Extension Education in Houston County

Transcription

1 Extension Education in Houston County Educational programs of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating

2 The Texas AgriLife Extension Service has been dedicated to serving Texans for nearly a century. The agency was established in 1915 under the Smith-Lever Act to deliver university knowledge and agricultural research findings directly to the people. Extension programs have continued ever since to address the emerging issues of the day, serving diverse rural and urban populations across the state. Through a well-organized network of professional educators and more than 100,000 trained volunteers, Extension delivers practical research-based knowledge to Texans in all 254 counties. Our expertise and educational outreach pertain to the food and fiber industry, natural resources, family and consumer sciences, nutrition and health, and community economic development. Among those served are the hundreds of thousands of young people who benefit annually from Extension s 4-H and youth development programs. Texans turn to Extension for solutions. Its agents and specialists respond not only with answers, but also with resources and services that result in a significant return on investment to boost the Texas economy. The agency custom-designs its programs to each region of the state, relying on residents for input and for help with program delivery. Here are just a few highlights of Extension s impacts on this county and its people: Houston County Summary of Educational Contacts Total Educational Programs Conducted 239 Total Participants 5,986 (in-person) Contact Hours via Educational Programs- 165,655 Educational Contacts by Volunteers 11,896 (hours) Individual Contacts (including mail and ) 1,363

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4 IMPROVING THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS OF TEXAS RELEVANCE According to the most recent Texas Diabetes Council statistics, an estimated 1.8 million Texans aged 18 years and older have been diagnosed with Type II Diabetes. Additionally, over 400,000 more Texans are believed to have undiagnosed diabetes. In many cases, Diabetes is also linked to higher incidences of Hypertension, High Cholesterol, and Stroke. Current statistics show Houston County to have a higher death rate from Diabetes than the state mortality rate. Additionally, for individuals aged , Heart Disease and Cancer account for up to 58% of deaths in Houston County. Members of the Houston County Family and Consumer Science Program Area Committee identified Diabetes Education, Heart Disease and Cancer Prevention as areas of focus for Extension programming. RESPONSE Individuals throughout Houston County with Type II Diabetes and those at risk for Heart Disease and Cancer were targeted through newspaper and radio announcements, flyers at medical clinics, public libraries, businesses, senior center and through an existing Diabetes Support Group at the Crockett Resource Center for Independent Living (CRCIL). As Houston County Employee Wellness Coordinator via the Texas Healthy County program, a 10 week physical activity program, PATH, was also implemented. Two community wide health fair displays were utilized to educate community members on the Do Well, Be Well with Diabetes class series. The following series of classes/workshops were presented: - Do Well, Be Well with Diabetes and Cooking Well with Diabetes educational display at Community Health Fair - Do Well, Be Well with Diabetes series 5 Week Series held on consecutive Friday afternoons in October - Eat Smart lesson series Heart Health, Cancer Health and Bone Health topics - Diabetes, Arthritis and Men s Health topics RESULTS 5 individuals participated with the Do Well, Be Well with Diabetes program, with another 39 participants attending a more generalized Diabetes educational presentation. 177 individuals attended a community health fair featuring Do Well, Be Well and Cooking Well materials. 24 individuals attended lessons relating to Blood Pressure, Heart Health and

5 Cancer Health. 15 Houston County Employees participated with the Healthy County PATH walking challenge. Participants with the Do Well, Be Well with Diabetes program ranged in age from Most participants had been diagnosed with Type II Diabetes for at least 1-2 years. 100% of participants reported taking Diabetes pills to help manage their condition, along with blood pressure medication. All Do Well, Be Well program participants reported checking their bold glucose with a meter, however, most were only consistently checking before breakfast and not at any other time during the day. The overall potential economic impact for participants in Houston County totals $289,025. This figure reflects potential the health care savings that could be realized through reduced hospitalizations, illness and work absences related to poor management of Type II Diabetes. FUTURE PLANS Based on current health statistics, diabetes, cancer prevention and heart health education will continue to be a need in Houston County. ACKNOWLDGEMENTS I would like to recognize the staff of the Crockett Resource Center for Independent Living, GET-CAP Head Start, and the Houston County Senior Citizen s Center for the generous use of their facilities and support of ongoing Extension programming in Houston County.

6 Helping Texans Eat Better and Safer Relevance Approximately 18% of Houston County s population are food stamp recipients with another 6-8% living in poverty without receiving any food stamp assistance. Median household income in Houston County is approximately $32,600, which falls well below 185% of the poverty line or $41,792 for a family of 4. In the County seat of Crockett, 38% of the population lives under the federal poverty rate. Research indicates that limited resource individuals consume diets that are not in accordance with the US Dietary Guidelines, potentially increasing their risk for developing chronic disease. Additionally, limited resources audiences are at a higher risk for food insecurity and hunger, which also impacts health. Additionally, food and nutrition workshops were identified by the 4-H Adult Leader Association as a project area for interested youth. Youth participating with the Food and Nutrition Project are better equipped to make good food choices and understand the positive impact a balance diet has on overall health. Response The Better Living for Texans (BLT) program was developed by educators from the Texas AgriLIFE Extension Service and is partially funded by the US Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly the Food Stamp Program) to provide educational programming to limited resource individuals in Texas. The goals of the BLT program include: Improving dietary quality and increasing physical activity. Adoption of food resource management skills such as meal planning, budgeting, comparison shopping and utilizing lists. Reducing out-of-pocket food expenses Improving food safety practices (hand washing, proper storage of food, proper cooking and thawing of food) to reduce the incidence of food borne illness. Based on the guidelines created for counties across the state, Houston County Extension staff will contribute a minimum of 312 hours of nutrition education and support work for limited resource families and will report a minimum of 60 direct face-to-face educational contacts. The 4-H Food and Nutrition project is popular with many youth and consists of Food Show, Food Challenge, Poster Contests, Nutrition Quiz Bowl and various county level fair and festival food contests. Basic nutrition principals, the five food groups, food safety and altering recipes for health are just a few of the topics covered in the 4-H Food and Nutrition Project. Results During 2011, 24 programs on 16 different Better Living for Texans topics (basic nutrition, budgeting, food safety) were delivered to the residents of Houston County. Participants came from local Housing Authorities, WIC, Local School Districts and Head Start programs, Crockett Resource Center for Independent Living and SHARE food bank clientele, Houston County Senior Center, as well as interested community members. In addition to the individual programs, BLT information and related

7 materials were distributed at 3 Community Resource Fairs. In total, 1,458 participants either attended BLT educational programs or received BLT related educational information via mail, handouts or from community health fair displays. The education programs offered included: Build a Healthy Plate Understanding My Plate Three Easy Bites (3 lesson series) Eat Smart for Bone, Cancer and Heart Health Eat Smart, Live Strong Nutrients Missing from the Pantry of Older Adults Fast Food from Slow Cookers Dining at the Dollar Store Go, Slow, Whoa Foods Food Storage Timelines Food Safety Mini Talks about Mini Folks (child nutrition) Fifteen (15) Houston County 4-H members participated with the Food and Nutrition Project. Workshops offered included: Understanding MyPlate, Healthy Substitutions/Reading Food Labels, Food Challenge Fun, and Food Safety. Youth had a chance to showcase all they learned by participating with the Houston County 4-H Food Show and Challenge. Future Plans The recent economic downturn has resulted in an increase in families receiving food stamp assistance in Houston County. It is predicted that families will continue benefit from the educational lessons provided via the Better Living for Texans program. Youth continue to be interested in the Food and Nutrition Project, especially with the implementation of the Food Challenge contest. 4-H Food and Nutrition Project is projected to continue to grow in popularity.

8 2011 Houston County Agriculture Field Day Developed by Jennifer Allen, Houston County Extension Agent-Agriculture/Natural Resources RELEVANCE Today s youth are further removed from agriculture than previous generations of Americans. In fact, according to the survey administered to students participating in the field day, only 27% stated that they lived on a farm or ranch. Even if what seems to be a rural county in East Texas, 2000 Census Bureau data shows that 30% of residence in Houston County are considered non-rural citizens. Due to the ever growing disconnect between the consumer and production agriculture, students do not understand the importance of agriculture and how it affects their daily lives. In addition to the statistics, there is a push for higher TAKS scores from school districts in the county, thus a need for quality programs to teach life science skills that will be tested on the TAKS. The need for science education and agricultural literacy for elementary students were identified as issues in the Texas Community Futures Forum in The Agriculture Field Day targets fourth grade students in Houston County. RESPONSE As a result, the elementary schools in Houston County worked with the County Extension Agent to firmly establish the need for an agriculture literacy program targeted for fourth grade students. The goal of this agriculture literacy event is to increase the student s basic knowledge about agriculture. This resulted in 280 third grade students participating in the Agriculture Field Day. The committee developed the following programs to address this issue: Agriculture Field Day Teacher Student Packets (April 14, 2011) The county extension agent assembled and distributed the resource packets for all 3th grade students and teachers. Teachers packets included lessons and activities to use in the classroom before and after the Ag Fair. Also included in this packet is the pre-test for students to take before beginning the Science of Agriculture program. Agriculture Field Day (May 19, 2011) Third grade students and teachers participated in the Agriculture Field Day in Crockett, TX. Students were involved in a hands on learning experience where they visited nine different stations that aught them about various agriculture topics. The topics included: plant science, aquaculture, animal science, agronomy, water science, and horticulture. Agriculture Field Day Follow Up Student/Teacher Evaluation (May, 25, 2011) Once the agriculture field day was completed the teachers were given a second packet. This packet included handouts about agriculture facts to send home with the students, informational flyers about 4-H, and a post test evaluation for students and teachers to complete. RESULTS A pre and post evaluation instrument was administered to the students to measure the level of knowledge gained. A total of 161 out of 280 (58%) students completed the evaluation instrument. Results from the survey follow.

9 Table 1. Percent differences for pre and post tests concerning the Agriculture Field Day Statement Before % Correct Answer Pigs provide medical products for human use. (51 of 194) 26.3% Beef cattle provide people with leather to (113 of 194) make belts and shoes. 58.2% Agriculture is more than food. (87 of 194) 44.8% A dairy cow can produce milk even if she has (26 of 194) never had a calf. 13.4% Agriculture Affects your life if you eat or wear (55 of 194) clothes. It is important for farm animals to eat grass and grains so humans may use their meat and other by-products to improve human life. 28.4% (106 of 194) 54.6% agree If farmers did not raise animals or grow crops, I would not be able to eat foods such as pizza. (95 of 194) 48.9% agree Agriculture touches my life every day. (77 of 194) 39.6% agree This agriculture awareness program helps me (91 of 194) understand the importance of agriculture. 46.9% agree I am going to go home to tell my parents (110 of 194) about the importance of agriculture. 56.7% agree After % Correct Answer (65 of 161) 40.4% (102 of 161) 63.4% (85 of 161) 52.8% (54 of 161) 33.5% (72 of 161) 44.7% (100 of 161) 62.1% agree (82 of 161) 50.9% agree (89 of 161) 55.3% agree (102 of 161) 63.4% agree (106 of 161) 65.8% agree Chang e 14.1% 5.2% 8.0% 20.1% 16.3% 7.5% 2.0% 15.7% 16.5% 9.1% ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Special thanks to the following for their help with the agriculture field day: Houston County Farm Bureau, Stephen F Austin State University Poultry Science Dept., Davy Crockett Master Gardener Association, Houston County 4-H, Latexo FFA, Southwest Dairy Farmers Association, and Grapeland Farm and Ranch Supply.

10 2011 Houston County Leaders 4 Life Program Developed by Jennifer Allen, Houston County Extension Agent-Agriculture/Natural Resources REVEVANCE The 4-H program in Houston County accounts for just over 200 youth members with a mission that 4-H is a community of young people across American who are learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills. To reach this goal the Leaders 4 Life curriculum was taught to 4-H members in Houston County to help prepare them for the future. By teaching this leadership and character education curriculum and focusing it towards youth preparing for the future, it gives those individuals a positive outlook and confidence to know that they are learning the skills and knowledge they need to succeed. This program is directed towards youth ages 13 to 18 years old, who are interested in making a difference in their lives by seeking to become quality, respected leaders among their peers. RESPONSE As a result, the 4-H Adult Leaders Association worked with the County Extension Agent in Houston County to develop and host the Leaders 4 Life curriculum targeting youth ages years old, who are interested in developing their leadership skills and becoming a quality respected leader among their peers. This resulted in 13 youth receiving a certificate for completing the Leaders 4 Life program. The committee developed educational programs to address these issues. These programs include: Lesson #1: Section 1 & 2 (September 25, 2010) This lesson focused on the fundamentals of leadership including: Qualities of a Leader and Communication Connection. Lesson #2: Section 3 & 4 (October 25, 2010) Teamwork and decision making were the objectives taught during this lesson including: There s No I in Team and What Were You Thinking. Lesson #3: Section 5 & 6 (November 22, 2010) Topics for this lesson were having a positive attitude, being resilient, and conflict management titled: Change What and Peace Out. Lesson #4: Section 7 & 8 (January 24, 2011) Great Minds Think Differently and Use What You ve Got taught youth about creativity and using your resources. Lesson #5: Section 9 & 10 (February 28, 2011) What s Your Style and Leading with a vision taught youth about different types of leadership and how to have a vision for your group.

11 Lesson #6: Section 11 (April 25, 2011) Youth learned about the importance of setting goals in the lesson entitled Go for the Gold! This was the final Lesson in the Leaders 4 Life program and youth were able to put their skills to the test by planning a community service event for One Day 4-H. RESULTS A retrospective post evaluation instrument was administered to determine the level of knowledge changed and intent to adopt skills learned. Out of the 13 participants in the program 11 responded to the survey. Knowledge Gained. This section focuses on the level of knowledge that increased related to the Leaders 4 Life program. The results are as follows: Table 1. Mean score differences using the Likhert scale to reveal perceptual knowledge concerning the Leaders 4 Life program increases using a retrospective post evaluation strategy. Statement Mean Mean Change Before After My knowledge of level of different communication strategies My knowledge of teamwork My knowledge of the 5 methods of decision making My understanding of the definition of resiliency My understanding of creativity and its characteristics My knowledge of strategies to facilitate groups My understanding of different leadership styles My understanding of visioning My knowledge of the importance of goal setting and how to get goals accomplished. My understanding of the purpose and principles of parliamentary procedure Behaviors Changed. This section focuses of the behaviors that changed as a result of the skills learned in the Leaders 4 Life Program. The results are as follows: 10 of 11 (91%) stated that they are more confident in serving in a leadership role. 11 of 11 (100%) stated that they can define leadership and leadership qualities. 9 of 11 (82%) stated that they know how to be an effective communicator. 8 of 11 (73%) stated that they can identify their leadership style. 9 of 11 (82%) stated that they have developed or improved their teamwork skills. 8 of 11 (73%) stated that they are a better manager of conflict and know how to apply different management styles to conflict. 11 of 11 (100%) stated that they can use creativity to brainstorm and come up with the best solution to the problem.

12 10 of 11 (91%) stated that they are able to identify and utilize resources to get a task accomplished. 9 of 11 (82%) stated that they have a personal vision. 10 of 11 (91%) stated that they have set personal goals to help fulfill my personal vision. 11 of 11 (100%) stated that they can effectively participate in a business meeting using correct parliamentary procedure. 11 of 11 (100%) stated that they plan to implement a community service project. Looking Ahead. The results of this evaluation show that this program holds much value in developing effective youth leaders in the county. We plan to keep marketing this program for the 2012 year and hope to increase interest. We also plan to participate in the Leaders 4 Life competition in Acknowledgements. Special thanks to the following for assistance with the leaders 4 life program: Houston County 4-H Adult Leaders Association and Mandy Patrick-CEA/FCS.

13 Financial Education Workshops Relevance In cooperation with the Houston County Attorney's Office - Hot Check Division, an optional Financial Education class was offered as a way to reduce fees associated with court cases and as an effort to help reduce recidivism. Response Individuals were referred to the Houston County Extension Office on a monthly basis to participate with a 3 hour workshop focusing on improving family budgeting skills and enhancing knowledge of the uses and types of credit. Two existing lessons from the Money Smart curriculum were modified for use within the program. The lessons "Money Basics" and "Credit in a Money World" were adapted to meet the needs of the individuals with pending Hot Check cases. Classroom sessions included a review of useful tips and suggestion on budgeting, how to shop for better services with banks, credit unions and online banking. Participants were given the tools necessary to identify spending habits and create a workable Family Spending Plan. Numerous websites on budgeting, consumer reports and FTC services were referenced during the class sessions. Understanding FICO scores, interest rates, credit reports and credit counseling services were also highlighted. All participants received information on how to protect oneself from and/or survive Identity Theft. All participants were surveyed as to their intention to change current behaviors and/or adopt financial planning habits and practices as a result of their experience with the Financial Education program. Results Forty-nine (49) participants completed the program in % of participants rated the workshop topics as Helpful or better. Approximately 75% of participants rated the information received as Very Helpful or Extremely Helpful. 85% of participants who did not currently use a written budget or spending plan indicated they would do so in the future as a result of the session. 95% of participants that had not already obtained a copy of their credit report indicated they plan to do so. Future Plans The Financial Education workshops will continue to be offered in 2012 as an optional component of current Hot Check cases. Based on the positive feedback received, the classes may also be opened to the general public.

14 Texas AgriLife Extension Service Houston County Staff Jennifer Allen AG and Natural Resources Mandy Patrick Family and Consumer Sciences Karen Oestmann County Support Staff Contact Us Physical Address: 716 Wells Street Davy Crockett Memorial Park Crockett, TX Phone: Fax: Website: