Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices

All nine prekindergarten classes in Grayson County participated in Literacy, Eating, and Activity for Preschoolers (LEAP). During 10 lessons, 180 children ages 3 to 5 were introduced to new foods. Grayson County Family and Consumer Sciences agent read a book and discussed concepts such as colors, shapes, and names of fruits and vegetables, to encourage critical thinking skills. Many children were developmentally delayed and needed encouragement to participate in physical activity, which taught coordination. Toward the end, more children were dancing and playing games. Teachers reported that children began eating more fruits and vegetables offered by school food service. At least 10 children who brought food from home began to consume more fruit and less candy and soft drinks.

To see the entire Building Strong Families county profile for Grayson county, please click the link.

Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices

To address chronic lifestyle diseases, multiple programs were implemented by the Graves County Family and Consumer Sciences Agent, including dispensing information at two health fairs; holding the fifth annual Wellness Walk and one four-week session of "Small Steps to Health and Wealth"; and teaching four weeks of Literacy, Eating, and Activity for Preschoolers (LEAP) to 100 students in five elementary classes. In collaboration with Graves County Health Department, American Red Cross, and YMCA, the first 2nd Sunday was held, with 50 participants. In cooperation with Ballard County Extension, four sessions of "A Matter of Balance" were taught to approximately 40 senior citizens. In response to requests, a canning class was taught, covering pressure- and water-bath canning methods and how to make freezer jam.

To see the entire Building Strong Families county profile for Graves county, please click the link.

Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices

The rise in adult and youth obesity in the state and county sparked the need to initiate the Grant County Biggest Winner Challenge sponsored by the Fitness For Life Around Grant County Coalition. The Cooperative Extension Agents served as co-chairs of this county wide event. The goal of this challenge is to encourage physical activity and healthy lifestyle choices. The program, in its sixth year, offers family activities such as square dance, game nights, martial arts, jump rope, and warrior training. This year, 250 participants reported a total weight loss of 234.4 pounds and total fat loss of 61.9 %. One participant stated "I hope to continue and try to lose more weight and stay healthy for my children and for myself. "

To see the entire Building Strong Families county profile for Grant county, please click the link.

Securing Financial Stability

As the economic downturn continues, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent remains committed to programming that helps families save money. Budgeting information, hosting free CPR classes, and sharing nutritious yet budget-friendly recipes are vital parts of Extension's outreach in the community. Two workshops have been held on couponing this past year, and a coupon exchange station is maintained at the Extension office. "Garrard Saves," a newsletter that is distributed to the community offers a monthly reminder about saving. All recipients submitted a savings goal; 15% are on course to reach their goal. Using University of Kentucky publications and materials, seven students learned goal-setting, establishing priorities, paying bills, stretching money, and using local resources to save money.

To see the entire Building Strong Families county profile for Garrard county, please click the link.

Securing Financial Stability

For many, couponing can help families have greater buying power at the grocery. To help stretch food dollars while feeding nutritious meals, Gallatin County Family and Consumer Sciences Agent taught 368 individuals a nine-session, "Crazy for Coupons," which covered menu planning, organization, and using coupons and sales. Of surveys mailed to participants eight weeks after the class, 126 returned it, reporting that 83% saved an average of $27.82, or 20.6%, of their weekly grocery bill as a result. 69% prepared more meals at home. 37% were able to achieve financial goals more quickly. One participant said, "I don't work outside the home so this is my way of contributing and saving as much as possible."

To see the entire Building Strong Families county profile for Gallatin county, please click the link.

Nurturing Families

Kentucky "Kids County" data ranks Kentucky 41st nationally in overall well-being of children. The Fulton County Family and Consumer Sciences Agent and Four River Counties Community Early Childhood Council collaborated to fund multiple projects to reach local families. The ABC Fall Festival provided families with assessments, educational materials, and developmental screening for ages five and under reaching 129 individuals, 53 families, and 52 volunteers. Parent Involvement Week impacted over 500 families; child care centers received 10 stipends for first aid and CPR training and were awarded $9,000 grants to increase quality age-appropriate materials. Building Strong Families for School Success child care training was received by 20 participants. The council is viewed as a valuable resource for improving well-being of local children.

To see the entire Building Strong Families profile for Fulton county, please click the link.

Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices

To see the entire Building Strong Families county profile for Franklin county, Please click the link.Every year more Americans are diagnosed with diabetes or pre-diabetes, and numbers are expected to rise due to the obesity epidemic. The Franklin County Family and Consumer Sciences Agent partnered with local dietetic and medical professionals to offer "Taking Control of Your Diabetes," a 13-week diabetes management program. Initially, of eight participants, two checked blood sugar readings as recommended by physicians, and others did not take readings at all. Most struggled to accept diagnosis. By program's end, they monitored blood sugars on a regular basis, used basic meal planning skills, made better food choices, and four started exercising on a regular basis. The program also inspired them to continue a monthly support group.