Pettis County

Beverly Pfeiffer, Human Development Specialist

Pettis County, Missouri

HUMAN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

RETHINK - Anger Management Successful Aging Caregiving and Loss Programs that Work Reducing the Risk Pettis/Benton County FCE Extravaganza Community Connection Cultural Diversity Activities

Programs for Parents Newsletters/Resource Materials Family Nutrition Education Program Feeding Young Children Preserving Food at Home Get Moving: Feel the Difference Parenting Education

 

Human - Our work is people centered. Through education we reach out to diverse individuals and families. Environmental - Our goal is to improve the quality of life for people in the environments in which they live, work, learn, and relax. Sciences - Our profession is based upon social and natural sciences.  We provide unbiased, research-based information and access to the knowledge base of the University of Missouri System and Lincoln University. Extension - Our specialists conduct programs in response to local needs in communities throughout the state. HES Extension in Missouri - Human Environmental Sciences (HES) Extension conducts programs in support of the social physical environmental and financial well-being of Missouri citizens.  In cooperation with our college's academic departments, HES Extension creates research-based programs that are designed to meet the needs identified by Missouri residents.  These programs consider the special needs of rural, suburban, and urban populations in their own environments.   We place emphasis on programming for vulnerable populations to improve their life quality.  Extension specialist partner with other agencies to assist Missouri citizens in meeting the challenges of everyday life.  We work closely with families, community leaders, educators, employers, and state and local groups to deliver our educational programs. HYPERLINKS TO MORE INFORMATION! Center on Aging Studies Without Walls Consumer Economic Update Newsletter Continuing Education Continuing Professional Education Food & Nutrition Resource Newsletter Kids Count Data National Network for Child Care National Network for Family Resiliency Nutrition & Health Parent Link Step by Step Newsletter UOE Families & Children X-PLORE              Guidesheets on-line

 

WHAT DOES HUMAN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES (HES) MEAN TO FAMILY MEMBERS THROUGHOUT THE FAMILY LIFE CYCLE?

Human Environmental Sciences (HES) conducts programs in support of the social, physical, environmental and financial well-being of Missouri citizens. HES Extension provides research-based information and access to the knowledge base of the University of Missouri System and Lincoln University. Programs are designed to meet the needs identified by Missouri residents. A network of state and regional specialists work together to provide current program information that can help family members meet the challenges of change.

Program needs being addressed by State Teams include: Building Strong Families, Parent Education, Elderly Issues, Family Financial Management, Nutrition and Health, Beyond Life in the State of Poverty, Housing, Balancing Work and Family and Life Challenges and Choices.

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RETHINK - ANGER MANAGEMENT

Although anger is an universal emotion many people have difficulty expressing feelings of anger and dealing with these feelings constructively. RETHINK is a two-hour, six session workshop to assist parents with understanding and managing their anger. It is a step-by-step program to help adults learn how to deal with anger, as well as children’s difficult behaviors.

The RETHINK program was provided for the third time in Sedalia May 2001. There were twelve Early Headstart Families participating in the six-week program.

Past results show: Increased knowledge of parenting and anger management, Improved parenting and anger management behaviors, Increased understanding of children and Reduced anger levels.

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SUCCESSFUL AGING

An increasing portion of our population survives into advanced years, therefore more individuals have a need to better understand how to age successfully. Young and old alike can benefit from a greater understanding of the aging process and how to intervene so as to limit the losses and realize the potential associated with advanced years.

A series of programs dealing with successful aging have been developed this past year and will be implemented in the upcoming year. They include the following: Creativity, Memory, Nutrition/Exercise, Relationships, Retirement, Spirituality, and Activity/Leisure/Volunteerism.

Over 250 people in Pettis, Benton, Morgan and Moniteau counties receive the Senior View Newsletter. This past March Aging resources were shared with over 250 persons who attended the Safe Senior Day held in Sedalia. Stroke screening was offered to older adults who attended. Occupational and physical therapists from Rusk Rehabilitation along with occupational and physical therapy students provided the screening. Eighty citizens have participated in programs on Memory and Grandparents Raising Grandchildren.

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CAREGIVING AND LOSS - FAMILY NEEDS, PROFESSIONAL RESPONSES

The Eighth Annual National Bereavement Teleconference sponsored by the Hospice Foundation of America and co-sponsored by University of Missouri Extension and Bothwell Regional Health Center Hospice was held in Sedalia in April 2001. The three-hour satellite conference focused on ways that professionals can more effectively assist and inform family caregivers about end-of-life care and support families as they cope with their grief.

The 9th annual satellite conference Living With Grief: Loss in Later Life will be held in Spring 2002.

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SHOWCASE OF PROGRAMS THAT WORK

A Showcase of Programs That Work was held in Jefferson City in November. These were the programs that the Center for Disease Control has shown to be effective. There were twenty teachers participating from around the Central Missouri Region.

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REDUCING THE RISK CURRICULUM TRAINING

REDUCING THE RISK is a curriculum designated as one of the “Programs that Work” by the Center for Disease Control. Reducing the Risk has been shown to be effective in reducing the incidence of unwanted pregnancies, STD’s and HIV. This two-day workshop conducted by trained University of Missouri Extension Specialists has been offered three times in the Central Missouri Region.

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PETTIS/BENTON COUNTY FCE EXTRAVAGANZA

The Pettis/Benton County FCE Extravaganza was held in Sedalia in April 2001. Programs included “Living Healthier Longer”, “If Your Bones Could Talk”, 4-H Global Experience Austria, and a program on Costa Rica. This is an annual one day educational opportunity planned by of the Pettis and Benton County Family and Community Education members.

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COMMUNITY CONNECTION

Community Connection is a web-based database designed to make information about human resources easily available to people. Service providers need to communicate information about their resources. Community Connection applies information technology to improve the connection between agencies and the public. In Pettis County, this is a cooperative effort between University of Missouri Extension and the Pettis County Community Partnership. For more information or to enter you agency or organization, please contact either agency. There are approximately 120 agencies or organizations on line in Pettis County. The address is http://www.communityconnection.org/

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 CULTURAL DIVERSITY ACTIVITIES

This past year University of Missouri Extension was involved in the Annual Global Village held in Sedalia in September. Activities included serving on the Global Village steering committee and the Marketing and Publicity Committee.

Seven presentations were given on the Global Leadership Education Program held in Thailand in November 2000. These were provided for agencies and service groups.

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PROGRAMS FOR PARENTS

Parents, like children, come in all types, sizes and shapes, and each parenting situation is different. The University of Missouri Extension Parent Education Program Team has developed educational programs to reach diverse parent audiences. A variety of resources

and workshops are available to help meet the needs of these audiences: remarried families, employed parents, single parents, divorcing parents, children of divorce, grandparents raising grandchildren, parents with young children, fathers, parents of teens and children with learning differences are typical attendees.

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NEWSLETTERS/RESOURCE MATERIALS

More than 3,000 individuals receive the Thriving Newsletter (subscribe through your local University of Missouri Extension Center). A number of program resource materials are also available at the local office. Programs are available on a wide variety of topics and can be developed in accordance with specific needs or request.

Senior View is a newsletter with news of interest for people from 50-100. This newsletter is available to citizens in Benton, Moniteau, Morgan and Pettis counties. Please contact your local county office if you would like to receive this monthly newsletter.

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FAMILY NUTRITION EDUCATION PROGRAM

The Family Nutrition Education Program’s (FNEP) mission is designed to serve the limited resource citizens in Pettis County learn how to achieve lifelong health and fitness. Through FNEP youth and adults learn how to make wise choices for the benefit of their health and to develop sound eating and exercise habits leading to overall improved nutrition. Myrtle Griggs and Annette Craig, paraprofessional nutrition educators residing in Pettis County deliver nutrition education to individuals and groups in homes, schools and agencies. Additional information on FNEP can be found at http://www.outreach.misouri.edu/fnep

This year, the FNEP in Pettis County celebrated these successes:

Annette Craig, provided over 100 lessons to over 900 students attending Washington, Heber Hunt, Horace Mann, and Parkview Elementary Schools, Sedalia Middle School), Pettis County RXII – (Dresden), Pettis County RV – (Houstonia) (Northwest Elementary), Green Ridge, and Smithton R-VI schools. Specifically designed curricula address the objectives of the Show-Me standards discusses the food guide pyramid, making healthy choices within the foods groups and balancing nutrition with physical activity. Students participate in food tasting and food safety activities including hand-washing demonstrations using a black light and germ gel. A take home newsletter for parents enhanced the learning experience.

Myrtle Griggs, nutrition education assistant provided adult programming in Pettis County reaching over 50 homemakers in Green Ridge, LaMonte and Sedalia. Adult curricula include twenty family nutrition lessons. Core lessons include:

Making Meals from what’s on hand

Creative Cooking

Making healthy food choices

Planning makes the difference

Stretching your food dollars

Keeping food safe

Percentage of racial/ethic characteristics:

White 86%

Black 10%

Hispanic 3%

Asian or Pacific Islander 1%

55% of families = 80% of poverty level

Additional information on FNEP can be found at http://www.outreach.misouri.edu/fnep

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FEEDING YOUNG CHILDREN

Child care providers play a major role in the lives of children. They bring a variety of backgrounds and experiences in interacting and feeding young children. Studies indicate that educational opportunities can benefit these professionals, as well as the children in their care.

During the spring of 2001, 193 childcare providers in Central Missouri participated in the program, “Feeding Young Children.” Five programs were offered in three locations-Jefferson City, Columbia, Sedalia (Sedalia EduCare helped sponsor the programs at that location). Approximately two-thirds of the childcare providers attending the programs were center-based and one-third were family-based. The experience level of the participants was varied: 22% had less than 5 years, 22% had 5 to 10 years and 56% had over 10 years.

The “Feeding Young Children” programs utilized taped portions of a videoconference series broadcast by the University of Idaho “Creating a Developmentally Sound Feeding Environment” and “Choices for Children’s Health and Well-Being” were the topics for the two, 2-hour programs. The objectives of the programs were to help participants learn:

• Developmentally appropriate strategies for providing food and supporting young children during mealtimes;
• Basic nutritional needs of infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers;

· Strategies for safely preparing and presenting food in child care settings.

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PRESERVING FOODS AT HOME

Using up-to-date food preservation techniques and recipes in critical for producing safe, high quality home preserved foods. University of Missouri Extension is a great resource for providing consumers with this reliable, USDA researched-based information.

During the past year, UOE food preservation programming efforts provided a variety of opportunities for home food preservers to learn safe skills and techniques for preserving foods:

• More than 300 individuals in Benton, Boone, Carroll, Chariton, Cooper, Howard, Pettis, and Saline counties requested assistance with food preservation questions via phone, e-mail, or stopping in the local UOE offices. Supplemental food preservation materials were sent to many of these individuals.
• 51 pressure canner dial gauges were tested for accuracy at Boone, Carroll, Cooper and Pettis county extension centers. Of those tested, 41% were found to be accurate. Twenty percent of the gauges were useable (if adjustments were made), but 39% of the gauges needed to be replaced.
• 46 individuals attended the two-hour workshop, “Preserve It: Preserving Foods at Home,” which was held at two locations in Columbia.

One program segment was aired on an area television station and 3 interviews were aired on area radio stations.

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GET MOVING: FEEL THE DIFFERENCE

Surveys reveal that approximately two-thirds of Americans are choosing to live physically inactive lives. Research also indicates that our sense of balance begins to deteriorate as we age and thus increases the risk of falling. Studies indicate that leading a physically inactive life is a major health risk factor for many diseases and health-related problems. The good news is that everyone has the potential to become more physically active. Studies indicate that even a moderately active lifestyle can have a major impact on your overall health and improve your sense of balance. We also know that physically fit seniors are generally better able to care for themselves and maintain their independence.

The “Get Moving: Feel the Difference” program was developed to reach out to the people who are leading relatively inactive lives-which is the majority of the population. It’s primary mission was not to shame and blame people who are inactive but to provide a positive, fun and motivating experience where people can learn practical, simple ways to become more physically active and improve their balance. The goal of this program was to help participants:

• Assess their balancing ability.
• Gain knowledge they could use in becoming more physically active.
• Learn skills they could use to lead a more physically active life.

During the past year, 196 adult men and women participated in the 90-minute program, “Get Moving.” Nine of these programs were offered in eight locations (Columbia, Sedalia, Marshall, Boonville, Glasgow, Brunswick, Salisbury, and Carrollton).

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Focus On Kids

Focus on Kids is a 2 ½-hour face-to-face program provided by University of Missouri Extension in collaboration with the circuit court system.

The program uses a specific video and discussion format to help divorcing parents:

Understand the importance of sustained, supportive, and nurturing involvement by both parents.

• Be aware of children’s and adolescents’ developmental needs, abilities, and common reactions to divorce.
• Learn what to do and what not to do (to help children cope).
• Be informed about the community resources that are available.

Each parent receives a take-home packet of information including publications, book lists, websites, and a directory of parent resources.

The Focus on Kids Divorce Education program has been conducted in Pettis County since May 1999. For 2001, there were 250 parents who attended Focus on Kids in Sedalia.

Parents complete an evaluation at the end of the session. The evaluations from the past year provide encouraging impact data. Below are parents' average ratings (on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 indicating "strong agreement") of statements related to the program objectives:

• The program helped me understand how children are affected by a divorce, separation, and not living with both parents. 4.39.
• The program helped me to understand the benefits to my children if their other parent and I can work cooperatively with each other. 4.33.
• The program helped me to understand the needs and reactions of children of various ages to divorce and separation. 4.27.
• The program provided useful ideas about reducing stress for children. 4.28.
• I plan to avoid arguing/fighting with my children's other parent in front of the children. 4.62.
• Overall, the program was worthwhile. 4.45.

“The instructors were very open to questions and tried to answer all questions and provide other ideas for more help.”

“Seeing how divorce effects the children I have always thought about it but hasn't hit home until this class. Thank you.” (Typed as written)

“It brought out the awareness about not involving the children in issues which should be dealt w/between adults. Let the adults be adults & the children be children not mediators.”

• 56% of the parents were female and 44% of the parents were male.
• The average age of the parent was 33.58 years (range = 19 to 51 years).
• Caucasians composed 96% of the classes, .8% Latino/Latina, 2% African-American, and 1.2% other.
• 48.4% were high school graduates, and 42.8% had post-secondary education.
• 19.2% of the parents listed an annual household income of less than $20,000, 29.2% indicated an annual income of between $20,000 and $34,999, and 40.6% have a household income of $35,000 or more before separation..
• The parents spent an average of 11.16 years together, with a range of seven never having lived together to 45 years. The parents had an average of 1.35 marriages.
• Two Focus on Kids female participants reported being pregnant and mothers reported a total of 248 children under the age of eighteen. This gave an average of slightly more than 1.76 children per mother. Four males reported a pregnant divorcing spouse/significant other (one with twins) and fathers reported 193 children. This was an average of slightly more than 1.75 children per father.

One of the resources given to parents during the session is a book list for parents and children.

The program in the 18th Circuit involves the University of Missouri Extension staff, Connie Mefford, 4-H Youth Specialist and Beverly Pfeiffer, Human Development Specialist.

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		University of Missouri Extension Pettis County pettisco@missouri.edu Site maintained by Eva Kabler, kablere@missouri.edu Updated 05/24/04