Family and Consumer Sciences

Your Intentional Annual Work Plan: Creating an Efficient, Effective, and Adaptable Structure to Meet Your Goals

We are the Keys to Extension. Extension Conference, December 10 – 11, 2024. Columbus, Ohio. Breakout Session 4: Wednesday, December 11th, 11:00am – 11:50am.

Is your calendar a chaotic whirlwind of activity and deadlines? OSU Extension offers some of the most autonomous, exciting, professional interest and community driven-careers. Designing and driving your goals effectively within the annual calendar can be challenging. Being intentional with your work plan can help ensure that your professional goals, community needs, and alignment with your work teams and partners across the state will create success. Learn hands-on tools to design and follow your annual calendar with intention, direction, focus, and clarity for decision making. As important as all of the Extension Keys are, we will focus on the key of efficiency, giving you the key to unlocking the work plan that works for you. #ExtensionKeysEfficiency

Presenters:

Patrice Powers-Barker, Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Lucas County powers-barker.1@osu.edu

Melissa Rupp, Assistant Professor, Family and Consumer Sciences, Fulton County rupp.26@osu.edu

Session Handouts:

Time Management Resources:

For your work plan, recommended supplies:

  • Your data
  • Hard copy, monthly calendar for upcoming year such as https://www.calendar-12.com/printable_calendar/2025 
  • Pens, markers, post-it notes, dry erase board and/or poster sized paper to write on, worksheets, other planning tools
  • Copy of organization(s) mission and vision. For example, our Extension mission and vision but also others such as a professional organization or your personal list of values.
  • Your “reward” – how will you make this important task as enjoyable as possible? Partners? Lunch break at a favorite restaurant?

Just for fun – Patrice shared her poster of the iceberg with a Venn Diagram and all the below the surface examples. This link is NOT a time management example, nor will it help you design your work plan but it’s fun to design your own iceberg and watch it float: https://joshdata.me/iceberger.html

References: 

A&P Promotion Instructions for Extension Educators, specifically General Expectations of each Educator Level

Atlassian. (2022) 7 productivity methods: which one’s just right for you? www.atlassian.com/blog/productivity/7-productivity-methods

Harder, A. & Narine, L. (2020). Personal Health, Role, and Time Management Competency Training Needs of Extension Agents in Florida. The Journal of Extension, 58(1), Article 19. https://doi.org/10.34068/joe.58.01.19

How a top Harvard Business School Professor Approaches Intention Setting. (2017). Thrive Global Staff. https://community.thriveglobal.com/how-a-top-harvard-business-school-professor-approaches-intention-setting/

Lokenauth, A. (n.d.) Productivity Cheat Sheet. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/business-infographics_productivity-cheat-sheet-credits-to-andrew-activity-7176277064835096579-PftG

Nine Proven Time Management Techniques and Tools. University of Saint Augustine for Health Sciences. https://www.usa.edu/blog/time-management-techniques/

Powers-Barker, P. (2021). Now and Later: The paradox of living in the moment and planning for the future. Live Healthy Live Well. Ohio State University Extension. https://livehealthyosu.com/2021/11/15/now-and-later-the-paradox-of-living-in-the-moment-and-planning-for-the-future/

Russell, M. B., Attoh, P. A., Chase, T., Gong, T., Kim, J., & Liggans, G. L. (2019). Burnout and Extension Educators: Where We Are and Implications for Future Research. Journal of Human Sciences and Extension, 7(1), 15. https://doi.org/10.54718/SFPK7165

Russell, M. B., & Liggans, G. L. (2020). Burnout: Examining the Effects of Job Characteristics Across Extension Disciplines. The Journal of Extension, 58(1), Article 20. https://doi.org/10.34068/joe.58.01.20

Homebuyer Education: Individualized financial education during a major life purchase

 

On Friday, November 22, 2024 at 10:20am, Melissa J. Rupp and Patrice Powers-Barker will be presenting Homebuyer Education: Individualized financial education for a major life purchase at this year’s Symposium. AFCPE Symposium 2024 is the intersection of financial education, research, and practice.

Welcome to Ohio! Here’s a recipe for candy Buckeyes

A simple mindful reminder:

PowerPoint: Homebuyer Education_AFCPE_2024

National, State, and Local Partners:

Financial Education Resources and Tools for Homebuyers:

If someone is just starting to consider homeownership and calls the office with questions, the CFPB has a roadmap and information on Buying a house: Tools and resources for homebuyers.

Depending on their personal situation, these resources are used by the educator for discussion on the phone call and shared in the follow-up email with the first-time homebuyer.  

Thank you for visiting the Buckeye State. In our session we talked about the famous Buckeye dessert recipe: https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/dessert/candy/ohio-state-buckeyes.html The only thing Patrice would add to this recipe is to add the toothpicks to the peanut butter balls before putting them in the freezer.

Contact Information:

  • Patrice Powers-Barker, CFLE, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences,  powers-barker.1@osu.edu ​
  • Melissa J. Rupp, AFC®, Assistant Professor, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, rupp.26@osu.edu

 

References:

Housing Counseling through Cooperative Extension (2017). The Bridge: The Office of Housing Counseling Newsletter. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. VOLUME 5, ISSUE 9 MARCH 2017  https://www.hud.gov/sites/documents/OHC_BRIDGE033017.PDF

Loibl, C., Durhan, J., and Moulton, S. (2018). Rich Opportunities from Collaboration with a State Housing Finance Agency. Journal of Extension. v56-7 iw5. https://open.clemson.edu/joe/vol56/iss7/16/

Myhre, M., and Elsasser Watson, N. (2017). Housing Counseling Works. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. https://www.huduser.gov/portal/sites/default/files/pdf/Housing-Counseling-Works.pdf

Peck, L., Moulton, S., Bocian, D., Morris, T., DeMarco, D., US Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Public Development and Research, Abt Associates. (2021). Long-Term Impact Report: The HUD First-Time Homebuyer Education and Counseling Demonstration. https://www.huduser.gov/portal//portal/sites/default/files/pdf/Long-Term-Impact-Report-HUD-First-Time-Homebuyer-Education-Counseling-Demonstration.pdf

Sackett, C. (2016).  The Evidence on Homeownership Education and Counseling. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. https://www.huduser.gov/portal/periodicals/em/spring16/highlight2.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clutter Free Living Lucas County

In spring of 2024, OSU Extension Lucas County is partnering with the Toledo Lucas County Public Library to offer a free, community class on Clutter Free Living.  This same class will be offered at different days/times and locations.

2024 flyer Clutter Free class (March through May)

If you have taken this class, we would love to have your feedback. Click here for a brief online survey.

Handout: (coming soon)

PowerPoint: Lucas County Lucas Clutter Free Living

 

 

 

 

The Value of Professional Organizations

One of the many resources offered by professional organizations include toolkits to promote the good work! In 2023, I created this summary of resources shared online (for free) from national professional organizations related to Family and Consumer Sciences and Family Studies.  There are many other complementary organizations that we can work with and learn from but I started with a short summary of these …

2023 Letter to colleagues in the field: Letter FCS Colleagues (note the date of FCS Educator Day changes each year to land on the Wednesday of FCCLA Week)

Summary of online resources from national organizations: Links National promotional campaigns

Idea Starter to create in-person display to represent FCS: Career Day promote FCS

To colleagues: if you have any questions – or ideas – please contact me (Patrice) at powers-barker.1@osu.edu

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A few Ohio FCS Colleagues at 2023 Healthy Relationship Team Meeting

Promoting Extension, FCS and Family Science

Thank you Dr. Rachel Arocho for the invitation to speak with Utah Valley University Students. If you have any questions, please email Patrice Powers-Barker powers-barker.1@osu.edu

Today’s session was an example of County Extension Educator with Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS). I hope you will continue to consider:

  • ways to utilize Extension as a community partner, possible employer, and/or personal resource
  • the role of Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) within Extension and our local communities
  • how to best use your professional organizations and resources

Cooperative Extension Services www.nifa.usda.gov/about-nifa/how-we-work/extension/cooperative-extension-system (National Institute of Food and Agriculture)

A few links and resources we talked about:

Q&A and links:

Question: Some of the work and topics of Family Life Education sound similar to Social work but there’s definitely an emphasis on education, how do they work together?

Answer: One of my favorite articles to help understand the value and role of different fields of family study and different careers is Reconceptualizing the Domain and Boundaries of Family Life Education. They do not specifically list Social Work, but they compare and contrast FLE (Family Life Education), FT (Family Therapy), and FCM (Family Case Management). Depending on your line of work and your local partners, this article and their concepts could be used to help discuss roles that different organizations and professionals can provide in the community.

It is not unusual for Extension to partner with community sites that are offering additional services and resources to participants. While we focus on education, some families have immediate needs  (like food or transportation, etc.). It makes sense to partner with organizations that can also help with those immediate needs and those sites might have Social Works on staff.

Even for partners who do not have emergency needs, partners are often offering something different than Extension Education. Some typical community partners might include parks, libraries, places of worship, schools, community centers, senior centers, etc. These sites have additional resources and programs for participants that are complemented by Extension Education.

Question: Does Extension do it’s own research, use established research by others, or both?

Answer: Yes, both. There are many opportunities for Extension professionals to do research. This will look different in different program areas and for different job roles. The example I gave in class was about Agriculture and Natural Resources where county Educators are working with local farmers who are all part of a larger research project in partnership with state specialists. In Family and Consumer Sciences I might be working with state and/or field specialists and the research is based on behavior changes. This most often is self-reported by class participants. I might also be evaluating the educational methods. Those are some examples for County Educators. At the regional or state level, especially for roles like field specialist or state specialist, there are often more examples and opportunities for research.

There are often opportunities to partner with others. This might be other state Extension programs, or multi-state teams. Some of my colleagues are part of Dining with Diabetes.  Other times, when educational programming is needed in the community and we don’t have a specific program or curriculum in Ohio Extension, we will look at what other state Extension’s use and other educational resources that are available. The example I shared in class was PAX Tools. They have done the research and offer training to professionals in different fields of work. It is not our Extension research but it is a recognized and valued program.

It was great to hear examples of relatives who currently work with Extension or had in the past!

The emphasis of our education is preventative and therefore future facing, but the history of Family and Consumer Sciences (previously Home Economics) is intriguing. Although sewing and cooking are important skills to have, that isn’t necessarily the entire history or goal of Home Economics. Here’s a short highlight about the science contributions from one of the founders of the field, Ellen Swallow Richards. https://www.acs.org/education/whatischemistry/women-scientists/ellen-h-swallow-richards.html

This 2021 book is very detailed but has given me a much better understanding and appreciation for the dedication and work of the women who came before me in this field, The Secret History of Home Economics: How Trailblazing Women Harnessed the Power of Home and Changed the Way We Live, by Danielle Dreilinger and lists examples of great work by many, many individuals over many decades in the US.

 

 

 

 

Navigating an Ocean of Opportunities and a Call to Action: Using National Resources for Local Benefits

The 2023 NEAFCS (National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences) Annual Session, “Exploring Oceans of Opportunities” is September 11-14, 2023 in Providence, RI.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A team of OSU Extension, FCS colleagues are pleased to present “Navigating an Ocean of Opportunities and a Call to Action: Using National Resources for Local Benefits”.

This list serves as a virtual handout for participants:

Thank you participants for sharing information on What national resources do you use to inform your work?

 

Names and Emails for Presenters – OSU Extension Educators, Family and Consumer Sciences (in order of photo)

References

March is Living Well Month (2023). National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences.  https://www.neafcs.org/living-well-month-campaign ​

McGregor, S. L. T. (2022). Justifying Home Economics: Fight the right war. International Journal of Home Economics, 15(2), 33-45.​

Monk, J. K., Bordere, T., & Benson, J., (2021). Emerging Ideas. Advancing Family Science Through Public Scholarship: Fostering Community Relationships and Engaging in Broader Impacts. Family Relations. 70:1612-1625​

National Partnership to Recruit, Prepare, and Support FCS Educators. (2022). https://www.fcsed.net/home ​

Nickols, S., Ralston, P., Anderson, C., Browne, L., Schroeder, G., Thomas, S., & Wild, P. (2009). The Family and Consumer Sciences Body of Knowledge and the Cultural Kaleidoscope: Research Opportunities and Challenges. Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal, vol. 37, No. 3: 266-283.​

Scheer, S. D. (2021). Introducing the Human Development-EcoLogic Model: A Practical Approach for Outreach and Extension Education Programs. The Journal of Extension, 58(2), Article 29. https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/joe/vol58/iss2/29 

 

 

 

 

 

Applying Cooperative Extension’s National Framework for Health Equity and Well Being at the County Level

NUEL’s North Central Regional Conference will be held June 7-9, 2023 on the beautiful campus of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Recommended reading:

June 8, 2023 Presentation:

Learning the Lingo: What ‘Social Determinants of Health’ Mean for OSU Extension

Megan Arnold (arnold.276@osu.edu) and Patrice Powers-Barker (powers-barker.1@osu.edu)

Issue Briefs:

 

Facing the Future Together: Living and Working Well in a Complex World

 

 

Evolving Conversations: How can professionals continue elevating and connecting the foundational FCS Body of Knowledge and Research?

 

2024 International Federation for Home Economics (IFHE) World Congress, June 23-28, 2024, Galway, Ireland IFHE 2024 | International Federation for Home Economics | Ireland

Poster: Sharing Our Professional Story: Charting Our Future In A Complex World

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Links: to learn more about each topic click on the links below or visit us at fcs.osu.edu

Poster Presenters: Marie Economos, Heather Reister, Margaret Jenkins, Melissa Rupp, Beth Stefura, Susan Zies, Co-authors: Patrice Powers-Barker, Katie Schlagheck, Sandra Slater

References:

  • American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences aafcs.org
  • Heckman Equation. (2022). Quantifying the Life-cycle Benefits of a Prototypical Early Childhood Program https://heckmanequation.org/resource/lifecycle-benefits-influential-early-childhood-program/
  • Lin, J. T., Bumcrot, C., Mottola, G., Valdes, O., Ganem, R., Kieffer, C., Lusardi, A., & Walsh, G. (2022). Financial Capability in the United States: Highlights from the FINRA Foundation National Financial Capability Study (5th Edition). FINRA Investor Education Foundation. www.FINRAFoundation.org/NFCSReport2021
  • National Council on Family Relations family.science 
  • Nickols, S., Ralston, P., Anderson, C., Browne, L., Schroeder, G., Thomas, S., and Wild, P. (2009). The Family and Consumer Sciences Body of Knowledge and the Cultural Kaleidoscope: Research Opportunities and Challenges. Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal, vol. 37, No. 3: 266-283.
  • Scheer, S. D. (2021). Introducing the Human Development-EcoLogic Model: A Practical Approach for Outreach and Extension Education Programs. The Journal of Extension, 58(2), Article 29. https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/joe/vol58/iss2/29

 

 

 

 

 

 

2023 OAFCS, Ohio Affiliate of American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS), Elevate Family and Consumer Sciences Conference, October 19-20, Columbus, OH.

Facing the Future Together: Living and Working Well in a Complex World POSTER

Authors: Sandra Slater, Patrice Powers-Barker, Marie Economos, Margaret Jenkins, Heather Reister, Katie Schlagheck, (OSU Extension Educators, Family and Consumer Sciences)

References Below

 

OSU Extension Annual Conference 2022   Facing the Future Together: Living and Working Well in a Complex World poster 

Poster Description:  We live in a complex world. Family and consumer sciences is the field of study focused on the science and art of living and working well in our complex world. We would like to share that “art and science” with our colleagues. The ESP Extension Professionals’ Creed states: “I believe that education is a lifelong process, and the greatest university is the home.” Not only is education a lifelong process for those we serve in our communities, but we are also fortunate to be lifelong learners. Using the theme of “facing the future together,” we will share real-life examples of learning across the life span and leveraging the work of the family in the home to increase Extension’s impact and empower individuals, families, and communities to thrive.

 

Authors: Patrice Powers-Barker – educator, family and consumer sciences; Marie Economos – educator, family and consumer sciences; Margaret Jenkins – educator, family and consumer sciences; Heather Reister – educator, family and consumer sciences; Katie Schlagheck – educator, family and consumer sciences; Sandra Slater – educator, family and consumer sciences

References:

American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences aafcs.org

Heckman Equation. (2022). Quantifying the Life-cycle Benefits of a Prototypical Early Childhood Program https://heckmanequation.org/resource/lifecycle-benefits-influential-early-childhood-program/

Lin, J. T., Bumcrot, C., Mottola, G., Valdes, O., Ganem, R., Kieffer, C., Lusardi, A., & Walsh, G. (2022). Financial Capability in the United States: Highlights from the FINRA Foundation National Financial Capability Study (5th Edition). FINRA Investor Education Foundation. www.FINRAFoundation.org/NFCSReport2021

National Council on Family Relations family.science 

Nickols, S., Ralston, P., Anderson, C., Browne, L., Schroeder, G., Thomas, S., and Wild, P. (2009). The Family and Consumer Sciences Body of Knowledge and the Cultural Kaleidoscope: Research Opportunities and Challenges. Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal, vol. 37, No. 3: 266-283.

Scheer, S. D. (2021). Introducing the Human Development-EcoLogic Model: A Practical Approach for Outreach and Extension Education Programs. The Journal of Extension, 58(2), Article 29. https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/joe/vol58/iss2/29

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nurturing Environments for Positive Care

November 22, Nurturing Environments for Positive Care by Patrice Powers-Barker, CFLE, (Certified Family Life Educator). This webinar is one lesson in the Connection Cafe: Caregiving Around the Clock, 2022

All References are listed at the end but this list will help direct participants to specific resources:

Safe storage and disposal of medication:

Blogs:

Wellness Wheels:

All References:

Holiday Expense Planning

Starting Today:

  • Choose the best options for this year’s holiday spending
  • Ask your loved ones about their preferences
  • Create a holiday spending plan (or commit to listing your spending this year)
  • Identify your hidden holiday costs
  • Make a plan for next year’s holiday expenses (Jan. Apr. June)

 

To help prioritize, asked loved ones ….

  • If you could only choose one favorite activity for the holidays, what would it be?
  • Is there a food dish, treat, or drink that you would really miss if it weren’t on the holiday menu?
  • Do you have any ideas about simplifying our holiday schedule?
  • Do you have any ideas about reducing our costs?

 

Handout: My Holiday Savings and Spending Plan.  https://americasaves.org/media/dxjflmii/holiday-savings-and-spending-plan.pdf

 

Apps (there are many options, this is just a sample of some of the apps to help organize planning and spending)

  • Giftster
  • Santa’s Bag
  • GiftPlanner
  • Gift List Diary
  • Christmas Gift List

 

 

These food ideas are not to replace favorite holiday dishes but instead to think about easy foods to add to the holiday season – from the larger get together pot-lucks to other times like hosting out-of-town guests or planning meals when the kids are off school for holiday break.

 

Find Your Local County Extension Office: https://extension.osu.edu/lao

 

References:

Rupp, M. (2021). Preparing for Holiday Expenses. Webinar. Ohio State University Extension.

Stefura, B., Scammahorn, R., and Kline, R. (2022). Give the Gift of Financial Fitness This Holiday. Live Healthy Live Well Webinar. Ohio State University Extension.