According to CEDIK Data Profile Health Indicators 2022, “the percent obese value in Gallatin County KY is 38%.  Healthy eating can help people maintain a healthy weight and reduce their risk of obesity. A healthy diet can also help prevent and manage other chronic diseases, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer.”  According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “people who eat lots of fruits and vegetables have a lower risk of obesity. Fruits and vegetables are important sources of vitamins, minerals, fiber, plant protein, and antioxidants. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020–2025 also recommend a healthy eating plan that includes whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat or fat-free milk and milk products.” 

According to the Three River’s Health Department, Gallatin County Health Risk Factors 2022, “physical inactivity is a critical factor in the health status of a population. Exercise has been linked to healthy weight and BMI, reduction in various chronic diseases, normal growth and development, better quality of life, and healthy sleep patterns.  More than 43% of Gallatin County Residents are inactive.”

The Gallatin County Cooperative Extension Service collaborated with the Gallatin County School Early Childhood Education Coordinator and the school’s Family Resource Center Coordinator to address public health in their community.  Collaborators received a Spriit of Public Health Mini-Grant, which focused on health and nutritional wellness with a multi-tiered approach targeting all ages from birth to seniors with five community partners.  The five community partners included:  the Gallatin County Cooperative Extension Service (Family & Consumer Sciences and 4-H/Youth Development), the Gallatin County Family Resource Center, Gallatin County Early Childhood Education and the Three Rivers Health Department.  

The collaborators have made considerable progress since this grant was awarded. They received a Spirit of Public Health Mini-Grant on January 18th and have purchased bowls, utensils, propane, plastic boxes, slow cookers, pots and pan, camp stoves, hot plates, a range hood, stove, fridge, and the hardware and installation. Collaboratively they have had a minimum of 19 specific events/clubs/or activities that have addressed project goals of nutritional wellness, food choices, portion control, and the role food plays on our health and wellness.   

The community collaborators worked together and individually on various classes, programs and events throughout the community over a six-month time frame (January—June 2024).  During this time, the Gallatin County Cooperative Extension Family & Consumer Sciences Agent, Ronda Rex collaborated with the Family Resource Center and the Community Early Childhood Council and hosted the Grand Love Program for 6 months reaching and educating 7 families on health and nutrition.  Ronda conducted 5 other Extension programs to assist her collaborators in improving community health.  Ronda incorporated a physical activity and mental health component into her programs as well.  

The following are ways Extension was able to contribute to the team effort:

1. Ms. Shelby Cundiff’s Special Needs Class with 8 students each month for 6 months at the Gallatin County Middle School.  The students learned how to use picture recipes and prepared various foods and snacks.
2. Ohio Valley Educational Cooperative (OVEC) HeadStart with 16 students ages 3-4 years of age each month for 6 months at the Gallatin County Lower Elementary School.  Ronda used the Laugh and Learn Playdate and the Literacy, Eating and Activity for Primary (LEAP) curricula with the students.
3. Mrs. Amanda O’Connor’s library at the Gallatin County Lower Elementary School with approximately 200 first and second grade students each month for 6 months.  Ronda uses the Laugh and Learn Playdate and (LEAP) curricula with the students. 
4. The Gallatin County Senior Center with 6 seniors each month for 6 months.  Ronda used the Bingocize Program and other hands-on mental health activities with the seniors.
5. The Gallatin County Food Pantry and the Hispanic Food Pantry—Ronda provides Plan, Eat, Move, Nutrition Education and Plate It Up recipes and resources both in English and Spanish to the participants of the pantries each month for 6 months.
6. The Gallatin County Family & Consumer Sciences/Homemaker Newsletter—Ronda distributes 115 newsletters with health and nutrition publications, recipes and resources to Homemakers each month.      

Collaboratively the community partners plan to continue serving the public of Gallatin County by providing engaging events/clubs/and projects for all age demographics. The partners will keep the project goals at the forefront of their minds and work diligently to help Three Rivers District Health Department reach their Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) goals through various ways of educating our community.  This Fall, the Gallatin County Cooperative Extension Family & Consumer Sciences will partner with the Family Resource Center (Grand Love Program) to provide hands-on cooking/baking classes.  This is a program called Cooking for a Purpose which is also in collaboration with the Northern Kentucky Area Development District (NKADD).    

Impact of the Cooperative Extension programming for the Community Health Collaboration has resulted in:

1. Six recipes were used to create snacks/foods with the special needs students resulting in 6 students with sensory issues touching and trying new foods. One such food was individual pizzas using various ingredients.   
2. The OVEC students (3-4 years old) focused on a LEAP book each month and created a hands-on activity from the Laugh and Learn program to increase motor skills.
3. The Lower Elementary Students first and second grades focused on healthy eating by reading LEAP books and creating a healthy snack each month.   The students hit their target goals of listening, following directions, being respectful and trying new foods.  One such food was individual pizzas using various ingredients. 
4. University of KY Nutrition Education, Plan, Eat, Move, and Plate It Up both English and Spanish recipes were distributed at both the Gallatin County and Hispanic Food Pantries (900 total recipes to approximately 900 participants over a 6-month time frame).
5. The Gallatin County Family & Consumer Sciences Newsletter reached 115 participants each month with health and nutrition education information. 
6. The Grand Love Program participants focused on hands-on mental health activities with Ronda.  They created several projects:  Diamond Art, fleece blankets and flowerpot people.  They focused on journaling and created a journal with entries. They also created Gingerbread Houses, starting a new tradition with their grandchildren. 
7. The Seniors at Gallatin County Senior Center completed 8 sessions of Bingocize focusing on Exercise and Falls Prevention.  All 6 participants completed the 8 sessions with an increase in the amount of “Sit to Stand” exercises completed during the 8 sessions. 

 https://cedik.ca.uky.edu/data_profiles/healthcare 

 https://www.who.int/  

 https://trdhd.com/   

Success Story submitted June 2024