Tagged With "prairie view a&m"
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ICYMI: 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee Held Second Meeting
Rockville, Md. – ICYMI: Last week, on May 10, the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee convened in person for its second official meeting. The Committee heard opening remarks from U.S. Public Health Service Rear Admiral (RDML) Paul Reed, Director of HHS’ Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, who thanked the Committee for their service and acknowledged how their work helps promote health, well-being, and resilience through nutrition. RDML Reed also applauded the Committee’s...
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Spotlight on Youth Mental Well-Being in Military Families
Edited by: Anna Peterson Written by: Karen Shirer, Ph.D. The popular media continues to draw attention to the national mental well-being crisis among children and youth, including those in military families. The CBS television station affiliate in Minnesota, WCCO-4, recently aired a three-part series on the pandemic’s impact on youth mental health . The reporter, Esme Murphy, interviewed the following national experts on youth development regarding the crisis: Doctor Sarah Jerstad, the...
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Draft Protocols of the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee Now Online at DietaryGuidelines.gov
Posted on June 2, 2023 by HHS/ODPHP The 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee recently held its second meeting, where members discussed their list of prioritized questions that focus on the relationship of diet and health across the lifespan. As part of the discussions, the Committee presented draft protocols for the majority of the scientific questions. The draft protocols discussed at the meeting are now online. A protocol – or plan – is developed for questions answered using...
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Virtual Summer School - Registration Now Open!
The joint committee of the NAEPSDP Professional Development Committee and the Southern Region Program Leadership Network Program and Staff Development Committee is pleased to announce the 2023 Virtual Summer School Webinar Series ! Please join us for a series of one-hour webinars to explore... Fostering Health and Well-Being Across Extension. Session topics include: July 10 -- Institutional Commitment to Health and Well-Being July 11 -- Cultivating Employee Health and Well-Being July 12 --...
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Social Determinants of Health for Military Families in Transition
By: Jenny Rea, Ph.D. , Edited by Anna Peterson Arizona is home to 500,000+ service members, veterans, and their families. I recently had the opportunity to attend the Arizona Coalition for Military Families’ 13th Annual Statewide Symposium in Phoenix, Arizona. This annual event is Arizona’s only conference that brings together the military, government, and community. The symposium focuses on strengthening services and support for Arizona’s military-connected population. As Extension...
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Serving with Pride: The History and Impact of LGBTQ+ Military Service Members
By Dr. Tiffany Lange, Psy.D. (she/her/hers) LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, and related identities) people have existed throughout history (e.g., two-spirit in Native American cultures) and are present in every aspect of society – they are the people we know, the people we love, and even the people who serve in our military. In the United States (U.S.), less than 1% of the population volunteer to serve in the armed forces and there are often assumptions about...
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How Practicing Connection Can Cultivate Food Security Collaborations
Like many of the issues that impact our families and communities, food security is complex. There are multiple factors that affect the issue, including economic, social, environmental and political factors. Interrelated issues like poverty, healthcare, and climate change make food security even more complex. Complex issues can only be addressed from multiple perspectives and by a wide range of people and organizations. Obach and their collaborators write, “Building networks allows for...
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Strategies to “Liven Up” Financial Education Classes
Extension educators are always looking for ways to increase participation and engagement in their financial education classes. Here are a dozen interactive teaching methods to consider: Case Study Analyses, Current Events, Financial Calculator Debriefs, Gallery Walks, Documentary Debriefs, Guest Speakers, and more!
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Three Ways Service Providers Can Expand Food Security in Their Communities
In 2021, 33.8 million people living in the United States were food insecure (Weeks et al, 2023). Food security is defined by the USDA as, “Access at all times to enough food for an active, healthy life for all household members” (OPA). Frequent relocations, barriers to spousal employment, and the Basic Allowance for Housing being factored into SNAP eligibility compounds the issue of food security for military families. As a result, one in four service members currently experience food...
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Finding Hope and Confidence by Practicing Connection
Professionals, like you, can make a difference through connection and collaboration. The Practicing Connection initiative is a place for ideas, inspiration, and information on building skills and creating connections that will help support the well-being of military and civilian families. It’s an exploration of the practices that empower us to work together to help each other, our families, and our communities improve our resilience and readiness. So, why should you join Practicing...
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Beyond the Binary: Understanding and Affirming LGBTQ+ Continuums of Identity
By Dr. Tiffany Lange, Psy.D. (she/her/hers) In a society where conformity is expected and non-conformity must be “explained”, there are many misperceptions about the LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, and related identities) community. Biology and nature are not binary categories, our world is full of spectrums. Yet, society often oversimplifies people and identities into binary categories: we’re either “this” or “that.” Known as social categorization, this...
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Breaking the Cycle of Domestic Violence in Your Community: Using the Heart & Hope Program to Build Resilient Families
Domestic violence is a widespread issue that affects families in all communities. Addressing this problem requires a collaborative effort from both communities and institutions. In a recent Program Centerstage webinar , the spotlight was on the University of Nevada's Heart & Hope program, which aims to create resilient families and break the cycle of domestic violence in local communities. Hosted by program leaders, Julie Woodbury and Jill Baker-Tingey Jill and Julie from the University...
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What is ExtensionBot?
This work is supported by funding from a cooperative agreement with USDA-NIFA and in partnership with Oklahoma State University, New Technologies for Ag Extension, grant no 2020-41595-30123. ExtensionBot is a chatbot that is built and deployed by the Extension Foundation. We are working closely with Eduworks Corporation on the development and deployment of the technology. ExtensionBot is backed by an LLM (Large Language Model) that is trained exclusively on data provided by Cooperative...
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Normalizing the Conversation: Mental Health
By: Sara Croymans adapted by Anna Peterson Part 1 of this blog post introduced the topic of military mental health and suicide and provided a variety of resources. To learn more, go back and read the blog post here . Many Service members and veterans with mental health needs are not seeking treatment for mental health care. One study found that more than 60% of veterans of the Iraq war that screened positive for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), generalized anxiety, or depression did...
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Promoting Physical, Mental, and Emotional Wellness for Military Families
Written by: Jason Jowers, MS, MFT The end of another summer is upon us. Families have geared up for back-to-school season and that means reestablishing routines that will last through the upcoming school year. With families getting back into the swing of things, it’s important to remember to prioritize self-care and wellness practices so as not to get overwhelmed with a jam-packed schedule. Incorporating health and wellness practices can help reduce the stress that military families...
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The #1 clue of dysfunction
In some leadership sessions recently we asked the participants what they were experiencing that might be holding back their teams. Without much hesitation, they said there was something keeping them stuck. Keeping them from collaborating the way they hoped. It's probably not what you expect. They said it was not asking for help . Seriously? Yes! This one thing reveals a number of things that work against effective collaboration. Here are two... Fear exists Poor psychological safety Fear is...
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Dangers of Leaving Money in Payment Apps
Imagine you go to dinner with a group of friends and the waiter isn’t able to split the bill. You pay for the meal and your friends quickly transfer their portion via a payment app to you and call it even. You leave the money in the app for the next time you need it. You can probably think of other ways that you and your clients routinely use payment apps in every day exchanges of goods and services. These types of peer-to-peer transactions are
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WCMER Deep Dive Fellows Want to Hear from You!
WCMER Deep Dive Fellows are collecting data to inform the development of an Urban Extension Toolkit focusing on the skillsets and competencies of Extension professionals. Two surveys (for Extension professionals and Extension administrators) aim to investigate the essential skills that Extension professionals require to effectively work across the urban-rural continuum and identify the obstacles they encounter in this process. The surveys are being distributed to Extension professionals and...
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Job Opening: Assistant Professor Position Extension Specialist – Physical Activity and Mental Health at Utah State University
Position Summary The Department of Kinesiology and Health Science at Utah State University (USU) seeks an Assistant Professor to serve as an Extension Specialist. The position will be housed on the USU Logan Campus and includes statewide responsibilities. This 12-month, tenure-track, full-time benefited position begins July 1, 2024. We seek applicants with research and teaching expertise in physical activity and mental health . Scientists with an academic background in kinesiology, public...
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WCMER Deep Dive Survey - One Week Left!
WCMER Deep Dive Fellows want to hear from you! The data collected will help inform the development of an Urban Extension Toolkit focusing on the skillsets and competencies of Extension professionals. Two surveys (for Extension professionals and Extension administrators) aim to investigate the essential skills that Extension professionals require to effectively work across the urban-rural continuum and identify the obstacles they encounter in this process. The surveys are being distributed to...
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ICYMI: 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee Held Third Meeting, Heard Public Oral Comments
Posted on September 20, 2023 by ODPHP Rockville, Md. – ICYMI: Last week, on September 12 and 13, the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee convened in person for its third official meeting. The meeting was livestreamed. On the first day of the meeting, the Committee heard oral comments from 83 members of the public. As part of the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Agriculture’s (USDA) ongoing efforts to increase transparency, equity, and public engagement in the Dietary...
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Taking Care of Mental Health: The Significance of National Suicide Awareness Month
Written by: Jason Jowers, MS, MFT September is more than just the transition from summer to fall; it’s also a time when we come together to raise awareness about an issue that affects millions of people worldwide—suicide. National Suicide Awareness Month is a crucial period during which we focus on spreading hope, support, and resources to help those in need. We wanted to fully explore the significance of this month, the objectives of many suicide prevention organizations, and how you can...
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Recording and Resources: Catch Up on the NAPPC Webinar - Drilling Down on EPA Regulations: What Is the Latest Buzz on Pesticides and Bees?
Explore EPA Regulations on Pesticides and Bees in this webinar. Follow a pesticide's journey from risk assessment to the marketplace, led by host Andony Melathopoulos. Gain insights into the EPA's historical and current approaches, understanding their role in safeguarding pollinators. Since 2010, the EPA has focused on assessing pesticide risks to bees. The key question: Is the EPA effectively protecting bees? This webinar delves into this topic, exploring its impact on our environment and...
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Illinois Extension Youth Development Educator position opening - closes November 9
Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development – Unit 2 The University of Illinois Extension is seeking an individual to provide educational leadership for program delivery in Unit 2 (Boone, DeKalb, and Ogle Counties). Master’s degree related to subject matter emphasis required. To view complete job description and apply, visit https://go.illinois.edu/1020816 . Closing date is November 9, 2023 . The U of I is an EEO Employer/Vet/Disabled http://go.illinois.edu/EEO that participates in the federal...
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Updated Draft Protocols of the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee Now Available on DietaryGuidelines.gov Posted on October 16, 2023 by ODPHP
The 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee recently held its third meeting, where members discussed their list of prioritized questions that focus on the relationship of diet and health across the lifespan. As part of the discussions, the Committee presented new draft protocols for many of the scientific questions. The draft protocols discussed at the meeting are now online. A protocol – or plan – is developed for questions answered using systematic review or food pattern modeling...
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New Extension Foundation Publication: Pumpkin Smash Playbook
The Extension Foundation has released a new title. “Pumpkin Smash Playbook” shares how the University of Illinois Extension and community partners organize and host Pumpkin Smashes, fun community events that collect pumpkins for composting. The team hosted its first Pumpkin Smash in 2019. Since then, the organization has refined the process of planning, funding, and running Smashes. This playbook details how to organize a similar event in your community. Smashes teach people about the...
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Illinois Extension is Seeking a Watershed Outreach Associate
The University of Illinois Extension is seeking an individual to deliver research-based educational programs, developed in cooperation with University personnel and campus-based faculty with an emphasis on watershed management in or near one of the phosphorus-priority watersheds
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Emotional Spending 101
Unlike impulsive buying, emotional spending is frequently heightened by stress, grief, or moments of happiness or sadness. Regardless of these triggers, they can impact your finances negatively. For example, you shop to make yourself feel better after a bad day at work. As a result, compulsive shopping and spending stems from an impulse disorder habit that can be addictive for many. The relationship between money and happiness is now seen as complete. Aknin, Wiwad, and Hannibal (2018)...
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National Bullying Prevention Month: What Parents and Providers Can Do To Combat Bullying
Written by: Jason Jowers, MS, MFT, Virginia Tech Every October, communities across the United States come together to observe National Bullying Prevention Month. Bullying is a widespread problem in the U.S. that affects millions of children, adolescents, and even adults. Bullying behavior is very common. According to the CDC, about 1 in 5 high school students reported being bullied on school property and 1 in 6 high schoolers reported being bullied electronically in the last year (CDC,...
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Moving the Needle on Racial Equity in Extension, Part 3 of 3
The 1862 land grant institutions face a large task to move beyond their troubled legacy and meet the needs of contemporary people of color. To address racial inequities in extension, we embarked on educational and institutional change activities. We share three key lessons: the need to take time for building relationships of trust, to tailor individual communication about diversity, equity, and inclusion work for different colleagues, and to re-think the sources of expertise in extension work.
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Extension Foundation Releases New NTAE Titles
The Extension Foundation has added five new titles to its publications library. The brief publications - written as magazine-style feature stories - share project work funded through the New Technologies for Ag Extension (NTAE) program , a cooperative agreement between USDA NIFA, Oklahoma State University, and the Extension Foundation. NATE's goal is to incubate, accelerate, and expand promising work that will increase the impact of the Cooperative Extension System (CES) in the communities...
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How to Support Attachment and Child Well-Being, Even in Times of Change and Transition
Written by Summer Jones, ZERO TO THREE Between birth and age 3, a child’s brain develops one million neural connections per second (Center on the Developing Child, 2007). These connections are built through repeated experiences with their caregivers. Babies are born wired for connection, instinctively drawing responses from their caregivers that help strengthen the bond between them (Sullivan et al., 2011). The building of this bond, or attachment, is a two-way street between baby and their...
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2023 Extension Foundation Professional Development Needs Assessment Report
This work was supported through funding from USDA-NIFA, New Technologies for Ag Extension , grant number 2020-41595-30123 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this report are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The purpose of the study was to identify professional development needs for Extension professionals at 1862, 1890, and 1994...
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Navigating Postpartum Challenges in Military Families: Understanding the Intersection of Race, Ethnicity, and Mental Health
Written by: Jennifer Novak, ZERO TO THREE The period following childbirth can be challenging for many new mothers, particularly within military families. Postpartum mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs), encompassing conditions like postpartum depression (PPD), postpartum anxiety (PPA), and postpartum obsessive-compulsive disorder, often pose significant mental health hurdles during this vulnerable time for families. When factoring in race and ethnicity within military communities, these...
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Cyberbullying Safety for Kids and Teens
Written by: Jason Jowers, MS, MFT There are so many ways for kids and teens to connect online. It’s more than just social media platforms; there are chatrooms, instant and direct messaging apps, and online video games. For military families, these virtual spaces are great ways for kids and teens to stay connected to a deployed parent or service member, as well as ways to stay connected with long-distance friends. However, these online areas share the hazards of being places where bullying...
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EXCITE Adult Vaccination Project
The Virginia Cooperative Extension EXCITE Team and the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) conducted a symposium on November 3rd, 2023 to discuss the EXCITE project funded through CDC and ways that Virginia Cooperative Extension Agents could get involved in vaccine education! This session introduced our vaccine ambassadors and their roles in their respective localities, provided background on adult vaccinations and the current vaccination schedule, and discussed approaches to communicating...
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Empower Your Team with the Healthy Teams Handbook: Build and Maintain High-Performing Collaborations
Take your teamwork to the next level with the Healthy Teams Handbook ! This guide, developed by Extension Foundation’s leadership development specialist Karl Bradley, offers practical strategies and insights to build and maintain high-performing collaborative teams. Originally crafted to support New Technologies for Ag Extension (NTAE) project teams, this updated handbook is now available to help all Extension professionals. Unlock the Secrets of Success The Healthy Teams Handbook is...
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Celebrating Black History in Agriculture & Extension: Stories from the Field
For Black History Month, we're shining a light on the achievements of Black leaders who have shaped Extension work in food, farming, and health. Dive into our curated collection of resources and learn more about their valuable contributions to agriculture, Extension and below. Stories from Cooperative Extension In honor of Black History month, Cornell Cooperative Extension shares the contributions of Black individuals who helped to set the standards for Cooperative Extension. Tuskegee...
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Understanding the Cost of Convenience
Our society moves at a fast pace. Most any purchase is available at the push of a button, making delayed gratification a concept of the past. Do you want groceries or merchandise now? No problem. Are you hungry, but don’t have time to get takeout? Don’t worry, it can be conveniently delivered. The question is… what does all this convenience really cost?
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How Innovative Leadership Keeps Cooperative Extension Strong: An Interview with Karl Bradley
Introduction In a rapidly changing world, innovative leadership is critical for Cooperative Extension's success. Leadership development equips Extension professionals with the skills to navigate complex issues, build collaborative teams, consistently adapt, and create programs to meet emerging needs. This ensures Cooperative Extension remains a relevant and impactful force. The Extension Foundation actively supports this goal through the expertise of Karl Bradley, its Leadership and Team...
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Unearthing Financial Trauma
Transitioning into 2024 marked a new year. Many of us saw the new year as an opportunity to start fresh, but financial hardships and losses can have a lasting impact on our mental health. This type of impact leads to unforeseen trauma. Often, we make resolutions to hit the ground running in the new year, but old habits die hard, mainly when these habits are deeply rooted in our psyche. Let us be realistic: We all plan to go to the gym on January first; we even go shopping over the holiday...
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Recruiting: Assistant Professors in Urban Forestry at Oregon State University
The Oregon State University Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society in the College of Forestry is recruiting 2 full-time (1.0 FTE), 12-month, Assistant Professors of Practice in Urban Forestry. Forests in urban areas provide valuable ecosystem services. The expansion of urban areas coupled with growing recognition of the importance of forests, trees, and green infrastructure in these regions makes more critical than ever urban foresters who can help plan and maintain sustainable and...
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2024 NACDEP Conference
Join us in person for the 2024 NACDEP Annual Conference on June 17-20, 2024, in Houston, TX. Hosted by Prairie View A&M University Extension in collaboration with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, this conference offers a unique opportunity for community development extension professionals to collaborate, grow professionally, and network. Held in downtown Houston at the prestigious Marriott Marquis-Houston, TX , attendees can expect engaging sessions and discussions focused on leveraging...
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University of Maryland Extension Seeks Residential Landscape Ecologist
The University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR) is a leading Land-Grant institution providing teaching, research, and Extension programs through University of Maryland Extension (UME) to a diverse clientele in the State of Maryland and beyond. UME seeking to fill a 12-month, tenure-track faculty position in Residential Landscape Ecology. This position will play a key role in connecting our university’s expertise in sustainable landscaping and landscape-scale...
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Celebrating Culture & Pollinators: Animated Series Honors Native Languages, Provides Science Education
Pollinators like bees, bats, and butterflies are vital for human health because they transfer pollen between plants, allowing many fruits, vegetables, and nuts that nourish us to grow and reproduce. Without these busy pollinators, our diets would be less diverse and lack essential vitamins and minerals found in pollinator-dependent crops. Educating youth about the importance of pollinators is critical. It empowers them to become stewards of these vital creatures, ensuring a healthy future...
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2024 National Agritourism Survey Seeking Input From Farms That Welcome Visitors
Extension professionals who work with agritourism operators: Please consider helping us spread the word about a national survey! The survey is open to any agricultural or aquacultural operations that welcome visitors, and will remain open until April 30, 2024.
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New Research Publication Explores Technology Acceptance and CRM Technologies in Extension
The Extension Foundation released a new research publication titled " A Qualitative Investigation of the Technology Acceptance Model in the U.S. Cooperative Extension Service on the Adoption of Customer Relationship Management Systems ." Authored by Dr. Aaron Weibe, Extension Foundation's communication and engagement manager for his recently awarded PhD, the study delves into the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and its role in Extension adopting Customer Relationship Management (CRM)...
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Understanding Financial Stress and Mental Health for Service Members
Inflation continues to be a global economic challenge, impacting everything from food costs to housing affordability. Explore the difference between objective and subjective financial stress, identify questions to ask your clients, and connect with additional learning opportunities, including an on-demand webinar to learn more.
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Understanding and Addressing Problematic Sexual Behaviors among Children
Written by: Jason Jowers, MS, MFT Cases involving problematic sexual behaviors (PSBs) among children can be challenging for clinicians and non-clinicians to navigate. Clinicians are often working with the family or families involved, including parents and caregivers, but may also need to work with non-clinicians within the school systems the children are in. Addressing problematic sexual behaviors among children also has an added layer when cases take place or involve Department of Defense...