~~Nearly 36% of Kentucky’s youth are overweight or obese, putting them at risk for serious health problems (healthiergeneration.org). The Lawrence County Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP-Ed) assistant worked with the three elementary schools in Lawrence County for 2016-2017 calendar year to establish a program that addressed the needs of the students. The SNAP-Ed assistant used the “Literacy, Eating, and Activity for Primary” (LEAP) curriculum for this program. The curriculum is designed for children ages 3 to 8 years old: it consists of reading books to children that focus on eating and preparing healthy foods as well as, being physically active. The SNAP-Ed assistant provided a healthy snack that pertained to the book for each lesson for the students to sample.

~~The SNAP-Ed assistant had a total of 211 youth participants during the LEAP program that ranged from Kindergarten through 2nd grades. The youth participants completed a pre and post survey in order to measure the participants’ growth of knowledge pertaining to the curriculum. Based upon the data collected through these surveys the SNAP-Ed assistant recorded 85% improvement in kids who responded that they should wash their hands before eating, 85% of youth who participated improved their knowledge or skills related to handling food safely, and 69%  improved their abilities to choose foods according to Federal Dietary Recommendations or gained knowledge.  In this area overall, 93% of youth who participated improved in 1 or more core areas of the LEAP curriculum.