Family and Consumer Sciences Program Highlights

Individuals and families today deal with multiple issues related to raising children, eating right and spending smart in order to live well. Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) programming focuses on these three issues by providing educational programs for the residents of West Carroll Parish.

Nutrition and Health

Families First - Nutrition Education and Wellness System

FF-NEWS is a nutrition education program that promotes healthier living by preparing healthier meals. Utilizing partnerships with Head Start, Health Unit, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Council on Aging, Northeast Children's Health Coalition, and Macon Economic Opportunity, diverse clients receive information on selecting and preparing meals that include foods of their culture while improving the health of families. FF-NEWS also focuses on the communities’ nutritional health as a whole by participating in health fairs, Food for Seniors Distribution, Commodities, and other community events. Currently the program has a total of 50 SNAP participants including Hispanic clients.

Family and Child Development

Parents Preparing for Success Program

PPSP is a six-part series of classes provided for pregnant women or parents of children under the age of 12 months participating in the Department of Children and Family Services program. PPSP is a joint effort of Family Development and Family Resource Management faculties at the LSU AgCenter and the Southern University Research and Extension Center. PPSP is offered at the West Carroll AgCenter as a 3-hour 6-week series consisting of parenting and financial management education. Other parenting classes are provided as needed including court-ordered parents and foster parents.

Family Resource Management / Leadership

Farm Safety School Enrichment Program

Since 86.4 percent of West Carroll’s land is in agriculture production (Census of Agriculture), everyone living in West Carroll either lives on or may visit someone who lives on a farm. To prevent loss of life, limb or family income due to farm/home accidents, youth must differentiate between safe and unsafe practices and identify common safety hazards. The West Carroll Progressive Agriculture Safety Day is a school enrichment program for all 5th grade youth with interactive education on a variety of safety subjects. Volunteers from the parish and surrounding area coordinate the program, conduct safety sessions, provide funding and supervise youth.

Teaching Methods

· Demonstrations and workshops

· Educational exhibits: Germ Cave and Body Walk

· eXtension: www.extension.com

· Guest presentations

· Health fairs

· Home visits

· Living Well quarterly newsletter

· Publications

· School enrichment programs

· Series of classes

· Smart Choices monthly newsletter

· Website: www.lsuagcenter.com

Expanding Our Efforts: Volunteers

· Community herb garden developed and maintained by Master Gardeners.

· 65 adult and youth volunteers helped conduct Farm Safety Day for 5th graders.

Parish Facts

According to County Health Rankings, West Carroll Parish is ranked 9 out of 64 parishes in overall health outcomes which includes a mortality (how long you live) ranking of 7 and morbidity (how healthy people feel) ranking of 21. In regards to adult health factors, approximately 27 percent smoke, 30 percent are obese and 25 percent are uninsured, thus, leading to an overall health factor ranking of 60th out of 64 parishes.

Population -- 11,329

Persons under 18 years of age -- 24 percent

Persons over age 65 -- 16.8 percent

Median household income -- $30,922

Persons living below poverty -- 23.7 percent

Programming Outcomes

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

· Family members learn and utilize skills to improve family resiliency.

· Parents/guardian learn and implement positive parenting practices.

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.