Spotlight Series: Grant County

Our continuing "Spotlight Series": Grant

Cooperative Extension Service provides a range of educational programming and activities to support the well-being of Kentuckians. One good example is in Grant County where the FCS agent offered the program "Small Steps to Health and Wealth" to the staff of a local school board in order to address needs of the community. According to a 2004 report by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, an estimated 129.6 million Americans (64%) are overweight or obese. The savings rate of U.S. households is around 1% and the average U.S. credit card holder carries a $9,300 balance. With this in mind, the program was offered. The eight week program engaged 16 participants in educational sessions that encouraged setting health and financial goals. An evaluation at the end of the program reveals that 80% are exercising, 80% are trying to improve their diet, 100% gained knowledge about health and finance, and 80% lost some weight. Participants saved $7,360.00.

For more information about the needs of families in Grant County and how UK Cooperative Extension is providing services, please click here to see the full Grant County Family and Consumer Extension Profile