Author: Philip Konopka
Planning Unit: Lewis County CES
Major Program: Empowering Community Leaders (general)
Plan of Work: Building Leadership in Lewis County
Outcome: Initial Outcome
During Fall 2018 the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service led a statewide community needs assessment for each of Kentucky’s 120 counties. This assessment was led locally by County Extension Agents and sought feedback from various county stakeholders, residents, and organizations. Lewis County Extension agents used surveys, focus groups and interviews collecting information to gain a better understanding of the needs and priorities of Lewis County. Result from the information collected were compiled by university officials and later sent out to the counties.
The Lewis County Extension Office presented information from this final report to the County Extension Council in 2019. This presentation sparked interest in the many different ways that the information could be used to better the county. As a result of these conversations, one member of the council relayed information to the Lewis County Chamber of Commerce. After presenting the information again at a Chamber meeting it was decided that Lewis Counties top identified issues from the survey would be taken from the assessment and developed into a county wide series of programs. These programs are set to take place in 4 different areas of the county (Laurel, Garrison, Tollesboro, and Vanceburg) to ensure that the information reaches all populations. The current tentative schedule along with the assessment indicators include:
March: Job's and Infrastructure
Speakers: Todd Ruckel & Walter Browning
Topics: Securing better paying jobs, support for small businesses
Community Assessment:
-More jobs paying good wages and benefits 68.42%
May: Agriculture and Environment
Speakers: TBA
Topics: Reducing illegal dumping/littering, sustainability of family farms, opportunities for farmers to make a profit
Community Assessment:
-Sustainability of family farms 29.81%
-Less illegal dumping and littering 26.36%
-More market opportunities for farmers 23.76%
July: Health and Wellness
Speakers: TBA
Topics: Education on health insurance, lowering chronic disease rates
Community Assessment:
-Improved affordability of health care insurance 28.85%
-Fewer chronic diseases (diabetes, heart disease, cancer) 26.36%
-Improved access to quality, affordable health care providers (medical, dental) 18.56%
September: Youth and Families
Speakers: TBA
Topics: Youth life skills, support for bullying prevention, debt reduction and increasing savings
Community Assessment:
-More youth life skills training (money management, life decision making) 33.33%
-More support for prevention of school violence and bullying 22.22%
-Better family skills in reducing debt, increasing savings and financial planning 21.65%
October: Community Vitality
Speakers: TBA
Topics: Preparing leaders for the future, engaging citizens to solve local issues
Community Assessment:
-More qualified leaders to prepare community for the future 35.14%
-More citizens helping to solve local issues 30.69%
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