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