Living well through Family Consumer Science programs
March has been designated as “Living Well Month” to encourage all Americans to improve their health and well-being by taking advantage of the educational opportunities offered by the local Extension Services.
An initiative of the National Extension Association for Family and Consumer Sciences (NEAFCS), Living Well Month was developed to increase awareness of educational opportunities and resources designed to help individuals, families and educators improve the quality of their lives, become competent consumers and build healthier communities.
Many people may be familiar with the services provided by Extension agents for agriculture or the 4- H program but are unaware of the mission of the Extension Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) program. The Living Well campaign works to educate people about programs and opportunities available to all people in Hot Spring County.
Recent FCS programs in Hot Spring County include The Best Care program to provide verified training for childcare providers; food preservation help; personal finance social media posts and one on one help; Powerful Tools for Caregivers program; and Move with Ease and Get Fit, exercise training programs. Due to COVID many of our faceto-face programs have been put on hold. We hope to be able to have our traditional face-to-face programs again soon. We are conducting some multi-county virtual or Facebook programs. Please call the office if you would like to learn more.
In addition to the community and youth programs conducted by Kristal Draper as County Extension Agent - FCS, she serves as advisor to Hot Spring County Extension Homemakers, a group of 26 volunteers who focus on community service, education, and leadership.
Extension Homemakers are a vital component in FCS programming. They often serve as facilitators for FCS projects and spread the mission of Extension Family and Consumer Sciences throughout the region. Their focus is on education, leadership, and community service.
Family and Consumer Sciences (formerly Home Economics) programming is driven by the needs of each county. County FCS agents utilize local residents in advisory committees to identify specific needs that can be addressed through educational programs.
Healthy families are the cornerstone of healthy communities. Family and Consumer Sciences put non-biased, research- based information to work in people’s lives, helping families find answers for living well, raising kids, eating right, and spending smart.
The Cooperative Extension Service was created by the Smith-Lever Act signed by President Woodrow Wilson on May 8, 1914. For over 100 years the underlying philosophy of the Extension Service has to help people help themselves by taking the university to the people: by providing adults and youth the necessary skills and knowledge to help them achieved the best quality of life possible.
If you would like to know more or have questions about other FCS programs please contact Kristal Draper at the Extension office 1415 Smith Street, Malvern, AR 72104. You may also reach her by phone 501-332-5267 or contact her by email at kdraper@uada. edu. The website is https:// www. uaex. uada. edu/ counties/ hot- spring/ or follow her blog, which is called Healthy Home Style Tips at https:// www. uaex. uada. edu/ counties/ hot- spring/ healthyhome- style- tips- blog/.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.