Nutrition, Family & Consumer Sciences
The Family Nutrition Program
... strives to improve the nutritional status of families across the county.
The U of I Extension Family Nutrition Program promotes safe and healthy eating by providing nutrition education and materials to food stamp eligible residents.
Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program is funded with Food Stamp Administrative Funds by the Food and Nutrition Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
FNP reaches an average of 700 youth per month at county schools and daycare facilities. An average of 100 adults are reached per month at local food pantries, Dept. of Human Services, Spoon River College Even Start and GED programs, C.I.E.D.C. Senior Nutrition Sites, and local community clubs with face-to-face programs.
A county-wide Diabetes Support Group was formed as a direct result of providing the Dining With Diabetes series of lessons. Diabetes Lifelines Newsletter is now mailed to 100 county residents, and the number continues to grow.
FNP Collaborative Efforts have supported:
- Mason County Coordinating Council by contributing a display at Health Fairs in all county middle schools, reaching 800 youth.
- Mason District Hospital by providing a display at the 1st annual Women's Health Fair, where 200 women attended.
- Mason County Prevention Team by providing a display at the annual Super Saturday event, where approximately 200 youth and adults attended.
- Mason County Discovery Day event, providing information, healthy snacks, and encouraging physical activity to 275 third grade participants. Co-sponsor is Mason County Soil and Water Conservation District.
Family Life Programs
... have expanded to provide valuable information in a wide-ranging scope of issues.
- The Child Care Series has provided information and continuing education credit to over 325 caregivers in 32 sessions over the last seven years, as well as regular newsletter mailings.
- An initiative to provide support to Grandparents Raising Grandchildren has grown to include a loan library and regular newsletter distribution to 45 private families, 20 DHS families, and all counselors in Mason County schools. A support group began in Havana in fall 2005.
- An annual Babysitting Clinic held for youth age 10-14 reached over 25 young people in 2006.
