Kentucky Healthy Homes and Communities

An initial informal survey of county agents has already shown that there is interest in participating in MHEE in Kentucky. The Healthy Homes and Communities Initiative Committee has been established and has selected this as a program that they are supporting through in-service training opportunities. Contacts have been made with the American Lung Association to develop this project in Kentucky with FCS Extension as a partner. A certified trainer will come to Kentucky's FCS statewide in-service training in May 2010 to share program objectives and potential with all 126 FCS agents to recruit pilot counties for participation in the MHEE Program. The pilot counties will participate in the volunteer training in OctoberlNovember20I0led by thecertifiedMHEEtrainer. FCSagentsfrompilotcountieswillrecruit volunteers and potential partners from their community to participate in the training. Potential partners could include local civic and educational organizations, government officials, health departments, and fire departments. Recognized American Lung Association certified trainers in indoor air quality, moisture and biological contaminants, dust, lead, second hand smoke, asthma, household chemicals, ventilation will be conducting the training at a central site for those taking part in this pilot project. Class size for the training workshop will be limited to 35 people, including both volunteers and county agents from the participating counties. After attending the 7-hour training they must complete 7 in-home environmental assessments to become an MHEE volunteer. This work would be conducted through the supervision and sponsorship of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service.