Click on the image above to open the PDF version of the Union Parish FCS Profile.

Family Resource Management (FRM)
Financial literacy classes are taught to help clients develop money management skills. Classes about reducing debt, budgeting and how to check and improve personal credit histories are taught quarterly to clients of the regional probation and parole system. Charting Your Course to Home Ownership is taught monthly to assist first time home buyers seeking to qualify for a USDA Rural Development loan. A collaborative effort with the Union Parish Detention Center and Police Jury teaches 100+ hours of re-entry education to inmates. The prisoner re-entry program covers a variety of topics such as money management, job skills, personal development, anger management, parenting, community resources, etc. to prepare them to successfully re-enter society and become a responsible family member or parent and a contributing citizen to their community.

Nutrition and Health
Unhealthy lifestyles and the increase in obesity continue to be a problem for not only adults but also for youth. Nutrition programs are designed to help clientele learn to make better choices related to eating healthy and being active. The Family Nutrition Program (FNP) is presented to limited resource audiences who are eligible to receive SNAP benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Community gardening efforts at Bernice Community Center and Marion Elementary are educating youth and adults about the benefits of a garden such as physical activity, healthier eating habits and stretching the food dollar. The Happy, Healthy Me program is presented to preschoolers and elementary students across the parish and teaches students about the food groups of MyPyramid.

Family and Child Development
The Parents Preparing For Success program helps low-income families acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for positive parenting. Educators provide programs about parenting, building family strengths and money management. Clients referred from the Department of Children and Family Services are provided 18 hours of classes through the Parents Preparing for Success Program.

Teaching Methods:

• Series of classes
• Demonstrations and workshops
• Guest presentations
• Health fairs
• Quarterly newsletters
• News articles
• eXtension: www.extension.org
• Volunteer development
• Interactive learning sessions
• Educational publications
• Life After 50 channel on website
• Social media
• Nutrition Connections Coalition
• Educational interactive exhibits: Germ Cave and Body Walk

LSU AgCenter website: www.lsuagcenter.com


Parish Facts

According to County Health Rankings, Union Parish is ranked 20th out of 64 parishes in overall health outcomes which includes mortality and morbidity rates. In regards to adult health factors, approximately 23 percent smoke, 32 percent are obese and 34 percent are uninsured. Thus, leading to a ranking of 46th out of 64 parishes.

In Union Parish, 14.3 percent of the families live below the poverty level with a median family income of around $36,035 and 60 percent of the grandparents who have grandchildren under the age of 18 living in their household are legal guardians of those children. Also, 56.6 percent of individuals over the age of 16 are in the labor force.

• Population - 22,692
• Persons under 18 years old - 24.2 percent
• Persons 65 years old and over - 16.8 percent
• Median household income - $36,035
• Persons below poverty - 18.8 percent

Programming Outcomes

Family Resource Management

• Clientele seek financial stability and security by reducing debt and improving money management skills.
• Individuals improve financial stability by seeking or obtaining employment.
• Clientele adopt best practices for building, retrofitting or maintaining sustainable homes.

Nutrition and Health

• Participants learn the importance of establishing healthy eating and physical activity
  habits.
• Individuals and families learn and practice food safety practices.
• Participants learn and practice budgeting food dollars.
• Individuals gain knowledge about and adopt practices to prevent chronic diseases.
• Participants gain knowledge about and adopt healthy weight management practices.

Family and Child Development

• Early childhood educators learn importance of and incorporate developmentally appropriate experiences for children.
• Early childhood educators provide high quality care for children and youth.
• Family members learn and utilize skills to improve family resiliency.
• Parents and guardians learn and implement positive parenting practices.