A Year in Review- Family & Community Health by AgriLife’s Johanna Hicks
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Family & Community Health in Hopkins County
I want to start by wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. I know this is a bittersweet time for many as they have experienced loss, financial issues, illness, breakdown of relationships and other hardships in 2022. However, we all know that happiness and daylight always return, no matter what! Keep the faith!
Each year, our Extension staff provides summaries on program impacts throughout the year. This is the 5th program impact summary. Today’s focus will be on general family & community health influences during 2022.
RELEVANCE
Many people do not realize the expanse of Extension outreach in Hopkins County. The need for educational programming on various topics has been addressed through workshops, one-shot sessions, and health fairs. Master Wellness Volunteers and Family & Community Health Committee serve as a sounding board, but also assist with planning and implementing these programs. Partnerships with other agencies, networking opportunities, and resource provision are seen as strengths in the Family & Community Health area. As Family & Community Health Extension Agent, I have been honored to serve on the following:
- School Health Advisory Councils (SHAC) for Sulphur Springs and Como-Pickton School districts
- Community Resource Coordination Group (CRCG)
- Community Chest Board
- Sulphur Springs Head Start Advisory Board
- American Diabetes Association member
- Eclipse 2024 Committee (Chamber of Commerce)
Weekly Mass Media contributions are made to:
- Sulphur Springs News Telegram (52 regular columns, numerous special submissions)
- KSST Radio website and KSCH Radio
- Community Chronicle Newspaper
- Front Porch News Hopkins County Social media page (52 regular submissions, plus special contributions)
- Hopkins County Family & Community Heath social media page (3-6 per week)
- Quarterly contributions to Texas Extra newsletter (statewide Extension e-newsletter)
RESPONSE
Partnerships and collaborations have included:
· Independent school districts (7)
· Southwest Dairy Museum
· Senior Citizen’s Center
· Chamber of Commerce
· Food Bank
Major programs and workshops (in addition to those listed in previous summaries) have included:
– 49th Annual Christmas Joys Holiday Management Program (2 sessions reach 168 individuals)
– 55+ Health Fair (approximately 250 attended the event)
– Twogether in Texas Marriage Education (3 couples completed the workshop and saved $60 upon applying for a marriage license)
– 3-day Summer Sewing Workshop (37 youth and adults participated in the 3-day workshop)
– Judges’ Training for Fairs, Festivals and Events (partnership with Rains, Titus, Hunt, and Kaufman Counties) 2-day event reached 27 individuals who completed all segments
One-shot programs included:
- Hopkins/Rains Retired Teachers
- Canner lid testing and guideline distribution
• Lone Star Quilt Guild
• Extension Leadership Training – personality styles
State/National Recognition in 2022 included:
- TEAFCS: 1st place Healthy Texas Better Living for Texans
- TEAFCS: Commissioners’ Court Award
- NEAFCS: 1st place Master Family & Consumer Sciences Volunteer Program Award
- National Health Outreach Priester Award: Cooking Well with Diabetes
- Nominated for Extension Superior Service Award: Cooking Well with Diabetes
Coming next week: 4-H Youth summary.
Closing Thought
A year us basically 365 opportunities for something great to happen. May God bless you!
Contributed by Johanna Hicks, B.S., M.Ed.
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