SUCCESS WITH COMMUNITY LIVING SUPPORT STAFF

Patara Strunk

EFNEP Assistant

Perry County KY

Direct support staff needed additional training on living a healthy lifestyle, for themselves and the individuals they assist in the community living situations in which they work.University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service in Perry county KY provided nutrition education classes for the staff employed by a community living agency that had residences located in Perry County KY.

The positive effects of the nutrition classes included enhancing agency goals, and National Core Indicators for a healthy lifestyle.  The company implemented an internal Health Risk Screening Committee, an exercise club and daily food and beverage intake log.  Employees became more aware about label reading, basic food preparation, food safety and the importance of including food from all five food groups into the diet of the participants, as well as themselves.  The program participants showed a 50% improvement in meal planning.

Since the implementation of the nutrition program, improvements have been reported such as decreases in maintenance medications such as blood pressure medicine and insulin, participants have lost weight and seem happier.

The Community Living agency has committed to the Nutrition Education program with involvement of personnel.  Direct support staff use on a daily basis, recipes, utensils and other materials, in the community living homes they work in.

These findings were referenced in correspondence from the private community living agency located in Perry County, that NEP program assistants presented to the employees at the company.