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Contact Information

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu

Impacts

Contact Information

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu




Fiscal Year:
Jul 1, 2025 - Jun 30, 2026


Strengthening Individual and Family Health and Nutrition In Morgan CountyPlan of Work

2026

Morgan County CES

County Emphasis:
Strengthening Individual and Family Health and Nutrition In Morgan County
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 highlighted 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.  Morgan County in particular has an overall of 16.8% of the population for food insecurity. Over 2300 residents receive SNAP benefits in Morgan County. Guided by the Cooperative Extension’s National Framework for Health Equity and 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. 

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 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 wellbeing.

County Situation:

Morgan County faces significant economic challenges, with 30.7% of its population living in poverty. One in five children experiences food insecurity and relies on SNAP benefits for assistance. Limited access to resources and nutritious food has contributed to a decline in school attendance. Additionally, more than half of the county’s school-aged children are classified as economically disadvantaged.

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 

  • 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:

ADULT

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

 

ADULT

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.

 

ADULT

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 evaluation to capture change over time


YOUTH

Outcome

Youth-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. 

Method

Standard evaluation for 4-H Health and Wellbeing Survey

Timeline

Following a program/event

 

YOUTH

Outcome

Youth - Intermediate

Indicator

  • Number of youth who reported that they have used knowledge and/or skills learned in health and wellbeing programs to complete a project.   
  • Number of youth who reported that they have used nutrition as a way to improve their overall health.   

Method

Standard Evaluation for 4-H Health and Wellbeing: Survey 

Timeline

Following the end of Club/Program year


YOUTH 

Outcome

Youth-Long

Indicator

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

Method

Standard Evaluation for 4-H Health and Wellbeing Survey

Timeline

1 or more years

 




Learning Opportunities:

Audience

Families and Individuals 

Project or Activity

Family & Community Health

Content or Curriculum

Healthy Homemakers, Health Bulletins, Health Literacy for the Win, Health Fairs, Prevention Programs

Inputs

Programmatic materials, Staff, community partners, health coalitions, healthcare providers, health department, wellness and community centers

Date(s)

On going

 

Audience

Youth

Project or Activity

Nutrition and Food Preparation

Content or Curriculum

Jump into Food and Fitness

Inputs

4-H Family and Consumer Sciences programs, explore their spark, and actively engage in meaningful opportunities.  4-H Volunteers and School partners

Date(s)

September 1- August 30

 

Audience

Families & Individuals

Project or Activity

Physical Activity

Content or Curriculum

Publications, Story Walks, Health Coalition, Bingocize, Mindfulness Trails, Hiking for Health, Families on the Move, County Walking Challenges.

Inputs

Community partners, paid staff, volunteers, health departments, wellness center, Healthcare providers, health coalitions, schools, and homemakers.

Date(s)

Ongoing and seasonal

 

Audience

Families & Individuals

Project or Activity

Nutrition Education

Content or Curriculum

NEP, SNAP-ED toolkits, Publications, Cook together eat together, Dining with Diabetes, Plate it up, Kentucky Proud, Cook Wild KY, Recovery Garden Toolkit.

Inputs

Programmatic materials, paid staff, community partners, volunteers, health coalitions, healthcare providers, homemakers, farmer’s market, local farms, growers, and producers, and commodity groups.

Date(s)

Ongoing




Evaluation:

ADULT

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

 

ADULT

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.

 

ADULT

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 evaluation to capture change over time


YOUTH

Outcome

Youth-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. 

Method

Standard evaluation for 4-H Health and Wellbeing Survey

Timeline

Following a program/event

 

YOUTH

Outcome

Youth - Intermediate

Indicator

  • Number of youth who reported that they have used knowledge and/or skills learned in health and wellbeing programs to complete a project.   
  • Number of youth who reported that they have used nutrition as a way to improve their overall health.   

Method

Standard Evaluation for 4-H Health and Wellbeing: Survey 

Timeline

Following the end of Club/Program year


YOUTH 

Outcome

Youth-Long

Indicator

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

Method

Standard Evaluation for 4-H Health and Wellbeing Survey

Timeline

1 or more years