Meeting Participants:
| Arkansas | Lynn Russell |
| Georgia | Tom Rodgers |
| Louisiana | Ellen Murphy |
| Mississippi | Mildred Holland, Beverly Howell |
| North Carolina | Sandra Zaslow |
| South Carolina | Nancy Porter |
| Tennessee | Shirley Hastings |
| Oklahoma | Regina for Lynda Harriman |
| North Carolina | Karen DeBord |
Chair Mildred Holland called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. with eight Program Leaders and two guests participating.
FCS Competencies
Karen DeBord, North Carolina State University, provided the following update of activities of the Family and Child Development competency committee: The committee conducted an online survey of southern region Extension Agents to determine the importance of selected competency areas as well as proficiency levels for each of the competency areas. A total of 239 responses were received. As a result of the survey, competency areas receiving the highest ratings were collapsed into six groups: family systems, family stress and crisis, relationship building, adulthood, childhood development, and parenting skills. Finally, proficiency levels were developed for each of the competency areas, with competencies being designated as essential, intermediate, or advanced.
State Updates
The following updates of state activities were provided:
Louisiana (Ellen Murphy)
- A major emphasis is being place on the statewide obesity initiative.
- Louisiana is participating in a multi-state initiative on childhood obesity with Arkansas and Mississippi.
- A healthy lifestyle curriculum, "Portions," and "Weight Off Wisely" are two resources being used for the obesity program.
- Extension is hoping to partner with the Pennington Institute, a national leader in obesity research.
South Carolina (Nancy Porter)
- FCS is moving on becoming a comprehensive department.
- The budget situation is serious, with perhaps a 10% cut expected by July 1.
- Extension is organized in five regions with about 30 FCS agents.
- An in-service training, "Baby Boomers Come of Age," is being planned.
Georgia (Tom Rodgers)
- Extension has just had a budget cut and will be losing 12 agents (overall).
- Currently, there are 50 FACS Agents, with an additional 15 on grants and contracts.
- Extension is restructuring and reorganizing.
Oklahoma (Regina for Lynda Harriman)
- Extension is experiencing a hiring freeze.
- An in-service training on e-Extension and CCEP has been conducted.
Mississippi
- Alcorn State University Cooperative Extension Program has a new administrator, Dr. Dalton McAfee. (Mildred Holland)
- Mississippi State University Extension Service continues to move into a restructured organization with in-service training of area agents, 4-H agents, and county directors being a priority. Interviews are scheduled for candidates for Health Education Specialist. Funding of $300,000 was received for an Agromedicine Program. (Beverly Howell)
Other Items
- Nancy Porter reminded participants of the Family Economics and Resource Management/Human Development Pre-conference to the AAFCS Annual Meeting. Currently, submissions for presentations are low. Members should contact Nancy for submission information.
- The next teleconference will be Friday, April 11, 2003 at 9:00 a.m. CST. The phone-in number is 662-325-8448.
The meeting adjourned at 10:05 a.m.