Nurturing Families in Barren County

The Community Action of Southern Kentucky Foster Grandparent program reaches out to people who are over age 60 and are economically disadvantaged. Currently, 43% of Foster Grandparents are from minority populations. In an effort to teach basic money management skills the Foster Grandparent program partnered with Barren County Cooperative Extension Service to offer the series, Small Steps to Health and Wealth. This program was designed to help the 95 participants set small goals to increase their well-being and financial management. As a result of the program 100 percent of participants reported an increase in knowledge concerning wise eating and activity behaviors. 80 percent of participants indicated that knowledge was gained concerning personal financial behaviors and 75 percent reported setting either a financial or health related goal.

To view the entire Building Strong Families for Barren County profile please click here.

Making Beneficial Lifestyle Choices in Ballard County

Ballard County Extension participated in and helped organize a community coalition of health minded organizations who received a $40,000 Local Data for Local Action grant from the Foundation for Healthy Kentuckians. Over 400 surveys were returned for analysis. Six Town Hall Meetings in five areas of the county were held to discuss the results of the survey and to begin a dialogue with community members to address some of the community’s health concerns. Two major concerns were identified for community action: 1) Ballard County’s youth are using alcohol and drugs, and there is a need for after school and weekend youth activities; 2) families and individuals are overweight and obese, and there is a need for families to increase physical activity.

To view the entire Building Strong Families for Ballard County profile please click here.

Accessing Nutritious Food in Anderson County

In response to many teens' lack of basic living skills, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension provided county youth simple cooking lessons. Once a month for four months, local youth participated in the program "Kids in the Kitchen." During this time ten youth were taught how to prepare healthy meals. These meals included festive foods, breakfast foods, quick breads, and fun snacks. Participants learned to make new foods and learned important kitchen skills including how to correctly measure, how to use a knife, food safety, and nutritious meal-planning. Post test results showed that 100% of kids started helping with meals at home and even prepared what they had learned for their families. They also reported that they learned how to measure correctly and how to handle a knife.

To view the entire Building Strong Families for Anderson County profile please click here.

Nurturing Families in Allen County

In response to the recent economic recession, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension worked to address the devastating mental and emotional health pressures on individuals and families in the county. The “Blue to You” pilot curriculum was implemented with five focus groups which totaled 105 participants. 76% of men increased knowledge regarding signs and symptoms of depression, 95% now know the different types of treatment, and 78% now know how to help other men with depression. All of the women who participated became aware of depression signs and symptoms, and 90% now know where to get help for a man with depression. 88% of teen participants now know how to help another teen with depression, 86% know where to access community help, and 90% increased knowledge regarding combination therapy.

To view the entire Building Strong Families for Allen County profile please click here.

Promoting Healthy Homes and Communities in Adair County

In recognition that community infrastructures have an impact on our health, Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Extension implemented the “Second Sunday” event. It was designed to increase our community’s awareness about the importance of physical activity and healthy living. The FCS agent collaborated with several community leaders and partners. Over 140 people of all ages including groups of friends, neighbors, and church groups participated in walking, biking, and pushing strollers on the closed section of KY 439 and Indian Drive. The distance was about 4 miles roundtrip. 95% finished the whole walk. Participants were provided with fresh fruit and water throughout the event. One participant told us, “Wish there were more events like this with safe places to walk.”

To view the entire Building Strong Families for Adair County profile please click here.

Family and Consumer Sciences Featured Programs in Kentucky

During 2008 – 2009, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension collected detailed impact data for three specific programs. The following outcomes were documented through these programs.

• 39% of participants in “Weight – the Reality Series – Body Image” succeeded in losing 5% of their initial weight during the program.
• 75% of children who participated in “LEAP – Literacy, Eating, and Activity for Preschool” increased their level of physical activity.
• 41% of participants in “Small Steps to Health and Wealth” changed at least one behavior such as reducing calorie intake, increasing physical activity, reducing expenses, or increasing income.

To view the entire Building Strong Families for Kentucky profile please click here.

Family and consumer sciences agents to host frugal bridal program

Contributed by Katie Pratt

In the current economy, it is hard for many people to afford necessities, much less save money for additional expenses, such as weddings. To help brides-to-be discover more affordable wedding choices, family and consumer sciences agents with the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service will host The Frugal Bride.

The cost-saving bridal program will take place from 2 to 6 p.m. Aug. 2 at Providence Christian Church at Brannon Crossing in Nicholasville. It is open to future brides and their fiancés, family members and wedding planners across the state.

“The main thing we want the participants to take away from this is you don’t have to spend a lot of money to have a beautiful wedding. There are options,” said Tamera Thomas, Franklin County family and consumer sciences agent.

Topics on the agenda include He Said, She Said- A guide to couple’s communication, online shopping safety, money management for married couples, Legal info 101- What you need to know, and bridal beauty under $400. Three breakout sessions will include photography, bridal beauty and calligraphy. A bridal fashion show, trends for the upcoming seasons and exhibits also are planned.

“This will be different from other bridal shows in that there will be an educational component to it,” said Mary Hixson, Garrard County family and consumer sciences agent. “We hope that the information they receive helps them not only plan their wedding, but with their marriage,” said Marisa Aull, Jessamine County family and consumer sciences agent.

Agents and presenters will display store-bought and handmade wedding essentials and will compare the two, talk about the costs of each and the time required to make the handmade item. “There are many things that can be handmade including headpieces, veils, garters, ring bearer pillows, wedding favors and decorations,” Hixson said.

Attendees will be able to sample potential low-costs choices for wedding foods and drinks at the workshop, and the agents will discuss the cost, ingredients and number of servings each recipe makes. Sample place settings also will be displayed. The cost to attend is $12 per person and $20 for two people. Those who attend the calligraphy breakout session will need to add $7 per person to the registration fee. As part of the registration fee, each bride-to-be will receive a one-year membership to their county’s Extension Homemakers club and a one-year subscription to the Beautiful Bride Newsletter the agents are developing. They will also receive a goody bag and can register for door prizes at the event.

Preregistration is required and due by July 30. Interested individuals can get information from any county extension office in central Kentucky by contacting Hixson at 859-792-3026, Aull at 859-885-4811 or Thomas at 502-695-9035.