Jessamine County CES

County Emphasis:

Improving the health and wellbeing of individuals, youth and families of Jessamine County.

Concentration 1:

Substance Use Prevention and Recovery

Concentration 2:

Mental Health and Well-Being

Concentration 3:

Health and Wellbeing

Concentration 4:

Family and Youth Development

Situation:

Substance use and substance use disorder are persistent public health problems in Kentucky. Each year, about 90% of people who need treatment for SUD in Kentucky do not receive it. Drug overdoses have surpassed car accidents as the leading cause of accidental death and overdoses have contributed to a reduction in average life expectancy in the US. More than ever before, people are feeling the burden of stress on their 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. 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. 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. 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. Our programming also addresses social and emotional needs throughout the lifespan, promoting resilience and positive relationships. Investing in such programs can prevent future challenges by supporting early intervention and personal growth. Kentucky 4-H creates opportunities for youth in the five domains of physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and intellectual health and well-being. Cooperative Extension is poised with the research and evidence-based resources needed to serve as a beacon of hope in times of distress through our ability to help overcome stigma, connect people to care, and amplify the voices of many to advocate for better quality of life for all.

County Situation:

According to Kentucky by numbers, Jessamine County had 4,337 emergency dept visits and 185 inpatient hospitalization stays in the last 5 years, with 137 drug-related fatal overdoses and 98 opioid-involved fatal overdoses.16.5% of adults in Jessamine county report fair or poor health and 11.7% of adults reported 14 or more days of poor physical health per month. According to youth data from Kentucky by Numbers, 664 youth in the county, under the age of 19, are without Health insurance. 2,035 youth are living below poverty.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Improved quality of life- SH/CW

Improved social and emotional competency CW

Reduced youth substance useCW

Reduced stigma related to youth substance use CW

Kentucky 4-H members report a reduced number of youth that are considering suicide.  CW

Increased number of 4-Hers who pursue mental health & well-being employment.  CW

Youth will increase contributions to their communities through applying critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication learning in 4-H Health and Well Being.CW

Kentucky 4-H members report decreased obesity. CW    

Increased number of 4-Hers who pursue employment in the health and wellbeing field. CW

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. CW

Intermediate Outcomes:

Enhanced community partnerships that target recovery from substance use disorder- SH

Increased availability and accessibility of evidence-based prevention programs CW

Enhanced community partnerships that target youth prevention CW

4-H members will practice general wellness habits. CW    

Increased self-reflection and exploration of personal values and beliefs related to mental health and wellbeing among 4-Hers.CW  

4-H members will practice general wellness habits. CW  

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

4-H members will increase physical activity.CW

Initial Outcomes:

Increased awareness of community resources to support prevention and recovery- SH

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

CW- Substance use prevention and recovery behaviors for youth include, but are not limited to, pro-social activity, positively relating to parents and other non-parental adults, building supportive networks, healthy coping and stress management, substance use refusal self-efficacy, and peer pressure management.

• Increased knowledge about substance use and its effects

• Increased awareness of community resources to support prevention and recovery

• Increased confidence making decisions related to substance use (i.e. substance use refusal skills)

• Increased confidence and motivation to use destigmatized language

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

Increased knowledge of positive mental health practices  CW

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

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

Increased knowledge of general wellness practices CW

Increased knowledge of positive mental health practices  CW

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

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

Increased knowledge of general wellness practices CW

Evaluation:

Outcome	Increased awareness of community resources to support prevention and recovery (initial)- SH
Indicator	Number of partnerships with community organizations, institutions, agencies, or individuals to address substance use/recovery in the community- SH
Method	Program metrics agents will track, and report based on their activities and partnerships related to substance use prevention, addiction, and/or recovery)- SH
Timeline	Post-program/curricula survey administration (ST) and follow-up survey (BC- SH

Outcome	Increased intentions to employ health-promoting behaviors (e.g., exercise, healthy nutrition, positive coping, etc.). (Short-term, ST, and Intermediate, BC).- SH
Indicator	Number of participants who reported that they intend to use self-care strategies to improve their recovery and/or substance refusal skills (ST)- SH Number of participants who used self-care strategies to improve their recovery and/or substance refusal skills. - SH
Method	Self-reported surveys- SH
Timeline	Post-program/curricula survey administration (ST) and follow-up survey (BC)- SH

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

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 

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Outcome: Long Term 

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

Method: Survey or Interview 

Timeline: 1+ years 

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: Increased awareness of community resources to support prevention and recovery (initial)

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

Method: Program metrics (agents will track and report based on their activities and partnerships related to substance use prevention, addiction, and/or recovery)

Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration

---

Outcome: Increased confidence making decisions related to substance use (i.e. substance use refusal skills) (Short-term, ST, and Intermediate, BC).

Indicator: 

• Number of participants who reported intended behavior change as a result of participation in substance use prevention and/or recovery programming.

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

Method: Self-reported surveys

Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration

---

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 intentions to employ health-promoting behaviors (e.g., exercise, healthy nutrition, positive coping, etc.). (Short-term, ST, and Intermediate, BC).

Indicator: 

• Number of participants who reported that they intend to use self-care strategies to improve their recovery and/or substance refusal skills (ST)

• Number of participants who used self-care strategies to improve their recovery and/or substance refusal skills.

Method: Self-reported surveys

Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration (ST) and follow-up survey (BC)

Learning Opportunities:

Audience	Families and Individuals- SH
Project or Activity	Addiction Education- SH
Content or Curriculum	Publications, Addiction 101, Harm Reduction 101- SH
Inputs	Programmatic materials, community partners, ASAP Boards and Community Coalitions, residential treatment centers, detention centers, healthcare providers, clergy, and healthcare providers- SH
Date(s)	Ongoing- SH

Audience	Families and Individuals- SH
Project or Activity	Recovery Capital Building- SH
Content or Curriculum	Healthy Choices for Your Recovering Body (HCYRB), Recovering Your Finances (RYF), Recovery Gardens, Positive Employability, Question. Persuade. Refer (QPR), Mind Art Recovery Kentucky- SH
Inputs	Programmatic materials, community partners, ASAP Boards and Community Coalitions, residential treatment centers, detention centers, healthcare providers, law enforcement, and clergy- SH
Date(s)	Ongoing- SH

Audience	Families and Individuals
Project or Activity	Substance Use Prevention Programming
Content or Curriculum	Botvin Lifeskills, Strengthening Families, 4-H Health Rocks, Engaging People with Lived Experience (testimonies),
Inputs	Programmatic materials, paid staff, volunteers, community partners, health coalitions, schools and school staff
Date(s)	Ongoing

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(s)	Program Year

Evaluation:

Outcome	Increased awareness of community resources to support prevention and recovery (initial)- SH
Indicator	Number of partnerships with community organizations, institutions, agencies, or individuals to address substance use/recovery in the community- SH
Method	Program metrics agents will track, and report based on their activities and partnerships related to substance use prevention, addiction, and/or recovery)- SH
Timeline	Post-program/curricula survey administration (ST) and follow-up survey (BC- SH

Outcome	Increased intentions to employ health-promoting behaviors (e.g., exercise, healthy nutrition, positive coping, etc.). (Short-term, ST, and Intermediate, BC).- SH
Indicator	Number of participants who reported that they intend to use self-care strategies to improve their recovery and/or substance refusal skills (ST)- SH Number of participants who used self-care strategies to improve their recovery and/or substance refusal skills. - SH
Method	Self-reported surveys- SH
Timeline	Post-program/curricula survey administration (ST) and follow-up survey (BC)- SH

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

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 

---

Outcome: Long Term 

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

Method: Survey or Interview 

Timeline: 1+ years 

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: Increased awareness of community resources to support prevention and recovery (initial)

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

Method: Program metrics (agents will track and report based on their activities and partnerships related to substance use prevention, addiction, and/or recovery)

Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration

---

Outcome: Increased confidence making decisions related to substance use (i.e. substance use refusal skills) (Short-term, ST, and Intermediate, BC).

Indicator: 

• Number of participants who reported intended behavior change as a result of participation in substance use prevention and/or recovery programming.

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

Method: Self-reported surveys

Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration

---

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 intentions to employ health-promoting behaviors (e.g., exercise, healthy nutrition, positive coping, etc.). (Short-term, ST, and Intermediate, BC).

Indicator: 

• Number of participants who reported that they intend to use self-care strategies to improve their recovery and/or substance refusal skills (ST)

• Number of participants who used self-care strategies to improve their recovery and/or substance refusal skills.

Method: Self-reported surveys

Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration (ST) and follow-up survey (BC)