The problem: 

Adults with different abilities who live in community living settings with their adult helpers, have historically struggled to find educational opportunities that are accessible for their demographic. These individuals need ongoing life skills education, to meet daily living goals as delineated their Individual Education Plans.

The educational program response:

Metcalfe County FCS Extension and Nutrition Education program began providing nutrition education and FCS related life skill, hands -on learning sessions monthly in 2016, at the request of this groups' coordinating helper.  The Different Abilities group has participation ranging from 6 - 14 individuals, each session.  Metcalfe County NEP program assistant provides the full NEP curriculum lessons every 3rd year, with the FCS Agent providing FCS programs monthly.  FCS example of educational sessions offered recently: "Stay off the SOFAS", recipe baking, comparing final product based on different fat substitutions, Nutrition label, Healthy Hydration, melt and pour glycerin soap making, making waxed fabric reusable food coverings, simple stretching exercises, deep breathing exercises for stress release.

The participants/target audience:

Adults living within or near - by to the Metcalfe County community, with varying diagnosis's resulting in cognitive disabilities and different abilities.

Other partners:

Metcalfe County FCS Extension, Nutrition Education Program, the ARC of Kentucky.

Program impact or participant response:

Long - term impacts reported include: Weight loss, most members have lost some weight since 2016, three group members have reported that they lost < 20 pounds and kept if off for a year or more, as a result of the skills learned from these sessions.  Improved management of blood sugar/A1C, reported by individual participants with Diabetes. 

Several participants report completely switching to green cleaning methods after receiving that lesson and recipes in 2019, where they made powder laundry detergent and kitchen sanitizing spray as the hands - on component.  Two participants have adopted utilizing the general kitchen sanitizing spray for all kitchen cleaning, resulting in money saved on the grocery bill and fewer disposable plastics in land fills. One participant reported continued usage of homemade powdered laundry detergent.  All participants report utilizing water bottles provided as incentive items, with increased daily water intake. Additional short - term impacts are reported annually, these are long term impacts/behavior changes that have taken hold and are still being practiced, after 1 year or longer.