Family and Consumer Sciences Committee
Conference Call
October 10 , 2003

Participants:

Florida Nayda Torres, University of Florida
Georgia Elizabeth Andress, University of Georgia
Kentucky Bonnie Tanner, University of Kentucky
Mississippi Beverly Howell, Mississippi State University
South Carolina Nancy Porter, Clemson University
Tennessee Shirley Hastings, University of Tennessee

Chair Beverly Howell called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. Central Time. Nancy Porter moved, Shirley Hastings seconded, that the minutes of the July 11, 2003, conference call be accepted as written. Motion passed.

Critical Issues Committees Reports

State and Federal Funding Versus Grants and Contracts: Nayda Torres, Chair, reported that the committee is in the process of scheduling the first conference call to move forward with recommendations.

Adequate Funding and Staffing for FCS Programs: Beverly Howell reported that Lynn Russell, Chair, is in the process of scheduling a conference call of the committee.

FCS Position Within Extension and the University: No report.

Annual Work Plan Update

FCS Competencies: No report.

FCS Modules: No report.

Marketing and Interpreting FCS Programs: Bonnie Tanner reported that work has been delayed due to heavy involvement in completing Food Stamp Nutrition Education program proposal negotiations.

Update of FCS Committee Membership Document and List Serve

Program Leaders were encouraged to review the FCS committee membership document, located on the Southern Rural Development Center website (www.srdc.msstate.edu), and the list serve, which was sent electronically to members on September 29. Corrections to either list should be sent to Beverly Howell.

State Update Electronic Reporting Template

Beverly Howell reported that the Southern Rural Development Center has agreed to provide a template for electronically reporting state updates on the PLN page of their website. A draft template has been submitted for their review. The template includes reporting categories of (a) budget situation, (b) staffing, and (c) programmatic highlights.

Advisors' Update

No report.

State Updates

Florida - Nayda Torres, University of Florida

  • Extension has received a contract from the Department of Children and Families for the Food Stamp Nutrition Education program, but has no authority to spend project funds until the Atlanta Regional Office approves the proposal. If approval is not received by October 13, personnel will be laid off and the project will be closed.
  • Larry Arrington has been named Interim Dean for Extension.

Kentucky - Bonnie Tanner, University of Kentucky

  • The School of Human Environmental Sciences is being integrated into the College of Agriculture.
  • The University is in a "hard freeze," however, Extension is hiring in selected positions. No more budget cuts are expected this year.
  • Contracts for four of the five service area Food Stamp Nutrition Education programs are being negotiated.

South Carolina - Nancy Porter, Clemson University

  • The Food Stamp Nutrition Education program is handled in a department other than FCS.
  • Extension may be looking at a 10% mid-year budget cut. If the cut occurs, personnel will most likely be laid off.
  • Extension no longer has a Dean and Director of Extension. The administrative position is now Chief Operating Officer.
  • FCS currently has two state specialists: Family Strengths and Family Resource Management.

Georgia - Elizabeth Andress, University of Georgia

  • A contract for the Food Stamp Nutrition Education program has been signed with the Department of Human Resources.
  • Effective November 1, Extension has restructured administrative districts from five to four. Other restructuring possibilities are being discussed.
  • FACS Agents are working in clustered counties.

Tennessee - Shirley Hastings, University of Tennessee

  • A five-year contract for the Food Stamp Nutrition Education program has been signed with the Department of Human Resources.
  • Extension experienced a 9% budget cut this year. One-half of the anticipated cut had been put aside so Extension did not experience any lay offs. Not many positions are currently being filled.
  • Due to the budget situation, the Extension Annual Conference was canceled for this fall. Instead, regional conferences are being held.

Mississippi - Beverly Howell, Mississippi State University

  • Two FCS specialists' positions are currently being advertised: Family Resource Management and Family Education and Policy.
  • Funding was received from the Agricultural Research Service for an area nutrition position affiliated with the Delta Nutrition Intervention Research Initiative (NIRI) project.
  • A contract for the Food Stamp Nutrition Education program has been signed with the Department of Human Services.


Announcements


Summary of Action Items