2015 JACKSON COUNTY EXTENSION COUNCIL The Extension Council serves as an advocate for University of Missouri Extension in Jackson County. Elected and appointed members provide assistance in setting and accomplishing extension education program goals and objectives, developing the annual operating budget and determining local education priorities. B. Allen Garner Chair Alexa Barton Vice Chair Judy Qualkinbush Treasurer Vonda Schnelle Asst. Treasurer Valencia Broadus Secretary Tu’Fanza Byrd-Primos Asst. Secretary Barbara Barry District 1 Tu’Fanza Byrd-Primos District 1 Viannella Halsall District 1 Robin Rusconi District 1 Mary Cowan District 2 Drew Kelley District 2 Alethea Rollins District 2 Vonda Schnelle District 3 Dr. Roy Moss Grain Valley Gloria Austin Independence Valencia Broadus Kansas City Gary Fruits Lee’s Summit Greg Stegner Farm Bureau

2015 MU STATE EXTENSION COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE B. Allen Garner

URBAN REGION 4200 Little Blue Parkway, Suite 560 Independence, MO 64057 816.252.7717 Cindy Zluticky, Regional Director Milly Carter, Regional Administrative Associate

MU EXTENSION FACULTY AND STAFF IN JACKSON COUNTY Matt J. Brillhart, County Program Director

HORTICULTURE Lala Kumar, Horticulture Specialist Catherine Bylinowski, Horticulture Educator

HUMAN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES Marsha Alexander, Housing and Environmental Design Specialist Dr. Nina Chen, Human Development & Family Science Specialist Kelsey Jeter, Nutrition and Health Education Specialist Lydia Kaume, Nutrition and Health Education Specialist Kelsey Jeter, Nutritional and Health Education Specialist Shatomi Luster, Family Financial Education Specialist Daniel Cash, Community Development Specialist

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Jeff Samborski, Business Development Specialist

FAMILY NUTRITION EDUCATION PROGRAM Rachel Gordon-Poff, Project Coordinator Juliann Hadfield, Program Manager

FNEP Staff Nadine Boles, Pat Carner, Jackie Coleman, Leia Darden, Crystal Doffoney, Ruby Gomez, Andrea Grelle, Monica Haaf, Sara Hazan, Veronica Hernandez, Eugenia Houston, Sonia Jackson, Juana Lopez, Keri Preston, Gwen Reaws, Donnell Roberts, Juanita Robertson, Jamimah Shonekan, LaChelle Simpson, Pamela Smith, Ara Staab, Teri Tillman, Carol Zagar

4-H Beth Rasa Edwards, 4-H Youth Development Specialist Amanda Quance, 4-H Youth Development Specialist Susan Smith, 4-H Youth Educator Jessie Furnish, 4-H Youth Educator

4-H AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM ASSOCIATES Brett Campbell, Lucinda Carr, Shachuda Hampton, Christine Hines, Katie Thomas, Liliana Sanchez, Mark Pelmore, Naomi Reynolds, Isha Williams

OFFICE SUPPORT STAFF Crystal Lutgen, Office Manager/Bookkeeper Sara Hill, Receptionist/Office Support Assistant Karen Colby, 4-H Office Support Assistant Whitney Kirchhoff, Office Support Assistant Celeste Tilley, Office Support Assistant II Kelli Hamilton, FNEP Administrative Assistant Rita Ortiz, FNEP Support Assistant IV

JACKSON COUNTY

Blue Springs

1600 NE Coronado Dr. Blue Springs, MO 64014 Office: 816.252.5051 Fax: 816.874.4826 River Market 105 E. Fifth St., Suite 200 Kansas City, MO 64106 Office: 816.482.5850 Fax: 816.482.5880 E-MAIL: jacksonblsp@missouri.edu WEB: extension.missouri.edu/jackson

The Front Porch of the University of Missouri

Jackson County Annual Report

2015

University of Missouri, Lincoln University, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Local Extension Councils Cooperating equal opportunity/ADA institutions

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI EXTENSION 2015 ANNUAL REPORT FOR JACKSON COUNTY

65,560

EDUCATIONAL CONTACTS MADE WITH JACKSON COUNTY

RESIDENTS

$14.00

VALUE OF SERVICES PROVIDED FOR EVERY DOLLAR INVESTED BY THE JACKSON COUNTY LEGISLATURE

$4,607,704

PROGRAM VALUE DELIVERED BY MU EXTENSION IN JACKSON

COUNTY IN 2015

HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

Dear Jackson County Legislature and Friends of the University of Missouri Extension,

Thank you for your continued support and investment in the University of Missouri Extension in Jackson County. MU Extension serves as the “front porch” of the University welcoming people to the MU family of programs and information. MU Extension takes knowledge and information from the University campuses and through relevant, reliable, and responsive programming and services provides all residents in Jackson County opportunities to learn and improve their lives. MU Extension programs enhance the lives of all Missourians whether it’s through nutrition programs, the Master Gardener program, 4-H groups and activities, local community development efforts, financial education classes, or healthy home initiatives. MU Extension programs impact lives and communities.

In 2015, 65,560 educational contacts with 17,170 hours of direct programming were coordinated and facilitated within the County by MU Extension staff and educators. The generous funding provided by the Jackson County Legislature was leveraged to provide $14 in services for every dollar invested by the County. MU Extension looks forward to continuing its service to the residents of Jackson County with expanded programming and service made possible by the support of the County Legislature and the many partners who help make the delivery of education and services possible.

Sincerely,

B. Allen Garner

Health and Wellness

The Health and Wellness program was offered through community partners including senior housing, senior centers, schools, churches, nursing homes, a community center, and VA Medical Center. The program included Matter of Balance, Fall Prevention, Stay Strong, Stay Healthy, Tai Chi for Arthritis, Seated Tai Chi for Arthritis, and Tai Chi for Health. 3,200 people attended the Health and Wellness programs in Jackson County in 2015. The program helped young, mature adults, and people with physical disabilities improve their health. Some of the program exercises were modified to be safe and meet the needs of participants who used a cane, a walker, or a wheel chair. The evaluation results show that the program helped improve participant’s flexibility, body balance, and muscle strength and reduce tension, stress, joint pain, stiffness and risk of falling. Every participant commented the program

Strengthening Families

In 2015, 250 families were reached to improve and enhance skills on communication, family relationships, parenting and co-parenting, stress management, self-care, and healthier life physically, mentally, and spiritually. MU Extension programs also helped homeless families achieve self-sufficiency and divorcing parents increase understanding about how a divorce could affect children and how to use positive ways to solve conflicts. The programs included Building Strong Families, Taking Care of You, Healthy Relationships, Family Communication, Building Better Child Care, Positive Parenting, and Focus on Kids.

B. Allen Garner Jackson County Extension Council Chair 2015-2016

1,221

NUMBER OF FEDERAL TAX RETURNS ASSISTED BY MU EXTENSION AND

THE MOTAX INITIATIVE

3,200

PEOPLE WHO ATTENDED HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAMS IN

JACKSON COUNTY IN 2015

4,000

FAMILIES IMPACTED BY CRITICAL YOUTH AND COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP

ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM

MU EXTENSION IN JACKSON COUNTY 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 7

HOUSING AND ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN

Aging in Place

According to studies by AARP, up to 90% of older Americans want to age in their current home. There are many factors to consider; however, a safe, secure, and well-maintained home is vital. Universal design is a term often associated with senior housing. Universal design allows for flexible, adaptable, user-efficient space to accommodate everyone’s needs or requirements. MU Extension’s Housing & Environmental Design program has developed comprehensive resources to assist homeowners and renters on strategies for successfully aging in place, allowing individuals to live independently in their existing homes as long as possible. The resources include a community partnership publication entitled Home Communities For All Ages Idea Book, published by Mid-America Regional Council.

Energy Saving Workshop

A special energy workshop was developed and presented to Eastern Jackson County through an E3A grant received by the University of Missouri Extension. The workshop focused on specific strategies to reduce home energy usage and monthly energy bills. Each participant received a specially designed consumer energy kit that was provided through the E3A grant. The kits, one per household, included weather stripping, caulking, switch and outlet sealers, interior window insulation, two LED light bulbs, low-flow showerheads, and other energy saving products.

Healthy Homes

Marsha Alexander, Housing & Environmental Design Specialist in Jackson County, served as Co-Project Director for the 2015 Healthy Homes Partnership Grant initiative for Missouri. The goal of this statewide project is to increase knowledge of environmental hazards in the home, to increase awareness of serious health related issues to indoor environmental hazards, and to encourage citizens to take action that will reduce these hazards. Utilizing Healthy Homes Partnership resources, 14 workshops were presented in the Greater Kansas City area. One hundred thirty Jackson County residents received individual counseling on mold issues and other housing environmental concerns.

Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City In 2015, Master Gardener volunteers answered more than 1,153 hotline calls and served 32 people at the answer desk at the River Market Extension Office location. The Master Gardeners contributed more than 17, 794 hours of volunteer service in Jackson County. In 2015, there were 31 new Master Gardener volunteers who were trained by the horticulture staff of MU Extension.

The Master Gardeners are increasingly involved with the Kansas City midtown and downtown residents, especially in neighborhoods with diverse populations. Demonstration gardens have been established at the Swope Park Community Center, Harvesters Demonstration Garden, Ivanhoe Neighborhood Garden, Pendleton Heights Neighborhood Garden, Urban Green Dreams Palestine Neighborhood Garden and 18 Broadway Sustainability Demonstration Garden.

10,159

HOURS OF VOLUNTEER SERVICE PROVIDED BY MU EXTENSION

MASTER NATURALISTS

1,153

HOTLINE CALLS FIELDED BY MASTER GARDENERS FROM

MARCH TO OCTOBER

17,794

HOURS OF VOLUNTEER SERVICE PROVIDED BY MU EXTENSION

MASTER GARDENERS

HORTICULTURE

Osage Trails Chapter of the Missouri Master Naturalists

In 2015, Master Naturalists contributed more than 10,159 hours of volunteer service through 19 community partners in Jackson County. A total of 21 new Master Naturalist volunteers were trained in 2015. A board range of service activities were offered such as teaching at local nature centers, bird population survey, butterfly population survey, local river cleanups, tree plantings, glade restoration and invasive species removals.

4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

In Missouri, 1-in-5 youth between the ages of 5 and 18 participated in a MU Extension 4-H Youth Development program in 2015. Jackson County 4-H community clubs offer long-term educational experiences in which members learn life skills such as decision making, public speaking and working with others. Members learn by doing under the guidance of adult volunteers, who teach projects ranging from foods and photography to veterinary science and archery. Clubs also involve children and teens in community service and educational trips. In 2015, 247 Jackson County youth participated in 4-H community clubs in the county. Additionally, Jackson County 4-H was supported by 352 youth and adult volunteers. Their contribution was valued at more than $749,760.

Jackson County 4-H also offers school enrichment programs. These short-term educational experiences supplement learning in the classroom and are predominantly STEM-related topics such as aerospace but also include embryology. In 2015, 3538 participants were involved with 4-H school enrichment programs. Most of the enrichment programs are led by teachers but are also led by 4-H youth professionals in collaboration with school districts in Jackson County.

The Jackson County 4-H Afterschool program served 1,747 after school elementary and middle-school youth. Programs are delivered through a contract with the Local Investment Commission (LINC) with funding

of $534,720 from the 21st Century Grant. The contract funds nine (9) 4-H Afterschool Associates and one (1) 4-H Educator position within seventeen (17) LINC Caring Communities before and after school programs within three school districts of Hickman Mills, Kansas City and Grandview. The National 4-H Council Mentoring Grant – TechWizards of $48,000 has supplemented program efforts within 2 existing 4-H Afterschool LINC partnership sites and four (4) Independence Middle School 4-H Afterschool Robotics groups. In 2015, an additional resource of $5,000 was secured from the Truman Heartland Community Foundation funding from the Jelly Family Foundation to support the 71 Independence 4-H Afterschool Robotics Group members with 195 hours of instruction.

4-H Community Clubs

4-H Afterschool

255

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance

Through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), the University of Missouri Extension offers free tax help to people who make $50,000 or less and need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers from AmeriCorp provide free basic income tax return preparation to qualified individuals in local communities. They can inform taxpayers about special tax credits for which they may qualify such as Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, and Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled. Most locations also offer free electronic filing. VITA sites are located at community and neighborhood centers, libraries, schools, shopping malls, and other convenient locations that are close to local transit.

In 2015, the volunteers processed 1,221 federal tax returns and 1,973 state tax returns, which came to a total combined refund amount of $1,374,402.

MU EXTENSION IN JACKSON COUNTY 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 3

FINANCIAL EDUCATION

Youth and Financial Education

The University of Missouri offers financial education from a youth perspective. This series of lessons includes leadership skills, communication skills, job readiness and self-awareness. These practical skills prepare the youth for the future while applying financial acumen.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

NUMBER OF NEW JOBS CREATED IN 2015 THROUGH THE BUSINESS

DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

$8,111,370

ECONOMIC BENEFIT IN TERMS OF INCREASED SALES FOR

PARTICIPATING BUSINESSES

1,049

NUMBER OF CLIENTS AND COMPANIES RECEIVING BUSINESS

DEVELOPMENT COUNSELING

MU Extension contributes to local economic development through growth in jobs, sales, innovation, technology development and commercialization. The research-based education and technical assistance provided by the Business Development Program helps Jackson County business owners to improve the competitiveness and successes of their small businesses. In 2015, the program assisted 66 clients/companies through individualized business counseling and 1049 individuals through training programs. The economic benefit included four new business start-ups and $8,111,370 in loans and investments.

Community Development in Jackson County engages with and consults community-based organizations, local governments, and individuals seeking to enhance quality of life in Jackson County.

In 2015, Community Development launched the Critical Youth and Community Leadership Engagement (CYCLE) program in the Kansas City neighborhood of Palestine. This community directed development program will eventually impact over 4,000 families in this east side neighborhood. Additionally, Community Development facilitated four strategic planning processes, three board development trainings, and assisted one organization in developing an endogenous leadership

76,671

LOW-INCOME PARTICIPANTS REACHED BY FNEP NUTRITION

AND FOOD SAFETY EDUCATION

17,170

HOURS OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING PRESENTED BY

MU EXTENSION FACULTY

671

PEOPLE WHO LEARNED TO MAKE HEALTHIER CHOICES THROUGH

COOKING MATTERS

Cooking Matters

HEALTH AND NUTRITION

As part of the No Kid Hungry campaign to end childhood hunger in America, Share Our Strength's Cooking Matters teaches participants to shop smarter, use nutrition information to make healthier choices and cook delicious, affordable meals. In 2015, there were 671 participants comprised of adults, teens and children who wanted to make healthy meals on a budget. After attending a Cooking Matters six-week course, 100 % reported improved knowledge, skills, or understanding of maintaining a healthier dietary intake; 100 % reported using skills and recipes learned to improve their families diet; and 100% reported using skills and knowledge to shop healthier and reduce food costs.

Key partners in the program included Don Bosco Senior Center, Kansas City Parks & Recreation, Eleos Coffee House, Habitat for Humanity, Vine Street Senior Living, Woodlands at Citadel, and Phoenix Family Housing.

“I have become more aware of nutritional needs for my diabetic condition.”

MU Extension Mission: Our distinct land grant mission is to improve lives, communities and

economies by producing relevant, reliable and responsive educational strategies that enhance access

to the resources and research of the University of Missouri.

“This class allowed me to explore other ways of preparing food and having fun with cooking.”

3,538

JACKSON COUNTY YOUTH WHO PARTICIPATED IN 4-H ENRICHMENT

PROGRAMS IN 2015

10,159

NUMBER OF HOURS MISSOURI MASTER NATURALIST SERVED

JACKSON COUNTY IN 2015

$1,370,719

VALUE OF SERVICES PROVIDED BY MU EXTENSION VOLUNTEERS IN

JACKSON COUNTY

MU EXTENSION IN JACKSON COUNTY 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 5

Eat Smart in Parks

Eat Smart In Parks (ESIP) is a healthy food environment strategy that uses evidence-based practice to improve the healthfulness of foods offered at parks. ESIP brings together multiple sectors, including the MU School of Journalism’s Health Communication Research Center (HCRC), MU’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, MU Extension health and nutrition specialists, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Missouri Park and Recreation Association, Missouri Foundation for Health, municipal parks and recreation departments, and local health departments, in order to provide nutrition, marketing training and technical assistance to parks, LPHAs and other partners.

In the Jackson County region, three parks received technical assistance to improve their concession operations and implement Eat Smart in Parks including: Southeast Community Center, Sugar Creek, and Grain Valley.

PHOTO: Taste test event at Kansas City Southeast Community

Center. Assisting children taking a survey after sampling the

healthy snacks. Taste test items included baked hot Cheetos,

granola bars, organic chocolate milk, and whole grain teddy

grahams.

“I have learned a lot about healthy ways to cook and feel more confident to cook for others.”

COUNCIL GENERAL OPERATIONS 2015 BUDGET 2015 FUNDING FOR JACKSON COUNTY PROGRAMS

2015 FINANCIAL REVIEW

MU Extension delivered $4,607,704 in

programming value in 2015, serving

residents of all ages and all racial and socio-

economic groups. A total of 65,560

educational contacts were made (38.16

percent Caucasian, 48.67 percent African

American, 14.03 percent Hispanic, 2.57

percent Asian American, .81 percent Pacific

Islander, .46 percent Native American, 8.61

percent Two or more and .09 percent race

unknown). MU Extension was able to

leverage every $1 provided by the Jackson

County Legislature into $14 in services back

into the county through programs and

services.

Jackson County Legislature $241,275

USDA Nutrition Grant $1,276,208

4-H Afterschool Grants $534,720

Value of Volunteers $1,370,719

Local Grants $70,000

Educational Activities $75,223

University of Missouri Extension $1,039,559

TOTAL $4,607,704

Salaries and Benefits $134,100

Rent, Utilities and Storage $101,000

Travel $20,000

Phone and Internet $12,000

Supplies $13,000

Printing and Media $22,200

Audit and Insurance $6,000

Equipment $3,000

Postage $10,600

Staff Training $1,200

Council Operations $1,200

TOTAL $324,300

Family Nutrition and Education

University of Missouri Extension’s Family Nutrition Education Programs (FNEP) provided nutrition education to 76,671 low-income participants in Jackson County during 2015. FNEP includes the Family Nutrition Program (FNP) and the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP), and teaches information on nutrition, food safety, and physical activity for lifelong health and fitness.

Nutrition education for youth provides information in kid-friendly terms and lessons with hands-on activities. Activities include opportunities for taste-testing healthy foods and practicing skills that lead to good health. Education for adults includes nutrition, food safety, physical activity, and food resource management.

Evaluation data collected across the entire state reflects the positive impacts that occur in every county. Some results summarized for Missouri revealed that 68% of the youth would make healthier snack choices with 83% stating they are more willing to try new foods. Sixty-nine percent of the EFNEP adult participants improved how they managed their food dollars with 77% reporting they make healthier food choices.