Extension
Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Extension is the primary outreach arm of the School of Human Environmental Sciences. FCS Extension programs are developed and coordinated through Extension faculty in each of the school’s three academic departments and a network of Extension specialists, associates and support staff with statewide appointments. County-based programs are implemented through one or more Extension Agents for Family and Consumer Sciences in each county. Additionally, grant-funded county program assistants implement nutrition education programs for limited-resource clientele and family development programs for children, youth and families.
FCS Extension programming is focused under seven primary initiatives. Teams of county FCS agents, Extension faculty and state staff provide leadership for each initiative.
Family Impact Seminars
Family Impact Seminars (FIS) provided state policymakers with timely evidence-based information on a variety of family issues. The seminars were created to increase the use of research in public policy decisions, and to encourage legislators and policymakers to consider the impact their decisions have on families.
The seminars were initiated in the 1970s. The Kentucky Family Impact Seminars were coordinated through the University of Kentucky School of Human Environmental Sciences and University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service.
The seminars targeted state policymakers, including legislators, legislative aides, governor’s office staff, legislative service agency staff and agency representatives. The seminars typically included two or three presentations given by a panel of premier researchers, program directors and policy analysts. The presentations and discussion sessions provided a neutral, nonpartisan setting outside the political environment for policymakers to discuss issues and seek common ground. Each seminar was accompanied by a briefing report that summarized high-quality research on the topic and drew implications for policy.
Learn More at the Policy Institute for Family Impact Seminars
