Executive Summary & Full Report

For the Press

FCS in FoCuS

Podcast

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Available to ALL! Fill out your information to be sent the Executive Summary.

The full report is available to AAFCS Members and Non-Members! 

Read the Full Report

Available to AAFCS Members for FREE and Non-Members for a fee. 

The Family and Consumer Sciences Industry Economic Impact Study is the first comprehensive analysis of the economic scale and workforce relevance of the FCS field. It identifies 351 occupations across 215 industries that align with FCS knowledge and skills, with a combined direct economic output of $753 billion annually. The study offers a unified data framework to understand FCS’s role in workforce development, community wellbeing, and the U.S. economy.

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Welcome to the AAFCS Media Center—your gateway to connecting with the voices behind Family & Consumer Sciences. Members of the press and media can access leadership bios for interview opportunities, find the contact information for our official press liaison, and stay up to date with the latest announcements and insights from AAFCS.

Whether you're seeking expert commentary, background information, or a quote for your story, we’re here to help you tell the story of FCS with clarity and impact.

Leadership Bios Press Liaison

Read the Official Announcement

Discover the key findings and significance of our latest industry study in the official press release. Learn how this research is shaping the future of Family and Consumer Sciences and what it means for professionals, educators, and advocates across the field.

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Elevate the visibility and value of Family and Consumer Sciences in today's world. Spotlighting key data powered by the findings of the FCS Economic Impact Industry Study.

Family and Consumer Sciences is a people-centered discipline that supports the wellbeing of individuals, families, and communities through education, research, and applied technology. The field includes areas such as healthcare, nutrition and wellness, education and training, child and family development, personal and family finance, housing and interiors, consumer services, textiles and apparel, and hospitality and tourism.

The Family and Consumer Sciences Industry Economic Impact Study is the first comprehensive analysis of the economic scale and workforce relevance of the FCS field. It identifies 351 occupations across 215 industries that align with FCS knowledge and skills, with a combined direct economic output of $753 billion annually. The study offers a unified data framework to understand FCS’s role in workforce development, community wellbeing, and the U.S. economy.

The study was commissioned by the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) and conducted by a third-party economic research firm. It draws on national occupation and industry data from established sources including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the U.S. Census Bureau.

Family and Consumer Sciences is a critical yet often underrecognized field. The study was conducted to provide credible, data-backed insights into the size, scope, and impact of FCS. It equips stakeholders across sectors with the evidence needed to support policy, funding, partnerships, and public awareness.

You may cite the report as: Family and Consumer Sciences Industry Economic Impact Study. American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, 2025.

FCS impacts everyday decisions from how families eat, budget, care for children and elders, manage their health, and build stable homes. This study shows that beyond its personal relevance, FCS also drives economic growth and prepares communities to meet today’s challenges.

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Listen Now—THINK FCS: Industry Study Deep Dive!

Join AAFCS Executive Director, Karin Athanas, as she walks listeners through the newly released FCS Industry Study for a comprehensive look at the current landscape, challenges, and opportunities within Family & Consumer Sciences. Tune in to hear key findings, why this study matters, and how it can be used to advocate for the profession, inform policy, and inspire future growth. Whether you're an educator, student, or FCS advocate, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

100 Years of Impact

1909 Home Economics Established

Ellen Swallow Richards and colleagues founded the American Home Economics Association (now AAFCS), marking the start of Family and Consumer Sciences as a professional field. 

1917 Smith-Hughes Act

First federal law to fund vocational education—identified Home Economics (FCS) as a vocation and provided states with financial aid for FCS programs.

1970s FCS Expands in Schools

Curriculum included career planning, consumer finance, human development, parenthood education, clothing, food preparation, and housing—broadening the reach of FCS in K-12.

1990s Transition to "Family and Consumer Sciences"

The profession adopted the modern title "Family and Consumer Sciences" to reflect its expanded scope: preparing individuals for success at work, at home, and in communities.

1998 Carl D. Perkins Act

Congress reaffirmed funding for CTE, including FCS programs, and set accountability requirements for program performance.

2000 Loss of Career Cluster Status

FCS was removed from the Department of Education's recognized career clusters list, resulting in reduced federal funding and a decline in some FCS programs and educators.

2018 Perkins V Act

Signed into law on July 31, Perkins V highlighted employability skills and explicitly recognized Family and Consumer Sciences as a source of integrated career readiness.

Today

FCS continues as the only content in public schools dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families, equipping students with essential skills for thriving in work, family, and community life.