Extension
It Starts With Us
Improving Economic and Social Well-Being of Individuals and Families
Empowering Individuals and Families to Succeed
Jill Harris
Embracing Life as We Age (general)
Nurturing Families (general)
Securing Financial Stability (general)
The consequences of the Great Recession and the extended period of slow economic growth which followed, encouraged Kentuckians to become more aware of their financial situation. Kentucky consistently lags behind other areas of the United States in key household economic indicators, including: personal income, population living below the poverty line, unemployment, and revolving debt. These indicators, especially unemployment numbers became more exaggerated during the period of the Great Recession. However, at present economist are cautiously optimistic regarding future economic forecasts. It is important to acknowledge the impact of current economic conditions on family financial management. The goal of the Securing Financial Stability Initiative is to help Kentuckians understand and respond to changing economic conditions, while promoting healthy financial behaviors across the lifespan.
According to census data, Todd County’s total population is 12,520, with the per capita income $17,846, well below the Kentucky average of $23,462 and the US average of $28,155, and an estimated 743 households received food stamps in 2015 (US Census American Fact Finder). The median household income is $41,541, below the state average of $43,036. Only 76% of adults age 25 or older have graduated high school or have a GED, lower than the Kentucky average of 83%. The unemployment rate for 2012 was estimated at 7.9%, below the state and national averages. The newly opened Todd County Career Path Institute has given Extension the opportunity to work in the area of job readiness (interviewing, resumes, dress for success).
Healthy couple and parenting relationships and resulting family stability benefit the well-being of adults and children. Co-habiting, same-sex, divorced, widowed and single households are the new majority. Stresses on military families are more difficult and prolonged because of the demands on military personnel to serve multiple deployments, frequently in combat zones. Children who live absent from their biological fathers are two to three times more likely to be poor, to experience educational, health, emotional and behavioral problems than their peers who live with their married, biological (or adoptive) parents. In 2013, 25 percent of Kentucky children lived in poverty, ranking Kentucky 40th in the nation. Children who live in poverty are more likely to have learning disabilities and developmental delays. Furthermore, children who start kindergarten with delayed development and fewer assets are by far more likely to repeat grades, get tracked into lower-tier classes and drop out of high school than more advantaged children.
According to Kids Count data for Todd County, 25% of children live in poverty and 81% of children live in high-poverty areas, much higher than the state average of 42%. .61% of kindergarteners are not ready to learn compared to the state average of 50%. Todd County is also higher than state average in low-birthweight babies (9.3%) and birth to mothers without a high school degree (31.6%). The Todd County Family and Consumer Sciences Council identified training for child care providers one of the top priorities for nurturing families, hoping to increase the number of children who are ready to learn by the time they enter school. In the Todd County Family and Consumer Survey, 83% of the respondents named promoting family meal time as highly important, and 83% ranked parenting skills as a priority.
People are living longer. Kentucky’s current population of seniors (65+) is 13.3%, a number that is expected to double in the next 40 years due to the aging Baby Boomers (post WWII babies born between 1946-1964). Approximately 25% of Kentucky’s population includes Boomers, who, in 2011, started turning 65. Meanwhile, babies born in Kentucky in 2011 are projected to live to be 75 years old (3 years younger than the national average). Whether it is the graying of America or extended life expectancies, aging is a lifespan process. Therefore, it is important to acknowledge and celebrate the changes that accompany aging, in regard to health, independence and life quality throughout all stages of life. Aging programs help individuals, families, and communities manage the challenges and discover the positive aspects of life transitions and growing older.
Fifteen percent of the population in Todd County is 65 and older, with 18.6% living below poverty level, well above the state average of 11.7%. Of those 60 and above, 214 households received food stamps in 2014 (US Census American Fact Finder). The Todd County Family & Consumer Sciences survey ranked help for caregivers, increasing brain power, and investing for retirement as priorities for aging populations.
Kentucky families foster the optimal development of children and youth.
Decrease in falls because of improvement of balance.
Change in social, economic, and environmental issues related to healthy aging, independent aging and quality aging.
Individuals and families have improved family financial stability and economic well-being.
The number of people who report practicing child developmental techniques.
Number of people who demonstrated spending time in physical activity (Matter of Balance).
Number of participants reporting behavior changes related to healthy, independent or quality aging: such as decrease the risk of falling; increase communication and enhance relationships and social support; enhance brain activity; improve mental health; create a legacy; increase skills to interact/work with older adults; or engage a family unit to acknowledge and embrace aging issues.
Number of individuals who adopted short, mid and/or long term financial planning strategies.
Number of individuals who applied practical living skills to advance education or employability.
Number of individuals reporting behaviors that foster the optimal development of children and youth.
Number of those who reported knowledge gained about the benefits of spending time in physical activity (Matter of Balance).
Number of participants reporting improved knowledge, opinions, skills or aspirations regarding healthy aging, independent aging, and quality aging.
Number of individuals reporting improved knowledge and skills related to securing financial stability (such as managing financial and non-financial resources; consumer rights and privacy protection; importance of education and employability skills; personal goal setting to maintain and improve financial stability)
Initial Outcome: Individuals report behaviors that foster the optimal development of children and youth.
Indicator: Number of individuals reporting behaviors that foster the optimal development of children and youth.
Method: Pre-post test
Timeline: End of training
Intermediate Outcome: People practice child developmental techniques.
Indicator: The number of people who report practicing child developmental techniques.
Method: follow-up survey
Timeline: 6 months following class
Long-term Outcome: School readiness is increases
Indicator: Increase in children who are ready for school
Method: Kids Count Data
Timeline: 4 year data
Initial Outcome: Participants reporting improved knowledge, opinions, skills or aspirations regarding healthy aging, independent aging, and quality aging
Indicator: Number of participants reporting improved knowledge, opinions, skills or aspirations regarding healthy aging, independent aging, and quality aging
Method: Questionnaire
Timeline: End of meeting
Intermediate Outcome:
Indicator:Number of participants reporting behavior changes related to healthy, independent or quality aging
Method: Follow-up
Timeline: 6 months after class
Long-term Outcome: Change in social, economic, and environmental issues related to healthy aging, independent aging and quality aging.
Indicator:
Method:
Timeline:
Initial Outcome: People learn how to improve balance
Indicator: Number of people reporting change in knowledge, opinions, skills, or aspirations about improving balance
Method: survey
Timeline: end of meeting
Intermediate Outcome: People practice improving balance
Indicator: Number of people practicing improving balance
Method: follow-up survey
Timeline: 6 months after program
Longterm Outcome: reduction in number of falls
Indicator: Reduction in number of falls
Method:
Timeline:
Initial Outcome: Individuals report improved knowledge and skills related to securing financial stability
Indicator: Number of individuals reporting improved knowledge and skills related to securing financial stability
Method: post-test
Timeline: end of meeting
Intermediate Outcome: Individuals utilize knowledge and skills related to securing financial stability
Indicator: number of individuals utilize knowledge and skills related to securing financial stability
Method: survey
Timeline: 6 months
Longterm Outcome: Individuals and families are financially stable
Indicator:
Method:
Timeline:
Audience: Child Care Providers
Project or Activity: Child Care Provider Training
Content or Curriculum: FCS
Inputs: FCS Agent, Early Childhood Council, child care providers
Date: Fall, Spring
Audience: Seniors, almost seniors
Project or Activity: Keys to Embracing Aging
Content or Curriculum: Keys to Embracing Aging
Inputs: FCS Agent, participants
Date: Once/month for 12 months
Audience: Youth at high school, youth at academy, adults
Project or Activity: Preparing for a Job
Content or Curriculum: FCS
Inputs: FCS Agent, Youth Service Center Coordinator, Family Resource Center Coordinator, Principal at Academy, PACS office, Probation Officer, Technology Center
Date: Year round
Audience: Extension Homemaker Members, Public
Project or Activity: Downsizing and Organizing Your Home
Content or Curriculum: FCS
Inputs: FCS Agent, Extension Homemaker Members
Date: February
Audience: Extension Homemaker Members, Public
Project or Activity: Creating and Maintaining Family Traditions
Content or Curriculum: FCs
Inputs: FCS Agent, Extension Homemaker Members
Date: October
Author: Jill Harris
Major Program: Keys to Embracing Aging
A healthy brain is crucial to survival, growth and everyday successes (Smith, 2010). Similar to the rest of the body, the brain needs exercise and maintenance in order to optimize and protect its current and future health. In particular, the brain needs socialization, mental stimulation, physical activity, nutrition and sleep (AARP/Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives, 2009; Alzheimer’s Association, 2011). Todd County presented Keys to Embracing Aging: Brain Activity to 7 participants. Of t
Author: Jill Harris
Major Program: Keys to Embracing Aging
Engaging and maintaining meaningful social activities and relationships throughout the lifespan is vital to overall to health and well-being. Engaged people are often healthier, happier, less depressed and demonstrate enhanced brain vitality (NIA, 2009; Alzheimer’s Association, 2011; Park, 2009). They also contribute to stronger families and communities.Todd County presented Keys to Embracing Aging: Social Activity. 5 completed post lesson evaluations. As a result of the progra
Author: Jill Harris
Major Program: Staff Development
If we’re honest with ourselves, one of the biggest obstacles to improving our programs and ourselves is due to our perceived lack of time. We have filled our schedules with so many activities that we are constantly struggling to balance our work, our family, and our selves. To help extension agents for Family and Consumer Sciences learn how to better prioritize what needs to get done so not everything is a “crisis,” Jones Loflin, co-author of the award-winning book, Juggli
