Family and Consumer Sciences
"People manage their lives by the decisions they make. FCS provides the tools, guiding individuals to gain this knowledge. Extension FCS reaches individuals of all ages, types and stages of life, without reference to economic boundaries or educational levels."
Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) programming assists individuals and families as they grow and develop, providing the development of essential life skills. Topics are wide and varied - from cooking to decision making; personal hygiene to community health; consumer purchases to financial planning; infant development to aging; housing to nutrition, health and safety. FCS helps people understand the hows and whys of daily life and to gain the skills needed to maneuver through life.
K-State Research and Extension Family and Consumer Sciences programs aim to empower individuals and families with knowledge and skills to make informed decisions that enhance their well-being and quality of life. These programs often collaborate with community organizations, schools, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders to reach a broader audience and address local needs effectively. Local FCS extension agents provide research-based education and resources to help individuals and families improve their lives in various aspects related to family, health, nutrition, finances, and more.
The FCS program typically offers a wide range of services and resources, including workshops, classes, publications, online resources, and one-on-one consultations. Some common areas of focus within FCS include:
- Food Preparation, Processing and Safety
- Health and Wellness
- Supporting communities
- Financial Planning
Family and Consumer Sciences News
Making our homes and families happier and healthier.
Meet Our FACS and SNAP-ED Extension Team
- Ashley Svaty, Northwest FCS Specialist
- Rachael Clews, Southwest FCS Specialist
- Janelle VanKooten, SNAP-Ed Northwest Regional Specialist
- Bertha Mendoza, SNAP-Ed Educator
Expanded Food and Nutrition Education (EFNEP)
Discover the keys to "Eat Smart and Move More" through the EFNEP program, designed to provide hands-on guidance on planning, shopping, and cooking for a healthier lifestyle. Developed by food, nutrition, and physical activity professionals, the program empowers participants to creat
personalized plans that have proven success—97% of participating families improved their diet and saved money since 2005. Join the program at no cost, as EFNEP classes are offered free of charge in your community by trained nutrition assistants supervised by county Extension agents. Learn more on the EFNEP website.
SNAP-Ed
The Kansas SNAP-Ed program is supported by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant, in partnership with the Kansas Department for Children and Families and implemented by Kansas State University Research and Extension (KSRE).
Kansas SNAP-Ed supports low-income Kansans by making the healthy choice the easy choice through a dual focus on nutrition and physical activity education and partnering with local and statewide organizations to improve policies, systems and environments that support healthy behaviors.
Kansas SNAP-Ed focuses on preventing nutrition and activity-related chronic disease by empowering low-resource Kansans to achieve healthy lives, improve food security and reduce health disparities.
Learn more about Kansas SNAP-Ed.
FCS Resources
- K-State Health & Nutrition web site
- College of Human Ecology web site
- Family Nutrition Program (FNP)
- Family Consumer Sciences Rapid Response Center
- College of Human Ecology
- Extension Human Nutrition
- Families
- Family and Consumer Sciences-KSU
- FCS Annual Lessons
- Family Nutrition Program
- Food Safety
- Wonder Wise Parent
- Recovery.org