Present:

Beverly Howell
Dorothy Wilson
Nayda Torres
Catherine Cason
Judy Warren
Lauren Stephenson
Ann Vail
Shirley Hastings
Ellen Murphy
Jorge Atiles
Thelma Sanders-Hunter

Thelma Sanders-Hunter opened the meeting by extending a welcome to those in attendance.

State Reports:

Beverly Howell (MS) shared information about their upcoming families' conference. The number registered for the conference was 400. They had experienced budget rounds with the state legislature; they received 25 percent increase in state funding. There was an increase in the starting salaries. Their most recent program involvement is a 2-day conference with the University of Mississippi Medical School and a private foundation focusing on public school health. Extension will train workers to prepare more nutritious food. Cindy Storey is the master chef.

Dorothy Wilson (OK) reported that Langston had received $100,000 for EFNEP funding. Paraprofessionals will be hired. Wilson reported that she is working with Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS). They had not received any additional state monies. She also reported working with Oklahoma State Cooperative Extension 4-H staff and council.

Nyada Torres (FL) indicated that they are continuing a program "Take Charge of Dial." Funding from their Florida State Department of Health pays for consultant fees. They are working with Florida A&M State University with EFNEP. Their staff consists of two urban and two rural positions.

Catherine Cason (SC) reported that they are continuing with food safety and nutrition programs. Their budget has been decreased. They are working with South Carolina State University with EFNEP. They currently have three faculty searches and three county searches.

Judy Warren (TX) reported having a good legislative session. Two positions out of seven are to be funded. They are piloting a third grade curriculum on healthy snacks. Twenty-seven third grade classes are involved. Data is being collected from children and parents.

They are working with 4-H to collaborate working with fourth and fifth grades. Texas has food handler cards online for state certification. In terms of their diabetes program, their goal is to work with various public health regions. They want to get this into their Plan of Work.

Laura Stephenson and Ann Vail (KY) reported having a good legislative session. They received $500,000 recurring funding for their packaged education on nutrition/weight management and 4-H and youth development programs. They are searching for a family life specialist position. Associate dean search is underway. They have two candidates so far.

Shirley Hastings (TN) reported having had an outstanding day on the Hill. Their initiatives at The University of Tennessee are Tennessee Shapes Up and Obesity awareness. They have a "Power U" Curriculum developed for fourth graders.

Thelma Sanders-Hunter (TN) reported that Tennessee State University received funding for EFNEP in the amount of $100,000. Efforts are underway to hire personnel to work on this program in two to three targeted counties.

Ellen Murphy (LA) reported that Dr. Rosalee Bivens retired. She reported that she is completing the physical activity data collection for the program funded by Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Results of the evaluation are very positive. They have plans to use research to build a small program for childhood obesity. Funding is better for Louisiana State University this year compared to previous years. There has been a surge of income in their state. LSU is under the control of a Board of Regents. Their Ag Center was declared sufficient. A new curriculum was developed for EFNEP. Five FCS positions were filled.

Jorge Atiles (GA) disclosed that their legislative year had not yet ended. At this time, he does not know the dollar funding amount. Georgia has had a surplus. There are no additional state dollars to fill county extension positions. There are county dollars available with no state dollars to go with what is available. As a result, there has been a deletion of county dollars. There were 10 new agents hired with the Energy Grant. Funding is only for a three-year period. They are trying to develop better relations with Human Resources. The state wants them to use some resources to fund county agents. They are still seeking a new dean and associate director of their college. There are two candidates. They are fully staffed at the state level. However, a gerontology person is needed. Progress is being made in food safety. Jorge stated that he is working with the housing program - first-time home buyers and water conservation. They have federal funding for Georgia Center for Obesity and Related Disorders (GCORD). He made a presentation identifying how they could partner together because they are doing so much in public health issues.

Update on Lynn Russell :

Ellen Murphy indicated that she had talked with Lynn 's husband, Bill. Lynn is very sick. She is currently in the hospital but appears to be doing somewhat better. She is in Baptist Hospital in Little Rock . A suggestion was made to give Lynn a retirement gift. She enjoys making afghans - crocheting, gardening, and inspirational goods.

Retirement

Ellen indicated that she was in North Carolina and gave some thought to what would be good to consider giving Sandy Zaslow for a retirement gift. At this point, Sandy is in the process of downsizing. She would appreciate this group giving consideration to making a donation to the Arts Council. To date, there is $375.00 in the account. Only a few states, according to Judy, need to come forward. She gave information of how to make the checks payable; that is to the Texas Cooperative Extension Account 094119.

Board of Human Sciences Conference - March 2007

Jorge Atiles is dedicated to reaching out to legislators in terms of what the Board of Human Sciences can do for informed policies. He stated that in March while in Washington , he met with some representatives and with senate staffers as well as staffers of representatives over lunch. He informed them about his affiliation with Extension. He offered to help them with their committees in regards to teaching, research, and extension. They discussed issues that they can help with. He also stated that he talked with the staffers about young people being trained in the area of financial management.

EFNEP Conference - March 2007

Catherine Cason reported that there was a large attendance with good 1890 representation in Washington , DC . A lot of information was covered in regards to curricula, the future of EFNEP and its budget. Judy indicated that she also attended and was impressed with the competencies for the paraprofessionals. This can lead to reduction of high turnovers.

Other Items for Discussion

Jorge shared that the Priester Health Conference recently held was the best he has attended. There was a good exchange of health issues, i.e., healthy home, nutrition, etc.

Margaret Hale attended ASRED. She alluded to Create 21 still being in the air.

The meeting was adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for July 6, 2007 at 9:00 a.m. Central Time.

Recorded by Thelma Sanders-Hunter