Participation Type
Panel
Session Title
A Community Approach to the Wellbeing and Resilience of Appalachian Youth During an Opioid Crisis
Session Abstract or Summary
Kentucky’s Appalachian youth experience high rates of adverse childhood experiences. Opioid abuse, poverty and unemployment dominate our news headlines. Youth are suffering negative impacts of these issues and experiencing disproportionate rates of depression, suicidal thoughts, food insecurities, obesity and lack of physical activity. Overdose deaths and incarceration rates among parents with substance abuse disorders negatively impact family units and contribute to increased homelessness, foster care and kinship care among our youth population.
UK Center of Excellence in Rural Health was established in 1990 to address health disparities. Located in the heart of Appalachia, UKCERH formed partnerships for a multi-faceted approach to improving youth wellbeing.
Healthalachia, a youth empowerment initiative by UKCERH and KY Valley Education Cooperative, provides competitive mini-grants and research mentors to groups of high schoolers who identify a health concern at their school and implement a student-led improvement plan.
Mental Health First Aid instructors at UKCERH educate staff and students at local public schools to recognize when help is needed and how to get help.
Children’s World Health Survey, conducted in partnership with UK College of Social Work, examines 3rd, 5th and 7th grade children’s perception of their wellbeing regarding school, family, safety and friends.
Perry County Kids on the Move and Breathitt County Youth Wellness Council address childhood obesity through creative strategies, improved school policies and programming for better nutrition and increased physical activity during and beyond the school day. Partners include farmers markets, school wellness councils and community-based organizations, with coalition/steering committee support from UKCERH.
Presentation #1 Title
A Community Approach to the Wellbeing and Resilience of Appalachian Youth During an Opioid Crisis
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
The Children’s World Health Survey was conducted at an Appalachian public school system by UK CERH in partnership with UK College of Social Work. Select findings will be presented on this survey that examined 3rd, 5th and 7th grade children’s perception of their wellbeing regarding school, family, safety and friends.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Melissa Slone is a Master of Social Work (MSW) graduate of the University of Kentucky with 19 years of experience working with families and children in residential and foster care settings. In her current position at the UK Center of Excellence in Rural Health, Melissa is an instructor and the program coordinator for the UK College of Social Work’s off-campus Southeast Kentucky MSW program. She also serves in a leadership role for research and community engagement. She has been active in the Kentucky Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers were she has served as Eastern Kentucky Branch Chair, Chapter Secretary and Chapter Vice President. Melissa is also the previous Kentucky Project Manager for the Appalachian Community Cancer Network.
Presentation #2 Title
Healthalachia
Presentation #2 Abstract or Summary
Healthalachia is a youth empowerment initiative by the UKCERH and the KY Valley Education Cooperative. It provides competitive mini-grants and research mentors to groups of high schoolers who identify a health concern at their school and implement a student-led improvement plan. Presenters will share the model of this program and feature select works completed by the students.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #2
Dr. Jeff Hawkins is the executive director of the Kentucky Valley Educational Cooperative (KVEC). KVEC is one of eight educational cooperatives in Kentucky consisting of 22 member school districts in Appalachia Kentucky and serving more than 50,000 students with a comprehensive array of content specific projects and initiatives. Dr. Hawkins earned his doctorate in education leadership from Morehead State University. He has served as a teacher, administrator, leader and innovator in education throughout eastern Kentucky for more than 30 years.
Presentation #3 Title
Mental Health First Aid
Presentation #3 Abstract or Summary
Certified Mental Health First Aid instructors from UKCERH work directly with public schools to educate staff and students. The goal of this project is to teach students, teacher and staff to recognize when mental health help is needed and how to get help in a timely manner.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #3
Rose Shields is a rural project manager at the UK Center of Excellence in Rural health. She holds a bachelor of psychology from Eastern Kentucky University and has extensive experience working in the mental health field with both children and adults. In her present role at the UK Center of Excellence in Rural Health, Rose serves as a rural project manager for research and community engagement and is a certified instructor for mental health first aid.
Presentation #4 Title
Kids on the Move!
Presentation #4 Abstract or Summary
Kids on the Move! is a signature three-year program in Perry County Kentucky geared toward addressing childhood obesity through creative strategies, improved school policies and programming for better nutrition and increased physical activity during and beyond the school day. Partners include farmers markets, school wellness councils and community-based organizations, with coalition members and steering committee support from UKCERH.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #4
Robert Donnan facilitates the Perry County Wellness Coalition and is Coach for Success for its signature three-year project, Kids on the Move! Robert is an independent community and economic development consultant who focuses upon entrepreneurship, creative placemaking and community wellness/public health initiatives in both metropolitan and rural locations. A graduate of the University of North Carolina, Robert also has worked closely with innovative public health projects, including outreach programs that seek to train Hispanic lay health workers to serve the needs of recent immigrants, providing improved access to health care and bilingual photonovellas offering health and hygiene information.
Presentation #5 Title
Healthalachia
Presentation #5 Abstract or Summary
Healthalachia is a youth empowerment initiative by the UKCERH and the KY Valley Education Cooperative. It provides competitive mini-grants and research mentors to groups of high schoolers who identify a health concern at their school and implement a student-led improvement plan. Presenters will share the model of this program and feature select works completed by the students.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #5
Dr. Dessie Bowling is the associate director of the Kentucky Valley Educational Cooperative (KVEC). KVEC is one of eight educational cooperatives in Kentucky consisting of 22 member school districts in Appalachia Kentucky and serving more than 50,000 students with a comprehensive array of content specific projects and initiatives. Dr. Bowling earned her doctorate of education from Eastern Kentucky University. She has dedicated her career to Appalachian students in eastern Kentucky, serving as a teacher, administrator, leader and innovator.
Presentation #6 Title
Breathitt County Health Planning Council for Children
Presentation #6 Abstract or Summary
Policy changes and improvements in nutrition, physical activity and the built environment are some of the accomplishments that have resulted from the Breathitt County Health Planning Council for Children's collaboration with community partners. Their work with a three-year grant has also led to the creation of diabetes-focused programming, the expansion of of the local Farmer's Market and community garden, and the launch of a local seed library.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #6
Karen Back is the director of the Breathitt County Child Health Council and is currently leading a 3-year grant to improve health outcomes of youth in Breathitt County. Karen has extensive background in mental health working as a member of the Kentucky River Community Care Regional Prevention Center whose primary objective is to empower communities to implement policies at the local level that will have a positive and lasting effect on the community environment, thereby reducing the harmful consequences of the illegal use and abuse of substances.
A Community Approach to the Wellbeing and Resilience of Appalachian Youth During an Opioid Crisis
The Children’s World Health Survey was conducted at an Appalachian public school system by UK CERH in partnership with UK College of Social Work. Select findings will be presented on this survey that examined 3rd, 5th and 7th grade children’s perception of their wellbeing regarding school, family, safety and friends.
