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Family & Consumer Sciences |
Strong, successful families are the foundation for strong, successful communities!
All families, no matter how diverse, want to be physically and mentally healthy and financially sound. However, some families find they lack basic skills needed for daily living in today's society. This commonality creates the bond uniting Extension Family and Consumer Sciences programs across Texas, as they help families and individuals develop these vital life skills.
There are numerous educational opportunities for families sponsored by the Dallas County office of Texas AgriLife Extension Service.
Master Wellness Volunteer Program
You can give back to the community while you learn how to improve your own health!
Volunteers receive 40 hours of education related to wellness, nutrition, childhood health, food safety, healthy food preparation, public speaking and much more!
The training is conducted by County Extension Agents and health professionals who have access to the latest research based information in the area of health and wellness.
In return, volunteers are asked to give 40 hours of volunteer service to the Texas AgriLife Extension Services health and wellness program.
The volunteer opportunities are diverse, and include giving presentations for local community groups, assisting with healthy cooking demonstrations, distributing information at health fairs, and working with schools and after school programs, data entry, and much more!
Previous health or wellness training is not required, but an interest in living healthfully and helping others do the same is!
For more additional information contact:
Lexie McGrane, County Extension Agent
Family & Consumer Sciences
214-904-3050
AMcgrane@ag.tamu.edu
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What is EFNEP?
The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) is a federally funded program that provides nutrition education to families with children and youth with limited resources. For over 35 years, since 1968, the program has taught a series of 6 of more lessons on nutrition, food budgeting management/ consumerism, kitchen and food safety, food preparation, physical activity for healthier and more nutritious food choices. The program is free of charge to families with limited-resources.
EFNEP for Adults:
The adult component of the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program instructs adults charged with the care of children and families with children in a variety of neighborhood centers, community clinics, child care facilities, transition centers, schools, and churches, as well as, in private homes. Adults are taught by trained paraprofessionals working in the community. EFNEP paraprofessionals teach families to improve their knowledge and skills in nutrition which in turn improves health and well-being of their families.
Studies show that, for every $1 spent in implementing the program, between $2 to $17 are saved in health care for their clientele.
Classes for adults are generally one hour in length taught once weekly.
Paraprofessionals teach a minimum of 6 lessons and a maximum of 12, an average class will incorporate 8 nutrition lessons.
Classes are conducted in zip codes within central Dallas roughly inside loop 12.
English and Spanish classes are available.
EFNEP for Youth:
The youth Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program is available for youth-at-risk ages 9 to 19. This program is taught to youth through trained volunteers. Our staff provides training to volunteer leaders in churches, community centers, YMCA, Girls Inc., Boys and Girls Clubs, homes and schools. The program curriculum includes six lessons which focus on the basic food groups and the necessity of a healthy and well-balanced diet. Our lessons include various activities, as well as food demonstrations. We also place a strong emphasis on pre and post-test evaluations that provide a measurement of progress. Youth classes are conducted throughout inner city Dallas at community facilities.
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 Introduction:
The Better Living for Texans (BLT) is implemented under the Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program, a cooperative endeavor of Texas AgriLife Extension Service, the Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Southwest Regional Office of the Food and Nutrition (FNS) of USDA. The Better Living for Texans program provides nutrition education to assist food stamp, food stamp eligible and limited income families and individuals acquire the knowledge, skills and behavior necessary to maximize resources, have nutritional sound diets and improve self-sufficiency. Mission:
County Extension agents, Extension/Program assistants and volunteers in BLT counties provide food and nutrition, food safety and food resource management education for current food assistance participants, applicants and other limited resource families. These topics are taught in an integrated, holistic manner so that families are empowered to take greater responsibility for their own health and well-being and move toward self-sufficiency. Project Goal:
Current food assistance participants, individuals eligible for food assistance and other families with limited income will be provided nutrition education and guidance bases on research in the areas of food and nutrition, food safety, and food resource management through county Extension agents, Extension/program assistants and volunteers in participating BLT counties. Project Objectives:
To reach the project mission and goal, the following objectives will be met: Objective 1: Limited income individuals will make informed food choices based on an understanding of the Food Guide Pyramid and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and plan nutritionally sound meals for the individual or family. Objective 2: Limited income individuals select and prepare food food to maximize safety and nutrition. Objective 3: Limited income individuals adopt shopping practices to extend food dollars until the end of the month. For additional information contact: Lexie McGrane, County Extension Agent Family & Consumer Sciences 214-904-3050 AMcgrane@ag.tamu.edu
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Extension Education Association The Dallas County Extension Education Association is managed through the County Extension Office. Families are the heart of any community, and educational programs serving the needs of Texas' families are at the heart of the work carried out through the Extension Program. Extension Education clubs provide members with opportunities for education, leadership, and community service. Club members make new friends as they learn about topics that influence and impact their quality of life. Some of these areas include:
Extension Education Club members meet monthly for fun, fellowship and education. Dallas County also has an Extension Education e-mail club. Each month members receive a newsletter via e-mail, containing research-based information related to family and consumer sciences, and the group comes together quarterly for special "Ladies Night Out" educational programs.
If you would like to form an Extension Education club in the Dallas community, contact:
Lexie McGrane, County Extension Agent
Family & Consumer Sciences
Dallas County
214-904-3050
AMcgrane@ag.tamu.edu
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Family Life Education
Strengthening families through family life education.
Parents are the primary influence in a child’s life. Extension programming in parent education enables prospective parents, parents, and grandparents to improve their knowledge, parenting practices, and caregiving skills.
Child care providers play a vital role in caring for America’s children. Extension provides research-based information on child care related issues and on-line courses for child care providers to satisfy state mandated training requirements.
The Aging/Gerontology program focuses on improving health, well-being and independence through educational programs for older adults, their family members, children and youth, and professionals serving older adults and their families.
For additional information contact:
Wenhsing Cheng, Ph.D., Certified Family Life Educator
County Extension Agent-Family & Consumer Sciences
214-904-3050
wcheng@ag.tamu.edu
Family Financial Literacy Program
Extension programming in family economics and resource management assists families and individuals to:
- maintain economic stability and security,
- manage human and material resources, and
- increase consumer proficiency.
For additional information contact:
Wenhsing Cheng, Ph.D., Certified Family Life Educator
County Extension Agent-Family & Consumer Sciences
214-904-3050
wcheng@ag.tamu.edu
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