Describe the Issue or Situation.

The Homemaker Leader Lesson Day addressed several key topics relevant to family and consumer sciences, focusing on practical life skills. There was a need to educate homemakers on modern tools and practices like air fryer usage, online grocery shopping strategies, avoiding scams, and maintaining bone health to combat osteoporosis. The program also recognized the benefit of fostering inter-county collaboration, which was previously limited as past lessons were held individually within each county. 

Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).

The program brought together seven counties: Shelby, Jefferson, Oldham, Bullitt, Spencer, Trimble, and Henry, under one roof for a collaborative educational event. This new format allowed for the consolidation of four lessons in a single day, providing a more comprehensive learning experience. The event was hosted at the Shelby County Extension Office and featured FCS agents leading discussions and demonstrations on various topics like air fryer usage, savvy online grocery shopping, avoiding scams, and improving bone health to prevent osteoporosis. The program was made possible through collaboration between multiple county agents and homemakers.

Provide the Number and Description(s) of Participants/Target Audience.

The target audience consisted of homemakers from the participating counties, with a record-breaking number of over 50 participants compared to previous events. Homemakers from Shelby, Jefferson, Oldham, Bullitt, Spencer, Trimble, and Henry counties attended. The event encouraged active participation and interaction among the homemakers, allowing them to network and engage in educational discussions with peers from different areas.

Provide a Statement of Outcomes or Program Impact. Please note that the outcomes statement must use evaluation data to describe the change(s) that occurred in individuals, groups, families, businesses, or in the community because of the program/outreach.

Evaluation data that we took using a survey from the event indicated a successful outcome, marked by increased attendance and active participation. Compared to previous leader lessons, this format encouraged greater collaboration and interaction among homemakers and agents from different counties. Feedback from attendees highlighted an improved understanding of air fryer usage, smarter online grocery shopping habits, increased awareness of online scams, and better strategies for promoting bone health, as well as feeling more confident in applying these skills in their daily lives. The survey concluded that the event fostered a stronger sense of community, as homemakers were able to connect with others from neighboring counties, creating a network for future learning and collaboration.