Franklin County Project: 2012 Project Report

Project Background and Overview

Located in the Florida panhandle, Franklin County is one of the most rural and health challenged areas in the state of Florida. Franklin County has a diverse multigenerational population of proud, independent people who are deeply connected to the seafood industry and the areas waters. Franklin County is one of Florida's Areas of Critical Concern. With 23.1% of its residents living below the poverty level (as compared to 13.3% in the state), and ongoing challenges to the seafood industry resulting from changing weather conditions, the gulf oil spill, and changing FDA regulations, Franklin County faces significant threats to its only industry and to the health and security of its residents. According to the most current census, Franklin County has an estimated median household income of $26,756, which is 31% below the State average of $38,819 and 36% below the National average of $41,994. In Franklin County, one of every three children is living below the poverty level. According to Florida Department of Healths Bureau of STD Prevention & Control, the rate of bacterial sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and teen pregnancy in Franklin County is more than twice that of the states overall rate. The Arts in Medicine Programs at UF have been working in Franklin County since 2008 as a part of the Arts in Healthcare for Rural Communities initiative. Through funding from the State of Florida Division of Cultural Affairs and the Kresge Foundation, as well as partnership from the Florida Office of Rural Health, the initiative has seeded arts in healthcare programs in nine rural Florida communities. The Franklin County Project supports the overall goals for the initiative for addressing health disparities and encouraging positive health behaviors in rural communities. The annual Franklin County Project is designed to address specific and critical health disparities as identified by local health and human services partners in Franklin County.

From March 4-10, 2012, a group of 23 students, faculty members, and professional artists from the University of Florida and Shands Arts in Medicine worked in Franklin County in partnership with the Weems Arts in Medicine program, Franklins Promise Coalition, the City of Apalachicola, the Franklin County School, the Apalachicola Bay Charter School, and several other health and human service agencies. The team undertook three major projects designed to reduce health disparities and improve health outcomes by enhancing health literacy, access to health services, and positive health behaviors among local residents. In our work in Franklin County as volunteers and representatives of UF, we seek to: 1. Demonstrate an understanding of and respect for local culture 2. Demonstrate respect for local residents while providing culturally sensitive assistance 3. Work effectively with local partner organizations, local government, and residents 4. Demonstrate respect for the local environment through conscious consumption and conservation The Theatre Project: Addressing Intimate Partner Violence, Self-Esteem and Sexually Transmitted Infections in the Franklin County Schools The University of Florida Center for Arts in Medicines Theatre for Health Education team worked at three schools, the Franklin County Consolidated School (K-12), the Apalachicola Bay Charter (ABC) School (K-8), and the Alternative School (K-12), to institute a health education program primarily aimed at providing education about healthy relationships and communication skills for the prevention of intimate partner violence, and also following up on the previous years education on sexually transmitted infections. Coordinated by a licensed midwife Cindy Nelly, and certified dance/movement therapist Jenny Lee, the team consisted of ten students and professionals in the fields of the arts or health. Using theatre, role-play, small group discussion and question and answer sessions, the team covered developmentally appropriate content in a workshop setting for grades 6-12. Through interactive theatre and dialogue, the team addressed self-esteem, healthy relationships and communication, consent, coercion, sexual harassment, assault, rape, and prevention of sexually transmitted infections. Pre- and post-tests were administered in each class in order to assess participant learning. The team provided 32 theatre workshops for approximately 500 6th-12th grade students during the five-day residency at the Consolidated School. Additionally, the team conducted more in depth sessions for the softball, track and baseball teams each day

after school to provide an opportunity for discussion regarding sexual health and violence prevention through reflective writing and question and answer sessions. At the Consolidated School, questions from students ranged from sexual harassment at work, pregnancy prevention, personal experience with assault and rape, sexual health, signs and symptoms of sexually transmitted infections, and how to develop trust, good communication and healthy relationships. On Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, the team visited the Apalachicola Bay Charter School. During the initial workshop, the team facilitated education, skits, role-playing, and discussion regarding Intimate Partner Violence. Students were very enthusiastic and excited to receive the Theatre for Health Education team. The 8th grade girls prepared for the second workshop in advance by creating a Question Cup and filling it fully with questions from 8th grade students. The second workshop presented healthy communication styles as a foundation for self-esteem and healthy relationships. The students broke up in small groups for examples and discussion of scenarios modeling communication styles and consequences of negative communication. The workshop concluded with 20 minutes of discussion and answering questions from the Question Cup. Questions included a discussion of sexual and reproductive health, self-esteem, and healthy communication. On Tuesday afternoon, the team also visited the Alternative School to provide health education for students with significant learning and behavioral issues. Students brought up issues related to violence and assault within their homes and community in small group discussion. The Garden Project in Carrabelle Under the leadership of Joe Floyd of Gainesvilles Edible Landscapes, the Center for Arts in Medicines Garden Team installed a new edible garden at the Franklin County Senior Center. The goal of the garden project was to engage seniors in the community in garden-centered activities that promote health through physical and social engagement and fresh food utilization. During the planning process, Senior Center leaders expressed interest in having fruit trees that could serve as a basis for canning and cooking classes, a memory and scent garden that could be used in art, writing, and other programs, and a food garden that could be used for cooking classes and for contributing to the local food bank. Following the installation of a well, irrigation system, soil amendment, and garden design, the new garden was built to include, as envisioned, fruit trees, food, herbs and plants that were identified by area seniors as significant to the region and their personal histories. Shands Arts in Medicines writer in residence Dylan Klemper led a small team in conducting interviews

with seniors in the community to learn about the food- and plant-related history of the region. The information garnered from the interviews helped the garden team in selecting relevant plants for the garden and also helped engage area seniors with the garden project. The center is hopeful that area seniors will enjoy tending the garden throughout the year, and that the garden will significantly contribute to the health and well being of area seniors. The ABC School Garden and Art Project In 2011, and under the leadership of Joe Floyd, Kris Sullivan, and Sandra Murphy-Pak, an edible garden was installed at the ABC school by our team. The garden included art elements such as signage and totems, which were created by the students of the ABC School through daily activities facilitated by Sandra Murphy-Pak. The garden included both annuals and perennials, selected for their nutritional and educational relevance. Although the garden had been fairly well utilized for educational activities throughout its first year, it was in need of spring restoration in when we returned in 2012. Our spring renovation included weeding, redefinition of the original parameters and design, additions to the irrigation system, and planting of new annuals. In addition, cultural anthropologist Rick Stepp provided the schools teachers with a detailed curriculum for integrating the garden into classroom teaching, and the local Girls Scouts troupe signed on to help maintain the garden year-round. The relationships forged at the ABC school over the course of two years illustrate how the arts in healthcare program model works at the educational level. The garden project brings the concepts of healthy eating, healthy relating, and healthy living to the school in a tangible and sustainable way. Students at the school are given the opportunity to observe college students and professionals in action thus providing a positive model for change, healthy living, and the principles of possibility. Additionally, the students involvement in the garden promotes healthy living as they engage in the process of planting, tending, and harvesting.