Family & Consumer Sciences
What is Family & Consumer Sciences (FCS)?
FCS stands for Family and Consumer Sciences Extension. Family and Consumer Sciences Extension programming focuses on improving the quality of individual and family life through education, research, and outreach. This multidisciplinary field focuses on building assets of individuals and families to address the problems faced across the lifespan.
Family and Consumer Sciences Extension operates within an ecological framework with the basic needs of food, clothing, and shelter at its core. The next level emphasizes well-being with a focus on human development, parenting, resource management, nutrition, health, and aesthetics. At the community level, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension prepares individuals for community and economic development and activity.
Professionals in Family and Consumer Sciences Extension provide the tools to help individuals and families to develop resources for strengthening families and building community for an ever changing society.
FCS Initiatives
Family and Consumer Sciences Extension encourages families to make proactive choices to improve individual health and well-being, whether choosing a low fat, nutritious diet, increasing health literacy for chronic disease prevention, or participating in regular physical activity.
Family and Consumer Sciences Extension focuses on individual and family development by promoting effective communication, understanding developmental ages and stages, appreciating individual and cultural differences, developing a strong value system, making wise decisions, and encouraging a supportive environment
Throughout all life stages, it is important to acknowledge and celebrate the changes that accompany aging. Family and Consumer Sciences Extension helps individuals, families, and communities manage the challenges and discover the positive aspects of life transitions and growing older.
In the current economy, financial stability is important. That stability rests with families securing and managing their basic human needs of food, clothing, and shelter. Increasing buying power with wise consumer decision-making, avoiding pitfalls of overextended credit, developing saving habits, and managing financial risks are topics taught by Family and Consumer Sciences Extension.
Through Family and Consumer Sciences Extension, individuals improve safety in their home and decrease their environmental footprint. Community efforts are designed to promote healthy lifestyles throughout the lifespan.
Family and Consumer Sciences Extension helps families gain access to food and to stretch food dollars; communities to decrease hunger; and local food assistance programs to educate recipients on healthy and safe food preparation methods. Family and Consumer Sciences agents are pivotal in training consumers and producers to
maximize local access to farm-to-table food products.
Building the capacity of volunteer leaders is critical for the sustainability of communities that support and strengthen families. Family and Consumer Sciences Extension is committed to engaging, educating, and empowering local citizens to investigate issues, make responsible decisions, and take ownership of solutions.
Rachel L. Hance
Extension Agent, Family and Consumer Science
(270) 726-6323 rachel.hance@uky.edu Logan County Extension Office 255 John Paul Rd., Russellville, Kentucky 42276-1946