The Casey County 4-H Program in collaboration with the University of Kentucky Robert Wood Johnson Foundation created a Health Ambassador Program where high school students are trained on specific healthy habits and present to 3^rd grade students in the Casey County Public Schools. High school students apply to be a Casey Health Ambassador, go through a selection process, and meet with the 4-H agent to understand the trainings and presentations in which are required for the ambassadors. The ambassadors present once a month the 3^rd grade classrooms focusing on one subject per month: physical and mental health, eating a healthy diet, personal safety, oral health, and avoiding nicotine. 

A total of nine ambassadors were chosen (out of over 20 applicants) for the 2024-2025 school year. The Casey Health Ambassadors were assigned a classroom at the three elementary schools in Casey County and received training prior to presenting to their assignment. Through the Health Ambassadors presentations, the high school students learned about healthy practices and educated youth on said healthy practices while developing public speaking skills and developing mentorship with their students. Over the duration of the five-month program, the nine ambassadors presented to all 3^rd graders (nine classrooms) reaching over 180 3^rd grade students. With the financial support of the Casey ASAP Board, the health ambassadors were provided with professional polo shirts to wear while presenting. The 3^rd grade students were provided with journals (for reflection after each presentation), a jump rope, stress ball, kitchen equipment (bowl, cutting board, measuring cups, etc.), a toothbrush, and hand sanitizer. The Health Ambassadors conducted a pre- and post-test to measure how much information (they presented) was retained by the students. Below are the results:

1. A person should participate in 60 minutes of physical activity each day. – 162% improvement.
2. Ways to reduce stress are relaxing, physical activity, and deep breathing. – 33.33% improvement.
3. How long should you wash your hands to properly clean them? Answer: 20 seconds – 54.2% improvement.
4. What can you do to keep your teeth and mouth healthy? Answer: brushing, flowing, and washing your mouth out after drinking sugary drinks. – 5.56% improvement
5. How many food groups should you eat from every day? 5 – 80% improvement
6. What is an example of a WANT? Answer: a video game – 7.06% improvement

The Casey Health Ambassadors helped coordinate a Family Fun Night for the 3^rd graders and their family to help educate parents/guardians on what they have been teaching. Sponsored by Casey ASAP, the event was held at a local indoor inflatable park with 28 families attending (92 individuals). Parents were entered in a drawing for a Blender Package (one per three elementary schools) including a blender, smoothie recipes, measuring cups, and fresh ingredients to make smoothies. 

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation awarded the Casey Health Ambassador Program with $42,000 to provide two $1000 scholarships to graduating ambassadors who apply. In its first year (2022), only one student was eligible for the $1000 scholarship. She is currently a third year nursing major at Berea College with a minor in biology. She is also the student director at Berea College Public Safety. In 2023 two students were awarded a $1000 scholarship both to be applied to their secondary education at the University of Kentucky. One student is in his sophomore year striving to obtain a bachelors degree in Computer Engineering with a minor in Mathematics and a certificate in Artificial Intelligence. The other student is also in their sophomore year majoring in marketing/business management with hopes of going into business law to become a property attorney. In 2024 two more health ambassadors were awarded with $1000 scholarships. One student is in their second semester focusing on a double major of Business and Communications at Lindsey Wilson College while working in the development office helping with donor and alumni associations. This year, one health ambassador is eligible to apply for the $1000 scholarship. These funds will provide scholarship funding for eligible graduating seniors in the Health Ambassador Program for another 15 years.