 concern)mental health resources, and (tied for #2 concern)financial literacy, while accounting for the county’s unique demographic and geographic challenges.
Key statistics to support the concern of improving access to nutritious food:
38% obese
12% limited access to food
65% of the population is 65 and older
44.4% live in low population density areas
Key statistics to support the concern of improving mental health and wellbeing resources:
28% of children live in single-parent households
14% poverty rate
5% unemployment
High rural population (44.4%) contributes to isolation
Key statistics to support the concern of financial literacy and resource management skills:
14% poverty
5% unemployment
28% of children in single-parent homes
High senior population
Long-Term Outcomes:
Work and Life Skill Development
- Increased human capital among Bourbon Countians
- Improved quality of workforce
Food Safety, Quality and Access
- Decrease in the number of Kentuckians with chronic health conditions such as diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease.
- More Kentuckians routinely met the guidelines for the consumption of (locally-grown) fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Youth decrease poor overall health
Health and Well Being
- Routinely meeting guidelines and recommendations for health behaviors that promote wellness and quality of life
- Increased availability and accessibility to community-based health resources
- Reduced rate and burden of non-communicable chronic diseases and injury
- Improved quality of life
Financial Security and Economic Well-Being
- Increased financial literacy skills
- Improved financial security and stability
Intermediate Outcomes:
Work and Life Skill Development
- Increased implementation of employability strategies/skills
- Increase employment
- Increased salary/income
Food Safety, Quality and Access
- Improved dietary habits through: consumption of more fruits and vegetables, a variety of proteins and the number of meals prepared at home.
- Youth will practice making wise nutrition choices.
- Youth will practice food safety.
- Youth will access nutritious foods.
- Youth will prepare nutritious foods.
- Youth will eat a variety of healthy foods daily.
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
Financial Security and Economic Well-Being
- Increased sound financial decision making
- Increased savings (e.g., as a result of budgeting, saving, reducing debt, spending wisely, stretching resources)
- Increased access to community financial resources
Initial Outcomes:
Work and Life Skill Development
- Developed skills related to workforce development
- Improved employability and interpersonal skills
- Increased confidence to implement employability strategies
Food Safety, Quality and Access
- Increased awareness of Extension resources and programs supporting food access.
- Improved skills related to safe food preparation and food preservation.
- Increased participation in Homebased Microprocessing workshops.
- Increased awareness and accessibility of community resources available to access fresh foods.
- Youth will learn how to make wise nutrition choices.
- Youth will learn the importance of food safety.
- Youth learn how to access nutritious foods.
- Youth will learn how to prepare nutritious foods.
- Youth will aspire to eat a variety of healthy foods daily
Health and Well Being
- 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
Financial Security and Economic Well-Being
- Improved financial literacy knowledge
- Improved employability and interpersonal skills
- Increased confidence to implement employability strategies
Evaluation:
Work and Life Skill Development
Outcome: Developed skills related to workforce development (initial)
Indicator: Number of individuals who reported learning new skills to prepare or improved themselves for the workforce as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach
Method: Self-reported surveys
Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration
Outcome: Improved employability and/or interpersonal skills (e.g., job interview skills, communication, networking, time management) (initial)
Indicator: (1) Number of participants who reported improvement in job interview skills; (2) Number of participants who reported improvement in personal skills.
Method: Self-reported surveys
Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration or follow-up evaluation
Outcome: Increased confidence to implement employability strategies (initial)
Indicator: Number of participants who reported improvement in their confidence to implement employment strategies as a result of participation.
Method: Self-reported surveys
Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration
Food Safety, Quality and Access
Outcome: Increased awareness and accessibility of Extension resources and programs supporting food access. (initial)
Indicator:
- Number of individuals reporting an increased awareness of how to find and prepare local food including responsible hunting/fishing/foraging.
- Number of policy, systems, and/or environmental changes implemented within communities and organizations to promote active living, and healthy eating, including local food production and/or hunting/foraging and consumption (e.g. local food pantry can accept fresh foods or local game; starting/revitalizing a school or community garden; starting a walking club, etc.).
- Number of individuals who reported increasing their knowledge, skills, or intentions regarding nutrition and accessing healthy foods through Extension programs and resources.
- Number of individuals who were introduced to healthy food access points (e.g. farmers’ markets, CSAs, WIC, food pantries) through Extension programs or resources.
Method: Pre/post participant evaluations from: NEP agent-led curricula, Food Preservation, Champion Food Volunter Leader Training; the Learning Kitchen Participant follow-up eval. TBD; # of certified Champion Food Volunteers in each county;
Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration; annual fiscal year (food system impact survey)
Outcome: Improved skills related to safe food preparation and food preservation. (initial)
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)
Outcome: Increased participation in Homebased Microprocessing workshops. (initial)
Indicator:
- Number of farms or food businesses who retained or expanded market opportunities and/or sales including locally produced foods.
- Number of individuals who attended certificate-based training on food safety, food preservation, food processing, liability, and/or marketing. (This includes: PBPT, Produce Safety Alliance Training, Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) training, Value Chain Coordination Services Training, Farmers Market Sampling, Home-based Microprocessing….).
Method: HBM Post-Workshop Evaluation
Timeline: Annual (calendar year)
Health and Well Being
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 administration
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
Financial Security and Economic Well Being
Outcome: Improved knowledge related to financial literacy concepts (initial)
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
Outcome: Increased confidence to implement family finance and resource management skills (e.g., budgeting, spending wisely, saving, using credit responsibly, reducing debt, estate planning, reducing fraud, etc.) (initial)
Indicator: Number of individuals who reported improved confidence to implement family finance and/or resource management skills.
Method: Self-reported surveys
Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration
Outcome: Implementation of financial literacy and resource management strategies/skills (intermediate)
Indicator: Number of individuals who implemented at least one strategy to better manage their family finances and resources (e.g., considered wants/needs, avoided bank fees, reviewed tax forms, set savings goals, started estate plan, developed budget, increased fraud protection, etc.).
Method: Self-reported surveys, documentation, or interviews
Timeline: Follow-up evaluations to capture action/behavior change over time.
Learning Opportunities:
Work and Life Skill Development
Audience: Individuals, Families, Employees
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: Ongoing
Food Safety, Quality and Access
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.
Dates: Ongoing
Audience: Individuals & Farmers
Project or Activity: Home Based Micro Processing
Content or Curriculum: HBMP Training materials
Inputs: Programmatic materials, paid staff, volunteers, community partners, facilities, health department, State of Kentucky, KDA, non-profits, schools, faith-based organizations, Homemakers, community centers, farmers, farmers’ markets, etc.
Dates: Ongoing
Health and Well Being
Audience: Families and Individuals
Project or Activity: Family & Community Health
Content or Curriculum: Publications, presentations, trainings, demonstrations, Health Bulletins, Pathways to Wellness, resources for early care and education settings, Health Literacy for the Win, Health Family Guides, Healthy Homemakers, Vaccine and on-site clinic opportunities, chronic disease prevention programs and materials, health fairs, hygiene education
Inputs: Programmatic materials, paid staff, volunteers, community partners, health coalitions, healthcare providers, health departments, non-profits, faith-based organizations, schools, company health & wellness, community centers, etc.
Date: Ongoing
Audience: Families & Individuals
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: Ongoing/seasonal
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
Financial Security and Economic Well-Being
Audience: Individual, Families
Project or Activity: Development of Financial Literacy Skills
Content or Curriculum: Use Less, Spend Less. Stress Less, MONEYWI$E newsletter and podcasts; PROFIT; Recovering Your Finances; Big Blue Book Club; In the Face of Disaster, Leader Lessons; Money Habitudes
Inputs: Programmatic materials, paid staff, volunteers, community partners, non-profit organizations, schools, financial entities and organizations, businesses, etc.
Date: Ongoing
Evaluation:
Work and Life Skill Development
Outcome: Developed skills related to workforce development (initial)
Indicator: Number of individuals who reported learning new skills to prepare or improved themselves for the workforce as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach
Method: Self-reported surveys
Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration
Outcome: Improved employability and/or interpersonal skills (e.g., job interview skills, communication, networking, time management) (initial)
Indicator: (1) Number of participants who reported improvement in job interview skills; (2) Number of participants who reported improvement in personal skills.
Method: Self-reported surveys
Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration or follow-up evaluation
Outcome: Increased confidence to implement employability strategies (initial)
Indicator: Number of participants who reported improvement in their confidence to implement employment strategies as a result of participation.
Method: Self-reported surveys
Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration
Food Safety, Quality and Access
Outcome: Increased awareness and accessibility of Extension resources and programs supporting food access. (initial)
Indicator:
- Number of individuals reporting an increased awareness of how to find and prepare local food including responsible hunting/fishing/foraging.
- Number of policy, systems, and/or environmental changes implemented within communities and organizations to promote active living, and healthy eating, including local food production and/or hunting/foraging and consumption (e.g. local food pantry can accept fresh foods or local game; starting/revitalizing a school or community garden; starting a walking club, etc.).
- Number of individuals who reported increasing their knowledge, skills, or intentions regarding nutrition and accessing healthy foods through Extension programs and resources.
- Number of individuals who were introduced to healthy food access points (e.g. farmers’ markets, CSAs, WIC, food pantries) through Extension programs or resources.
Method: Pre/post participant evaluations from: NEP agent-led curricula, Food Preservation, Champion Food Volunter Leader Training; the Learning Kitchen Participant follow-up eval. TBD; # of certified Champion Food Volunteers in each county;
Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration; annual fiscal year (food system impact survey)
Outcome: Improved skills related to safe food preparation and food preservation. (initial)
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)
Outcome: Increased participation in Homebased Microprocessing workshops. (initial)
Indicator:
- Number of farms or food businesses who retained or expanded market opportunities and/or sales including locally produced foods.
- Number of individuals who attended certificate-based training on food safety, food preservation, food processing, liability, and/or marketing. (This includes: PBPT, Produce Safety Alliance Training, Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) training, Value Chain Coordination Services Training, Farmers Market Sampling, Home-based Microprocessing….).
Method: HBM Post-Workshop Evaluation
Timeline: Annual (calendar year)
Health and Well Being
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 administration
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
Financial Security and Economic Well Being
Outcome: Improved knowledge related to financial literacy concepts (initial)
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
Outcome: Increased confidence to implement family finance and resource management skills (e.g., budgeting, spending wisely, saving, using credit responsibly, reducing debt, estate planning, reducing fraud, etc.) (initial)
Indicator: Number of individuals who reported improved confidence to implement family finance and/or resource management skills.
Method: Self-reported surveys
Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration
Outcome: Implementation of financial literacy and resource management strategies/skills (intermediate)
Indicator: Number of individuals who implemented at least one strategy to better manage their family finances and resources (e.g., considered wants/needs, avoided bank fees, reviewed tax forms, set savings goals, started estate plan, developed budget, increased fraud protection, etc.).
Method: Self-reported surveys, documentation, or interviews
Timeline: Follow-up evaluations to capture action/behavior change over time.
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