The Outstanding Paraprofessional Award was presented at the annual Kentucky Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (KEAFCS) State meeting held in Lexington in December 2009. First, second, and third place winners were recognized. This award honors those who have demonstrated outstanding service to a particular demographic in their region through the use of paraprofessionals working with or supervised by Extension Agents for Family and Consumer Sciences.
Jenny Yarbrough, who works as an Expanded Foods and Nutrition Education Program assistant in Jackson County, was the first place winner. Yarbrough teaches nutrition to groups and individuals in a classroom environment and through her community garden project. She also prepares healthy samples for Farmer's Market Days and nutritious meals for programs once a month.
The second place recipient was Cathy Smith of Calloway County, who offers nutrition classes for one hour a week to the Calloway County jail. Kaye Johnting of Pendleton County received the third place recognition. Johnting teaches an adult sewing class in her community.
The Kentucky Paraprofessional Award encourages the use of imaginative and effective methods to reach special audiences and promotes state-wide recognition of outstanding service. To be eligible for the award, the individual must be an employee of the Cooperative Extension Service for at least two years..
Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Extension improves the quality of individual and family life through education, research, and outreach, and focuses on building assets of individuals and families to address the perennial problems faced across the lifespan. At the community level, FCS prepares individuals for community and economic development and activity. For more information, please visit fcs-hes.ca.uky.edu.