Success Stories - Kentucky Extension Reporting System

Close Resources

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

Cooperative Extension Service

Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

Impacts

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: 2025

2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026

Jul 1, 2024 - Jun 30, 2025

Success StoriesKentucky Extension Reporting System

Understanding Disability

Author: Marsha Hagler

Major Program: Child Development General

According to the US Census, around 11% of individuals under 65 in Nelson County are living with a disability. To support educational efforts during Disability Awareness month, the Understanding Disabilities program was offered to Nelson County Educators. This Understanding Disability curriculum includes 12 suggested lessons each of which covers a unique disability. Each session identifies a specific disability that is illustrated through the reading of the identified book. Each lesson inclu

Full Story

Laugh and Learn Play Dates

Author: M. Elizabeth Coots

Major Program: Child Development General

Early childhood development is a critical foundation for lifelong learning and health. However, many Kentucky children enter kindergarten without the skills needed to succeed. In some counties, including Shelby, limited access to early learning resources and structured play opportunities can hinder development in key areas such as literacy, motor skills, and social-emotional growth. According to the Kentucky Kids Count Data Center, only 53% of children in Shelby County demonstrated kindergarten

Full Story

Kindergarten Readiness in Campbell County

Author: Kate Thompson

Major Program: Child Development General

In Campbell County, an average from all the school districts showed that only 48% of students were kindergarten ready, which was a drop from pre-pandemic years (Kentucky Youth Advocates, 2024). Kindergarten readiness means the child is academically, socially, and emotionally ready to start school. Another important focus for children to be ready for school is having healthy relationships and strong families.  According to the University of Kentucky’s publication, “Family Vitalit

Full Story

Children, Youth and Families at Risk Uplift grant 2019-2024

Author: Kerri Ashurst

Major Program: Child Development General

Children, Youth and Families at Risk Uplift grant 2019-2024

The CYFAR “Uplift: Empowering Today’s Youth for Tomorrow’s Future” project collaborates with Kentucky State University and the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension program. The purpose is to provide comprehensive life skills development programming to Middle and High school youth. Utilizing Botvin Life Skills curricula as the primary tool, the Uplift team delivered life skills programming in urban and rural settings. The Life Skills focus has been primarily on Tra

Full Story

UP and READY Life Skills Day Camp

Author: Kristy Porter

Major Program: Child Development General

UP and READY Life Skills Day Camp

Describe the Issue or Situation.In today’s fast-paced world, many young people are entering adulthood without the foundational life skills they need to thrive independently. From basic car maintenance and cooking to financial literacy and stress management, these essential competencies are often overlooked in traditional education settings. In Pike County, Extension agents recognized a growing need to equip youth with practical, hands-on experiences that build confidence, independence, and

Full Story

Life Skills 101

Author: Shannon Farrell

Major Program: Child Development General

Life Skills 101

Describe the Issue or Situation. The transition from adolescence to adulthood presents numerous challenges for young people, many of whom lack the essential skills needed to navigate life successfully. These skills, commonly referred to as life skills, include practical knowledge such as financial literacy, effective communication, problem-solving, time management, and basic home and vehicle knowledge. However, many youth report feeling unprepared for adulthood, highlighting a critical gap

Full Story

Patchwork Playdates

Author: Cathy Sparks

Major Program: Child Development General

Describe the Issue or Situation.Magoffin County has only one licensed day care in the community and very few opportunities for pre-school age children to participate in educational and fun activities. Patchwork Playdates uses the state adopted Laugh and Learn curriculum provided by the University of Kentucky to conduct monthly activities for the children.Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).Laugh and Learn curriculum is used for the educational comp

Full Story

Sew It, Grow It, Cook It – Summer Camp Teaches Life Skills Through Hands-On Learning

Author: Sarah Congleton

Major Program: Child Development General

Sew It, Grow It, Cook It – Summer Camp Teaches Life Skills Through Hands-On Learning

Describe the Issue or SituationIn today’s fast-paced world, many youth lack opportunities to engage in hands-on learning experiences that build practical life skills like sewing, gardening, and cooking. Recognizing a need for meaningful summer enrichment activities, especially for upper elementary students, the Family Resource and Youth Services Centers (FRYSCs) at Mt. Sterling and Camargo Elementary Schools sought to partner with community programs that promote creativity, self-sufficienc

Full Story

Laugh & Learn

Author: Leah VanMeter

Major Program: Child Development General

In the 2024 Early Childhood Profile for Kentucky, only 40% of children in Butler County are prepared for kindergarten. This profile kindergarten readiness using measures of cognitive/general knowledge, physical well-being, self-help, social/emotional skills, and language and communication skills.The Butler County Family and Consumer Science (FCS) Agent hosted in-person Laugh and Learn playdates monthly during the 2024-2025 program year to provide a program to foster school readiness activities t

Full Story

Early Childhood School Readiness

Author: Rachel Hance

Major Program: Child Development General

It is through our valued partnership with the Allen, Logan, and Simpson Regional Collaborative that we, the Logan County Cooperative Extension Service, seek to improve school readiness in Logan County by educating, encouraging, and engaging families. Kindergarten readiness means that each child enters school ready to engage in and benefit from early learning experiences that best promote the child’s success. The kindergarten screener measures readiness in five important domains, academic/c

Full Story

24-25 Laugh and Learn Playdates

Author: Shonda Johnston

Major Program: Child Development General

According to the Kentucky Early Childhood Profiles, average kindergarten readiness rates have remained at approximately 50% over the last ten years. Most notably, a significant dip was observed in 2022 and 2023, for kindergarteners who were two and three years old when the pandemic began in 2020. In many Kentucky counties, limited resources or the environment may serve as barriers for healthy lifestyle choices related to early childhood development and physical activity. Clark County falls

Full Story

Life Skills 101

Author: Shelley Meyer

Major Program: Child Development General

Describe the Issue or Situation.The transition from adolescence to adulthood presents numerous challenges for young people, many of whom lack the essential skills needed to navigate life successfully. These skills, commonly referred to as life skills, include practical knowledge such as financial literacy, effective communication, problem-solving, time management, and basic home and vehicle knowledge. However, many youth report feeling unprepared for adulthood, highlighting a critical gap in edu

Full Story

Laugh & Learn at the Library

Author: Denise Wooley

Major Program: Child Development General

Laugh & Learn at the Library

Kentucky has reported that only 43.5% of children attending kindergarten in Graves County are prepared and equipped to succeed. In many Kentucky counties, limited resources or the environment may hinder healthy lifestyle choices related to early childhood development and physical activity.  As an innovative strategy to improve early childhood development skills and increase kindergarten readiness with Graves County residents, the Family and Consu

Full Story

Community Baby Shower

Author: Elizabeth Maxedon

Major Program: Child Development General

Describe the Issue or Situation.   In the current societal context, occurrences of adolescent pregnancy and individuals hailing from low-income households have grown increasingly prevalent. This pattern is notably evident within the residents of Spencer County. During the current year, the agents of Spencer County Family and Consumer Sciences and 4-H/Youth Development, in collaboration with the Family Resource & Youth Service Centers and other community partners, coordinated t

Full Story

Madison County FCS Free Book Project

Author: Jessica Hunley

Major Program: Child Development General

In the summer of 2024, Madison County FCS Extension was presented with an opportunity to attain free children's books for programming from Rand McNally Publishers. The FCS Agent confirmed a shipment and delivery for the books requested, but soon realized a typo error just created a new challenge and opportunity outside of the plan. The intended delivery was about 10 times bigger than the original plan, and so with the help of county extension teammates, several more pallets made their way ho

Full Story

Laugh and Learn Playdates: Teaching Healthy Development

Author: David Weisenhorn

Major Program: Child Development General

Title: Laugh and Learn Playdates: Teaching Healthy DevelopmentRelevance: More than half (54%) of the nation’s 3- to 4-year-olds were not enrolled in preschool between 2018 and 2022.  According to Kids Count Data, during the 2019 - 2023 school year only 37% of kindergarten students in Kentucky were ready for their learning experience based on the criteria set by the Governor’s Office of Early Childhood.The early years of a child’s life are foundational for lifelong success.

Full Story

Laugh and Learn Playdates

Author: Jennifer Bridge

Major Program: Child Development General

Kentucky has reported that only 52% of children attending kindergarten in Meade County are prepared and equipped to succeed. In many Kentucky counties, limited resources or the environment may hinder healthy lifestyle choices related to early childhood development and physical activity.  As an innovative strategy to improve early childhood development skills and increase kindergarten readiness with Meade County residents, the Family and

Full Story

Understanding Disabilities

Author: Rebecca Miller

Major Program: Child Development General

Nearly 61 million people in the United States have a disability.  Kentucky has reported that 26% of residents in Bell County are living with a disability. In many Kentucky counties, limited resources and education about disabilities may serve as barriers for healthy accessibility and engagement with their community and environment. As an innovative strategy to improve knowledge and understanding about disabilities and increase compassion for those who have disabilities, the Family and

Full Story

Showing 1 to 18 of 32 entries

Show entries

Acting Associate Dean & Director — Craig Wood, Ph.D.
S107 Ag. Science Center North
Lexington, KY 40546-0091
+1 (859) 257-4302

© 2024 University of Kentucky, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment