Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Extension released its annual report detailing staff expansion, an increased social media presence, a podcast, and a fitness app launch in its effort to build strong Kentucky families. FCS welcomed eight new county agents; launched Facebook and Instagram pages; created the podcast Talking FACS, a weekly show about families, food, finance, and fitness; and rolled out the FitBlue KY app, which includes fitness and nutrition trackers among other things.
The report also highlighted a new program that will equip agents with the means to improve Kentuckians’ soft skills to enhance their employability. “Positive Employability” will increase a job seeker’s intangible skills like being a team player, time management, and positive attitude. The program emphasizes Ten Soft Skills for Success, Successful Communications, and Creating a Successful Business Image. The curriculum is tailored to be flexible so that local FCS agents can determine the number of sessions that will meet county needs.
Extension also reported on Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud, a project to share healthy, great tasting recipes that use Kentucky Proud products. There are more than 100 recipes at http://fcs-hes.ca.uky.edu/content/plate-it-kentucky-proud.
Throughout 2018, FCS Extension offered more than 54,000 activities, educated more than 1.1 million Kentuckians, and secured more than $13 million in grant funds. The full FCS Extension annual report can be found at https://fcs-hes.ca.uky.edu/sites/fcs-hes.ca.uky.edu/files/2019-fcs-annual-report-web.pdf.
Individual county profiles also reported on progress in helping families find success through improving parenting skills. In 2018, FCS Extension provided parenting classes to help grandparents or other relatives who might be raising children. Agents also focused on children affected by abuse or bullying, and worked to make sure young children were ready for kindergarten.
The county profiles containing data about families in each can be found at https://fcs-hes.ca.uky.edu/content/BSF.