[Gentle instrumental music]
[Male narrator]: The year 2020 brought many challenges,
but the Home and Community Department rose to the occasion
and responded to the needs of our state,
providing 9,472 virtual activities to 107,733 people.
The Economic Development and Community Resources Team
includes the Rural Online Initiative,
a shining star for many as remote work became the new normal across the state.
While the program caught momentum and expanded from 15 to 21 counties,
the remote work certification course had 1,438 participants,
and provided 6,154 jobs across the state.
The Nutrition Team, including the expanded food
and nutrition education and create better health programs
thrived as they transitioned their initiatives to a virtual format.
EFNEP provided 7,372 virtual offerings to 3,627 individuals,
with in person and virtual learning combined.
CBH provided 1,043 classes to 11,849 people.
This was an incredible accomplishment during a time
when counties were still searching for healthy food preparation and education.
Despite not being able to attend in person classes,
in partnership with CBH and the USU Extension Hunger Solutions Institute,
Farmers Feeding Utah was an extremely helpful solution
to hardship that affected the state as a whole.
The Couples and Family Relationships Team
successfully provided in person conferences prior to COVID-19.
Through their ability to quickly respond, provide online programming,
and transition to statewide virtual events,
the team provided valuable resources
to a much larger audience, creating an even greater impact.
Almost 300 relationship workshops were provided to 13,816 individuals.
The Food Preservation, Storage and Safety Team responded swiftly,
as was an intregal part, of creating the USU COVID-19 resources website.
They also answered the need for our state to be more self-reliant
through the increase of emergency preparedness education.
They tested 907 pressure canner gauges, answered 1,440 canning question calls,
and provided both in person and virtual webinars and workshops,
to more that 9,000 people.
The Health and Wellness Team recognized COVID-19 as the cause
of tremendous anxiety and stress to Utah statewide.
Resulting in an increased need for additional mental health resources.
The team developed and produced health and wellness Facebook live events,
rural mental health first aid classes, a monthly video series,
community events, and more.
The tribal and rural opioid and heart initiatives also provided training
and resources based around the prevention
and education that reached over 38,528 people.
The Finance and Resource Management Team responded to Utah's need
for trusted financial information and resources
to minimize the economic impacts of COVID-19.
They provided media outreach, a social media presence, online courses
and resources to help those trying to navigate through financial hardships,
and be better prepared for the future.
Faculty in the Home-Ed Community Department
worked with community partners, state specialists,
and internal marketing on a COVID messaging grant.
Materials were designed and translated to Spanish and Navajo languages.
Creatives were distributed through fliers, magnets, posters,
radio ads, billboards, bus ads, social media, and website ads,
reaching almost 3,000,000 people.
County faculty went above and beyond in 2020
to continue providing meaningful impactful programming
to members of their communities.
They were creative, innovative, and dedicated
as extension remained a trusted source of research based information
and programming that met the needs of those they served.
Looking back on 2020, although there were challenges,
there were many incredible and impactful accomplishments
that gave the Home and Community Department a chance to shine.
[Fading instrumental music]