The Scott County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) secured an FCS Mini Grant of approximately $2,000.00. The objectives of the grant included the Scott County FCS Agent learning and developing skills in innovative programs across FCS disciplines to implement in Scott County and for the FCS Agent to become trained in programs that promote multi–dispensary collaboration. The grant also provided funds for educational experiences related to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed.) These goals were accomplished through participation and leadership in the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) and the Kentucky Affiliate of AAFCS.

By attending professional development opportunities in AAFCS the FCS Agent gained knowledge about innovative and timely programs in Kentucky and from across the nation. As an Agent, it is important to stay up-to-date on research based programs and information to insure county programs are meaningful and reliable. The FCS Agent was able to learn from other FCS professionals with different experiences and diverse backgrounds.  It is important to learn from and with those who have different perspectives and experiences not only to grow as a professional, but to better understand different audiences in a new way to better serve all people.   

The Scott County FCS Agent has already begun to implement programs and educational activities she learned from AAFCS in Scott County Extension programs. An example of this being the Scott County Extension sciences, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) day camps. During the three-day, day camp the FCS Agent implemented activities she learned at the AAFCS professional development conference including “Heads Up, MyPlate,” “Hidden BAC,” and demonstration techniques for teaching best practices in the kitchen (see photos below).

The FCS Agent also collaborated with one of the Scott County 4-H Agents and the Scott County 4-H Program Assistant to precent the day camp programs. These collaborations put into practice team building, communication, and multi-disciplinary collaboration skills developed through professional development workshops.

Additionally, the FCS Agent has been in contact with one of in-depth workshop presenters (Clean the World) from the AAFCS professional development conference, planning for programs that address the needs of those who are people without housing in Scott County. The initial collaborative program will consist of building hygiene kits and collecting supplies for the people without housing population and has the goal of developing into a policy, systems, and environment change with more resources being provided to those without housing in Scott County.

These initial and potential long term outcomes are building a dynamic, meaningful, and community oriented FCS Extension program in Scott County.