Families have always been an integral part of the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service.  From food preservation practices and clothing your family, to supervising the Oklahoma Home and Community Education groups the family has always been the center of the programs that Family and Consumer Science Educators offer.

 

Family finances, nutrition and health, parenting, safety and leadership are just a few of the topics that we address daily.  Whether you just have a question or enroll in a series of workshops we will help you get the answers you need to help keep your families healthy mentally, physically, and financially.  Our information is based on the most recent research from Oklahoma State University.

 

In FCS program areas, educators focus on specific impact areas across the state.  These impact areas are based upon input from National Initiatives, Program Advisory Committee recommendations, clients needs, and expertise of the local Educator.  The impact areas in Cherokee County are Family Resilience, Health and Hunger.  Below is a listing of major programming, lesson titles, resources available in each of the impact areas.

 

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FCS Programs

• Hunger

  In the United States, about 49 million people worry about not having enough food and 12 million of the hungry are children (The Cost of Hunger, retrieved 2011).

  • According to a recent USDA annual report, for the 3 year period of 2007‐2009 an average of 15.2% of Oklahoma’s population was classified as food insecure, which is an increase from previous rates of 14.6% (2004‐2006) and 13.1% (1996‐1998). 
  • A Hunger in America 2010 report revealed Food Banks in Oklahoma serve 354,800 people annually, while serving an additional 72,000 Oklahomans each week through non‐emergency food programs. Among people served by Oklahoma Food Banks 40% report having to choose between paying for food or paying their utilities or heating fuel, 31% report having to choose between paying for food and paying for medicine or medical care, and 26% report having to choose between paying for food and paying their rent or mortgage.
  • Among households with children served by Oklahoma Food Banks, 78% are food insecure. The Oklahoma Policy Institute reported that the number of Oklahomans receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program has reached an all‐time high of 619,000 persons as of Jan 2013, which is roughly 16% of Oklahoma’s adult population. Trending data indicate food insecurity & hunger are on the rise across Oklahoma, especially in families with children, with 1 in 5 children at risk of being hungry in Oklahoma.

  Food Preservation Web sites

  • Fresh Preserving
  • Go Presto
  • The National Center for Home Food Preservation

   

• Resilience

  Coordinating Multi-Generational Members and Volunteers? Become more familiar with generational differences, determine which generation you belong , and learn how generational attitudes, biases and perceptions impact volunteer administration and your ability to reach and coordinate volunteers of other generations.

   

  Real Colors

  Heather Winn is certified by The National Curriculum and Training Institute's Real Colors. This program can help individuals recognize their strengths, enhance ability to understand how others process information, and the ability to modify your communication style to connect with others.

• Oklahoma Home and Community Education

  We believe the family should come first in the life of the individual, the community, and the nation.  We will build our homes on love and mutual respect.  We shall endeavor to discover the potential in our children and our neighbor's children and to help them develop their personalities in such a manner that they make a worthwhile contribution to life.

  We shall maintain high standards in our homes through research and education to promote better use of our environment and better living conditions for all.

   

  We shall encourage faith in a God of love who is forever revealed through natural laws and human personalities.

  We shall have faith that strong leaders shall go forth from our homes and communities, carrying with them throughout the universe the ideals which we have proclaimed.

• Co-Parenting for Resilience

  Oklahoma Court Approved Class for Divorcing Parents. This is the place to find information on classes for divorcing parents. You can click on the links below to find more information about the class or simply go directly to the registration link to register for a class.

  Co-Parenting

Financial Education

The way an individual or family spends their money reflects what they think is important. Persons spend money based on their priorities. It is important for families to clearly understand their needs, set money management goals, make informed choices, and improve the quality of their daily life.

 

Programs Available

 

Making Sense of Money Management

The Making Sense of Money Management class is offered to individuals community-wide.  Some individuals may be required to attend this class by the District Attorney.  The cost for this class is $30 per individual.  The course will be offered regardless of participants ability to pay.  Certificates evidencing completion of a personal financial management instruction course. 

 

Dollar Decisions

Learn how to make ends meet in 30 minutes to 2 hours.  This program addresses:  Needs vs. Wants, Tracking Expenses, Financial goal setting, developing a spending and saving plan, ways to increase income, ideas to decrease expenses. 

 

Money Habitudes

(for Teens, College Students, and Adults)

Learn your financial habits in a FUN way.
Use a deck of cards to learn your habits and then ways to meet your budget.

 

Keys to Successful Money Management

Designed for individuals and families with limited resources who desire basic information about managing money and other resources.

 

There are five modules: 

1. You and Your Work
2. You and Your Money
3. You and Your Shopping
4. You and Your Car
5. You and Your House