UGA Cooperative Extension is a collaboration between UGA CAES and UGA FACS.
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Our Impact
Hancock County is one of the poorest counties in Georgia. This environment leads to a majority of at-risk children who are more prone to engage in tobacco use, drug and alcohol use, and other risky behavior. Hancock County 4-H teaches the Health Rocks Curriculum in the classroom and as part of their after-school program. The Health Rocks lesson plans address the consequences of drug, alcohol, and tobacco use. A minimum of 10 hours of Health Rocks lesson plans have been taught to over 400 of Hancock's at-risk youth. The 4-H'ers learn life skills such as critical thinking, decision making, communication, emotion management, stress management, and goal setting. Health Rocks also provides health information and activities about the consequences of the problems of youth using tobacco, drugs and alcohol. The most successful Health Rocks event in the county, which was chosen to be sent to national 4-H as an outstanding program/success story, is the Health Rocks booth at the Relay for Life rally. Many of the students who have been through the lesson plans bring their parents and grandparents to the booth. Most want them to quit smoking and to understand the dangers.
