Participants:
Florida Nayda Torres, University of Florida
Georgia Tom Rogers, University of Georgia
Kentucky Bonnie Tanner, University of Kentucky
Louisiana Ellen Murphy, Louisiana State University AgCenter
Kasundra Cyrus, Southern University AgCenter
Mississippi Beverly Howell, Mississippi State University
North Carolina Thelma Feaster, N C A& T State University
M. Jean Baldwin, NC A& T State University
Sandy Zaslow, NC State University
Oklahoma Lynda Harriman, Oklahoma State University
Tennessee Shirley Hastings, University of Tennessee
Texas Carolyn Nobles, Prairie View A&M University
Virginia Brian Calhoun, Virginia Tech
Advisors Margaret Hale, Texas A& M University

Beverly Howell, Chair, called the meeting to order. Jean Baldwin, Secretary called the roll. Participants in the call are listed above. Since the minutes from the January 9th conference call had not been received by participants, reading and approval of the minutes were tabled until the Spring Meeting. The secretary will distribute the January 9th minutes again both electronically and through hard copies.

Agenda for Spring FCS Program Leaders' Meeting
Nine or ten people have signed up to participate in the spring meeting. Other participants added their name to the list. A meeting about Nutrition Food Policy takes place the same days as our spring meeting. It was suggested that an update on the Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program be added to the agenda. Chair Beverly Howell will send out a tentative agenda for review. On the tentative agenda, please note agenda items as well as the allocation of time.

FCS Critical Issues Committees Reports

Adequate Funding and Staffing for FCS Programs – (Lynn Russell, Chair)
No report.

State and Federal Funding Versus Grants and Contracts (Nyda Torres, Chair)
The committee has had one conference call. Bo Beaulieu has been invited to our August meeting to discuss grant fund possibilities.

FCS Position within Extension and the University (Tom Rodgers, Chair)
The name of the FCS program varies among the states. FCS is at a disadvantage in some states because it is housed under the College of Agriculture. We need organizational models that will help the administration have a greater appreciation and concern for the value of FCS. At the spring meeting in Atlanta, the Adequate Funding and Staffing for FCS Programs Committee (Lynn Russell, Chair) and the FCS Position within Extension and the University (Tom Rodgers, Chair) will meet initially as a combined group.

Chair Beverly Howell identified the members of each of the Critical Issues Committees. Howell will send out the list of the committee members. Everyone should review the list. Program leaders who are not listed on a committee should identify a committee to join.

FCS Modules for CECP

FCS Competencies
Ellen Murphy attended the steering committee meeting for CECP in Biloxi. Kathy Volanty has asked for volunteers to serve on the competencies' teams. Leaders are needed for each team. Program leaders are asked to make recommendations for chairmen and members. Currently there have been six volunteers for Family Resource Management, three volunteers for Food, Nutrition, and Food Safety, but no volunteers for either Health or Family and Child Development.

CECP is an on-line curriculum development model. The vision for CECP is to be an on-line resource for in-service training. In the future, CECP could be used to provide Continuing Ed credits to the public. Each program area:

1) has a steering committee, which will establish a peer review process.
2) will define the parameters for the review process (this item will be on the agenda for the spring meeting).
3) will need to identify team members and request their assistance.
4) should have program modules posted at the website.

Each team should have other members in addition to program specialists. IT specialists are needed to round out the team. In August, the training dates will be announced. Other areas will be asked to join the module development and review. Six modules are currently posted at the web site, but it is uncertain as to whether or not these modules have been through a peer review process.

Advisors' Update- Margaret Hale
Hale encouraged PLN to expand on critical issues if the Adequate Funding and Staffing for FCS Programs Committee (Lynn Russell, Chair) and the FCS Position within Extension and the University (Tom Rodgers, Chair) are combined. For FSNEP, there may be a possible meeting to strengthen the partnership. If there are any action items that Hale can raise at this meeting, please let her know. Sandy Zaslow brought up the need for a clear assessment about the political will and future funding for FSNEP.

On behalf of Gina Eubanks, Kasundra Cyrus reported that LSU in continuing to offer parenting classes and Nutrition News.

State Updates
In the best interest of time available, no state reports were given. The state reports will be given at the Spring Meeting in Atlanta.

Announcements
The next conference call will be July 9, 2004 at 9:00 a.m. Central time. The call in number is (662) 325-8448.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 a.m. Central Time.

Submitted by,
M. Jean Baldwin, Secretary