Nutrition Education Program (NEP) assistants in District 1 counties continue to develop and strengthen new partnerships with addiction recovery care centers within the region.   In September, 2019, NEP Area Nutrition Agent, along with four (4) NEP assistants, met with the CEO, directors and peer support workers (approximately 40 present) from Addiction Recovery Care Centers to develop and strengthen KYNEP’s reach in inpatient and outpatient facilities.   Area Nutrition Agent presented an overview of the Nutrition Education Program and the value and impact of NEP’s success with residents in which NEP assistants currently teach.  One director stood up and gave a testimony of how his patients’ had improved in nutritional knowledge, eating behaviors and overall health.   He also made a comment about his patients learning how to garden and that many had never had gardening experience.   He encouraged his colleagues to reach out to NEP assistants in they were in their counties.  Since the September presentation/meeting, four (4) new addiction recovery care groups were added in counties we targeted during the presentation.    Counties included the following:  Lawrence, Boyd, Pike, and Fleming).  Please note that KSU Area Agent, who covers Bath, Montgomery and Rowan counties was included in this effort. Also included was Amy Singleton, District 2 Area Nutrition Agent, as several Addiction Recovery Care Centers are located District 2.  

In District 1, there are currently a total of ten (10) NEP assistants working with twenty-two (22) substance abuse recovery facilities.

Since COVID-19, one NEP assistant is conducting a Facebook Live virtual group and providing recipe ingredients for the residents to prepare at the facility; all other NEP assistants are staying in contact with directors or peer support workers and are ready to return as soon as possible.