Family and Consumer Sciences

This extension program focuses on critical issues impacting individuals, families and communities in Georgia. The program provides parents, families, community leaders and professionals the most up-to-date and research-based concepts of positive development for youths, families and communities to improve the quality of life for all Americans.

Programs include:

• TEAM Success Program
• Parent Education Program
• Basic Life Skills Program
• Senior Life Program

What To Expect?

As a TEAM Success student, your responsibilities for this position are a combination of office and field work. Physical activities such as evaluating crops, working with animals, conducting cooking demonstrations and assisting youth-related programs are required to successfully complete the program.

In addition to a $2,100 stipend you will gain hands-on professional work experience and become more familiar with the different components of your community while living at home.

Who Can Apply?

Applicants must live in one of the 14 counties where a Fort Valley State University Cooperative Extension Agent or Program Assistant is based. Those counties are Bulloch, Crawford, Dooly, Dougherty, Hancock, Houston, Irwin, Laurens, Lowndes, Macon, Marion, Peach, Talbot and Twiggs.

How To Apply?

Electronically, submit:

A completed application.
Official high school transcript for the most recent school year.
Three letters of recommendation from school teachers, administrators or community leaders.
Completed essay (see essay requirements below).
To be selected for the TEAM Success program, applicants must:

• Be interested in attending Fort Valley State University.
• Be interested in a career in agriculture, family and consumer sciences, 4-H or a related field.
• Be a rising junior or senior, or a graduating high school senior.
• Be a citizen of the United States.
• Be at least 16 years old by the application due date.
• Have at minimum a 2.4 cumulative grade point average.
• Write an essay (at least 250 words) answering the question: What qualities do I possess that will help me achieve success at Fort Valley State University?
• Have parent(s) or guardian(s) approval and support (parental consent is required).

Applicants will receive electronic notification of selection.

The Cooperative Extension Housing Program focuses on helping Georgians obtain and maintain safe, sanitary and affordable housing.

Programming areas include:

Homegrown

The Home Grown homebuyer education classes are designed to help consumers gain the knowledge they need to become successful homeowners. This includes ensuring that participants have an understanding of the home buying process, mortgages, financial management, how to prevent foreclosure and default, and knowing the professionals involved in the process. The program also includes a component on maintaining a safe, clean and healthy home environment.

Under One Roof

The Under One Roof annual housing conference provides local government officials, public housing authority professionals, non-profit organizations and developers with the needed information to learn how to utilize various state and federal resources to make a difference in the state’s current housing conditions. Through a variety of well known speakers, exhibits and workshops, participants learn firsthand about financial and technical resources that are available to assist them.

S.M.A.R.T.T

The Securing Money Assets and Resources Through Training (SMARTT) Program is an educational program designed to meet the financial literacy needs of Georgians. The SMARTT Program offers specialized instruction to individuals on the application of money management skills and strategies. The program is designed to assist individuals establish healthy banking relationships, begin building assets and secure a better future for themselves and their families. The program curriculum includes:

• Budgeting-financial decision-making, current spending patterns, developing a “realistic” budget, reasons for budgeting.
• Credit Repair-understanding your credit report and score, factors affecting credit score, re-establishing credit, forms of credit.
• Understanding loans-costs associated with loans, the interest rate affect, comparing loan offers.
• Debt reduction-making power payments, money actions plans, savings and investment, long and short-term goal setting.

The Family Resource Management Program focuses on consumer education programs designed to help consumers improve their economic situations, financial statuses and resource management techniques during hard economic times. The program highlights steps consumers can take to manage their resources on a limited budget. It also teaches participates the benefits of self-control needed to cut costs and reduce spending. In addition, the program focuses on family financial management, and emphasizes early intervention, saving, wealth and workforce preparation.

• SMART: Train-the-Trainer Programs
• Family Financial Management
• Financial Management 101 for young adults
• America Saves
• Small Steps to Health & Wealth
• Consumer Education Program

Apparel and Textiles

The Apparel and Textiles Program focuses on apparel selection, care, performance, labeling requirements, design, safety and innovative technological developments in textile fibers. The workforce preparation program focuses on helping individuals make the transition from unemployment to work. Participants development a positive self-image and develop good wardrobe communication skills for seeking employment.

• Workforce preparation
• Back-to-school programs
• Apparel & textiles foundation training

This program is designed to provide clientele and concerned consumers with current information on nutrition, food selection and preparation, food quality, diet, health, risks for chronic diseases and safe food handling practices to minimize the risks of food-borne illness. The program focuses on the needs of Georgians suffering from obesity, cancer, hypertension, diabetes and heart disease. Eating nutritious foods and increasing physical activity are promoted.

• Nutrition Education
• Food Safety and Food Preservation
• ServSafe
• Health Awareness Programs/Health fairs
• Nutricise
• Farmers Market Program

Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP)

EFNEP is designed to help parents feed their children healthier meals and snacks, save money on food and reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses. Nutrition education is also provided to youth ages 4 – 18. EFNEP is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and offered in every state of U.S. territory. In Georgia, EFNEP is offered through Fort Valley State University and University of Georgia.

Fort Valley State University offers a comprehensive Head Start and Early Head Start program aimed at providing high-quality early childhood education and development services to children from low-income families. The program focuses on promoting school readiness by enhancing the social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development of young children. The Head Start and Early Head Start Program at Forty Valley State University plays a crucial role in providing early childhood education and support services to children from low-income families, setting a strong foundation for their future success.

Services Offered

• Early Childhood Education: The program provides a structured curriculum that supports children’s learning and development in various areas such as literacy, math, science, and social skills.
• Health Services: Children enrolled in the program receive access to health screenings, nutritious meals, and referrals to medical and dental care services to ensure their overall well-being.
• Family Support: The program offers support services to families, including parenting classes, workshops, and resources to help parents become more involved in their child’s education and development.
• Disability Services: Children with disabilities are provided with individualized support and accommodations to ensure they can fully participate in the program and reach their full potential.

Impact

The Forty Valley State University Head Start and Early Head Start (Childcare Partnerships) program have shown significant positive impacts on participating children, families, and communities. Studies have demonstrated improvements in school readiness, academic achievement, social skills, and overall well-being among children who have participated in the program.

Enrollment

Families interested in enrolling their children in the Forty Valley State University Head Start and Early Head Start program can contact the Head Start program for more information on eligibility criteria, application process, and available slots.

Contact Us
P.O. Box 4395
1005 State University Drive
Fort Valley, GA 31030
(478) 825-6171