Tuesday_September

Make advocating for Family and Consumer Sciences easier than ever! Our Tell'em Tuesday Social Media Campaign provides ready-to-use graphics and captions that you can simply copy, paste, and share to help raise awareness of the impact of FCS. 

SEPTEMBER: FCS Matters (Providing Education & Training)

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September 1 Message

 Adulting is a Skill—and It Can Be Taught

“Adulting” isn’t something people magically know how to do—it’s a set of life skills that can be learned, practiced, and strengthened over time. Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS)  classes teach these skills.

Programs like the Grown Up U Podcast highlight just how important research-based life skills education is for helping young people navigate real-world responsibilities—from budgeting and taxes to relationships, health, and time management.

📊 Why adulting skills matter:

The Grown Up U program focuses on helping young adults successfully navigate the decisions and challenges of independent living, using evidence-based guidance from Family and Consumer Sciences professionals.

💡 Key skills that support successful adulting:

  • 💵 Financial literacy (budgeting, banking, paying bills)

  • 🕒 Time management and goal setting

  • 🧠 Mental health and stress management

  • 🏠 Independent living skills (cleaning, food safety, housing)

  • 🤝 Communication and relationship skills

✨ The Takeaway: Adulting isn’t “common sense”—it’s learned. Family and Consumer Sciences intentionally teach life skills, we empower young people to succeed in college, careers, and everyday life.

 
#FamilyConsumerSciences, #FCSWorks, #ACTE, #FCCLA, #FCS, #AAFCS, #FCSSuccess, #ElevateFCS, #4HBeyondReady, #FCSEdMatters 

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September 8 Message

 Why Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) & Career and Technical Education (CTE) Programs Matter

Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) and all Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs are more than electives—they are powerful, evidence-based pathways to student success.

📊 The research is clear: Students who participate in CTE programs demonstrate higher academic achievement, stronger employability skills, and increased likelihood of employment after high school.

🎓 They keep students engaged and graduating: CTE concentrators have graduation rates around 96%—significantly higher than the national average, showing the impact of relevant, hands-on learning.

💼 They prepare students for real careers: Employers report that students with CTE experience bring valuable, job-ready skills, and many industries actively seek these graduates 

🧠 They build essential life and workforce skills: FCS programs develop:

  • Problem-solving and critical thinking

  • Financial literacy and decision-making

  • Communication and collaboration

  • Health, nutrition, and resource management

These skills support both career readiness and everyday life success.

🚀 They support multiple pathways to success: CTE students are more likely to pursue postsecondary education—especially in high-demand, skills-based careers—while also having the option for immediate employment or entrepreneurship. 

✨ The Takeaway: Family and Consumer Sciences and all CTE programs connect education to real life. They don’t just prepare students for tests—they prepare them for careers, independence, and lifelong success.

#FamilyConsumerSciences, #FCSWorks, #ACTE, #FCCLA, #FCS, #AAFCS, #FCSSuccess, #ElevateFCS, #4HBeyondReady, #FCSEdMatters 

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September 15 Message

 🎓 Why Credentialing Matters: Preparing Students for Real-World Success Through Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS)

Credentials aren’t just certificates—they’re powerful, evidence-based tools that validate skills, build confidence, and open doors. 

Programs like AAFCS (American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences) Pre-PAC (Pre-Professional Assessment and Certification) provide industry-recognized, standards-based credentials designed to measure what students know and can do in real-world settings.

📊 Why credentialing makes a difference:

✅ Validates skills and competencies: Students receive certification that documents their knowledge and abilities—giving them a competitive edge in the workforce.

💼 Improves employability: Credentialing helps employers identify candidates with verified, job-ready skills, making students more attractive hires.

🎓 Supports college and career pathways: Students may gain advantages like articulated credit or credit-by-exam, helping them transition more smoothly into postsecondary education.

📈 Strengthens education programs: Credentialing systems provide data that helps educators evaluate student learning, meet accountability standards, and continuously improve instruction.

🏢 Meets workforce and industry needs: Employers can use credentials as a quality-control and human-resources tool to ensure workers meet current industry standards.

✨ The Takeaway: Credentialing bridges the gap between education and employment. It ensures students don’t just learn skills—they can prove them.

#FamilyConsumerSciences, #FCSWorks, #ACTE, #FCCLA, #FCS, #AAFCS, #FCSSuccess, #ElevateFCS, #4HBeyondReady, #FCSEdMatters 

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September 22 Message

🥗 Food Safety Isn't Just for the Kitchen—It's a Life Skill.

Would you know how to prevent foodborne illness, safely prepare a meal, or protect your family from cross-contamination?

These aren't just cooking skills—they're essential life skills.

Through Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS), students gain hands-on experience in food safety, nutrition, sanitation, and safe food handling that prepares them for everyday life, careers in the food and hospitality industries, and healthier communities.

When we teach food safety, we don't just prevent illness—we build confidence, responsibility, and lifelong healthy habits.

🍎 Food safety is more than a lesson. It's a skill for life.

💬 What food safety tip do you think everyone should know?

#FamilyConsumerSciences, #FCSWorks, #ACTE, #FCCLA, #FCS, #AAFCS, #FCSSuccess, #ElevateFCS, #4HBeyondReady, #FCSEdMatters 

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September 29 Message

🥦 Why EFNEP Matters: Building Skills for Healthier Lives

“Adulting” includes knowing how to eat well, manage food budgets, and keep families healthy—and that’s exactly where EFNEP (Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program) makes a measurable difference.

📊 The evidence-based impact: EFNEP is a national, research-driven nutrition education program that helps individuals and families build the skills needed for better health, food security, and self-sufficiency.

✨ What participants gain:

🍎 Improved nutrition habits: Studies show EFNEP participants consistently report better diet quality and healthier eating behaviors after completing the program.

💵 Stronger food resource management: Participants learn how to stretch food dollars, plan meals, and shop wisely, increasing food security and reducing waste.

🧼 Safer food practices: EFNEP emphasizes proper food handling, storage, and preparation—helping reduce the risk of foodborne illness.

🏃‍♀️ Healthier lifestyles: Participants also report increases in physical activity and overall wellness behaviors, supporting long-term health outcomes.

📈 Proven results at scale: Over 96% of adult participants improve what they eat and millions of families have gained skills that support healthier living

🎓 Why EFNEP certification matters: Completing EFNEP programming signals that individuals have gained evidence-based knowledge and practical life skills—from nutrition to budgeting—making it a valuable foundation for health, independence, and family well-being.

✨ The Takeaway: EFNEP isn’t just a class—it’s a pathway to healthier choices, stronger families, and lifelong skills that make “adulting” a little easier.

#FamilyConsumerSciences, #FCSWorks, #ACTE, #FCCLA, #FCS, #AAFCS, #FCSSuccess, #ElevateFCS, #4HBeyondReady, #FCSEdMatters