AAFCS News

AAFCS Launches Collaborative Network to Enhance Member Connection

By AAFCS Team
Alexandria, VA — 11/22/2024 — The American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) is thrilled to announce the launch of the Collaborative Network , a dedicated platform designed to empower members through valuable resources, tools, and networking opportunities. This initiative aims to facilitate connections among members, enabling them to share best practices and collaborate on impactful projects. The Collaborative Network centralizes essential resources that enhance communication and cooperation among AAFCS members, making it easier than ever to engage with fellow professionals. By bringing together experts and practitioners from diverse fields, ...
0 comments

Conference Registration Now Open for the AAFCS Annual Conference 2025!

By AAFCS Team
We are thrilled to announce that registration for the AAFCS Annual Conference , taking place this June in the vibrant city of Kansas City, Missouri , is officially open! Get ready to join us for an inspiring and transformative experience that you won't want to miss! This year’s conference promises a fantastic lineup of keynote speakers, hands-on workshops, and networking opportunities with fellow professionals who share your passion for family and consumer sciences. Whether you’re a seasoned attendee or joining us for the first time, there's something for everyone! Key Details: Conference Dates: June 25 - 27, 2025 Pre-Conference Events: June ...
0 comments

Navigating Exclusions: The Fight for Family and Consumer Sciences in Career Education

By AAFCS Team
On October 31, 2024, PBS NewsHour published an article on Family and Consumer Sciences written by Victoria Pasquantonio, an education producer. [1] The article explored the day-to-day activities of one educator, Christina Lloyd, in Center Ridge, Arkansas. Ms. Lloyd is the Family and Consumer Sciences teacher at Nemo Vista High School and shared with Victoria her work with students to develop their leadership, entrepreneurial, and career-ready skills. That focus on leadership and career-ready skills is something woven throughout Family and Consumer Sciences courses and has been since the vocation—now a discipline, occupation, and industry sector—was developed ...
0 comments

AAFCS Responds to the Publication of a Modernized Career Clusters Framework

By AAFCS Team
AAFCS Responds to the Publication of a Modernized Career Clusters Framework Alexandria, VA . – October 23, 2024- The American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) joins the Alliance for FCS and other associations which support career and technical education to voice their concerns about the recently published Modernized Career Clusters Framework. The Framework was published on October 21, 2024, by Advance CTE, a Maryland based nonprofit. The revised framework is meant to support states as they implement, manage, and oversee career and technical education (CTE) programs and report learner participation data to the federal government ...
0 comments

AAFCS Board of Directors Nominations Now Open!

By AAFCS Team
The AAFCS Nomination Committee is thrilled to announce that we are now accepting nominations for open positions on our Board of Directors! This is a fantastic opportunity to make a meaningful impact within our community and shape the future of family and consumer sciences. We invite passionate and dedicated individuals to consider joining our leadership team. Board members play a vital role in guiding our organization, driving initiatives, and advocating for the advancement of our profession. The AAFCS Nominating Committee is looking for AAFCS Board candidates who: • Can support the AAFCS as it innovates and modernizes. • Wants to use their leadership ...
0 comments

Engaging in the AAFCS Leadership Academy

By AAFCS Team
“E ngaging in the AAFCS Leadership Academy is a powerful growth opportunity which has triggered major impacts on the professional trajectories of participants. ” Barbara Stewart, AAFCS President (2024-2025) The American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) , Community for Building Leadership Capacity, will soon launch its 2025 Leadership Academy and has issued a call for applicants to participate in the program . Interested FCS professionals are encouraged to apply soon and join a going list of leaders who got their start using the leadership skills and training they received ...
0 comments

AAFCS Supports Development of Overview of Family and Consumer Sciences Publication

By AAFCS Team
The American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences ( AAFCS ) announces its support for the recent publication of “Family and Consumer Sciences: Overview of a 100-year-old industry sector.” The document was published by the Alliance for Family and Consumer Sciences ( FCS ) on September 24, 2024, and serves as a critical resource in understanding the unique industry sector, career pathway, and interdisciplinary field of study of Family and Consumer Sciences. The Alliance includes twenty (20) entities representing academia, industry, professional associations, and honor societies which was founded in 2006 by the AAFCS to unify diverse organizations ...
0 comments

Task Force for Program Advancement Seeks Feedback from Higher Education Units

By Ms. Toni Wiese
The AAFCS Task Force for Program Advancement (TFPA), an ad hoc committee of the AAFCS Board, is requesting participation from higher education units in an important survey that aims to assess and strengthen Family & Consumer Sciences (FCS) units within colleges and universities. As you know, the sustainability and impact of our FCS units are more critical than ever, given the evolving educational landscape and societal challenges we face today. Please share this request with your colleagues and administrators in FCS units in higher education institutions. The linked paper survey has been carefully designed to help facilitate robust discussions ...
0 comments

AAFCS Announces 2024 National Awards, Scholarship, Fellowships, and Grant Recipients

By AAFCS Team
AAFCS Announces 2024 National Awards, Scholarship, Fellowships, and Grant Recipients During the 2024 AAFCS Annual Conference, the following recipients were recognized for their excellence in FCS! National Leader Award AAFCS is proud to announce Donna Graham and Jacqueline Holland, CFCS-HDFS as the recipients of the 2024 Leader award. The Leader award was established to identify and honor family and consumer sciences professionals who have made significant contributions to the field through their involvement with AAFCS. Donna and Jacqueline are vital to the success of our association and AAFCS is proud to honor them. National New Achiever Award ...
0 comments

Establishing a FCS Career Cluster - The draft is out

By AAFCS Team
Take Action Today Family and Consumer Sciences Left Out of the Draft Advance CTE National Career Cluster Framework. Supporters, Advance CTE recently published their draft Framework, and they have again left FCS off of the draft National Career Cluster Framework . Their rationale for the decision is specious at best and their comments on the value of Family and Consumer Sciences as a career path for students demonstrate that they have not done their homework as they still do not understand our profession, our careers, and our industry. We as professionals, supporters, and collaborators in ...
0 comments

Announcing Partnership to Develop Recommended Changes to FCS CIP Codes

By AAFCS Team
Colleagues, AAFCS and LEAD FCS Education are collaborating on a joint initiative to review and revise CIP Code 19 (Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences) and recommend inclusion on the STEM-related list. The joint initiative will include an ad-hoc review committee and a content advisory committee. Please take a few moments to complete the survey by Friday, June 28 to express your interest to participate in this important work which includes: The Ad-Hoc Review Committee tasked to review, revise, and recommend changes to CIP Code 19. The Initiative Content Advisory Committee to provide subject-matter expertise and feedback regarding proposed ...
0 comments

FEEDBACK SOUGHT: Family and Consumer Sciences Body of Knowledge (BOK)

By AAFCS Team
The Retooling the Family and Consumer Sciences Body of Knowledge Task Force , established in the Fall of 2023, is seeking feedback regarding the FCS-BOK. It has been over 20 years since the FCS-BOK was first introduced. Like any framework, retooling is essential so that it remains relevant and of value for the future. Your feedback will help the Task Force assess what is working, identify the current relevance of the FCS-BOK, articulate modifications that enhance understanding, and suggest resources that advance understanding. Click on the appropriate link below to complete a brief survey to share your feedback! Undergraduate Student Survey ...
0 comments

AAFCS Feature in Partner Jump$tart Weekly Publication

By AAFCS Team
A conversation with the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) team So tell us, what’s new? The AAFCS has recently redesigned its advocacy program and launched a new advocacy website to provide a toolkit with information and resources to keep individuals informed on recent legislation and regulation related to Family and Consumer Sciences content areas, including personal and family finance. The AAFCS is working with legislators, regulators, industry, and others to bring visibility to emerging challenges that impact the financial well-being of individuals, families, and communities around the U.S. The Advocacy ...
0 comments

AAFCS and iCEV Partner to Help Learners Prepare for Industry-Recognized Credentials

By AAFCS Team
American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) and iCEV Partner to Help Learners Prepare for Industry-Recognized Credentials New iCEV certification alignments—multimedia lessons featuring slide decks, video instruction, and hands-on activities and projects—focus on the domains evaluated within the AAFCS credentials. The American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) and iCEV, a leading producer of Career & Technical Education (CTE) curriculum, industry certification preparation and testing, and data management, have partnered to help learners prepare for industry-recognized AAFCS credentials. Through this ...
0 comments

Thinking About Change by Deb Andres

By AAFCS Team
A few decades ago, when I was teaching high school Family & Consumer Sciences, our school staff were engaged in a book-study of Spencer Johnson’s (now renowned) book “Who Moved My Cheese.” Little did I know the wisdom of that book would have such a long-lasting impact on my personal and professional life. Sometimes I have been complacent to change. I took my time in adapting to what is going to change, whether I want it to or not (much like Haw in the book). A few times, though much less commonly, I dug my heels in and refused to allow change because I was too scared of the unknown (like Hem in the book). Other times I have been more like Sniff, who could ...
0 comments

Funding Opportunity: AAFCS Community of Extension Grant ($5,000)

By AAFCS Team
The application period is now OPEN for the Community of Extension Grant ($5,000) which provides funding for innovation programs designed to enhance the well-being of families. Applications/proposals must address how the project contributes to increasing public knowledge of family and consumer sciences and its value to society and expanding the body of knowledge related to family and consumer sciences. Individuals and teams who are eligible to apply for the Community of Extension Grant include: § Individuals or teams employed by Extension with family and consumer sciences program responsibilities. § Individuals or teams retired ...
0 comments

Announcing the 2024 Board of Director Officers

By AAFCS Team
The American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) formally announces the forthcoming appointment of its Board of Directors Officers for the 2024 to 2025 term. The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled to occur during the 2024 AAFCS Annual Conference, set to take place in early June in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Dr. Barbara Stewart, CFCS will be stepping into the position of Board President. Alongside her, Dr. Cara Winston Simmons, CFCS will fulfill the responsibilities of the Board President Elect. Furthermore, Menia L. Chester, CFCS, CNWE will take on the vital role of Board Treasurer. We are pleased to announce the appointment of our ...
0 comments

AAFCS provided our recommendation to Advance CTE

By AAFCS Team
On March 14th, the AAFCS provided our recommendation to Advance CTE to establish Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) as an independent Career Cluster within the framework provided by Advance CTE. As highlighted in our letter, “Many industries are suffering from a skilled worker gap that can be addressed by implementation of an FCS career cluster. These include the well-known and documented teacher shortages, milling, and baker shortages, and hospitality labor shortages. In the baking field alone, the industry is expected to have approximately 53,000 unfilled jobs by 2030. A high school graduate of an FCS career pathway can immediately join the workforce ...
0 comments

Feature Friday: Individuals that Impact

By AAFCS Team
AAFCS celebrates Black History Month with this week's Feature Friday recognizing two exceptional FCS Professionals who are making an impact! Julia R. Miller-Arline Julia R. Miller-Arline is an educator, administrator, mentor, researcher, author, and advocate for equal rights in education. Her interests in education were inspired by significant members of her family whose professional careers were in elementary and secondary education. Dr. Miller-Arline’s career in education began as a home economics teacher in junior high school, and then progressed to high school teacher, to higher education, to full professor, to dean and dean emeritus, at Michigan ...
0 comments