News Archive

July 2020 Co-Parenting: A Shift in Thinking Three major shifts in language are important for successful co-parenting. By sticking with the old language, conflict remains alive, parents continue to criticize their co-parent, and children are hurt by the words their parents are using. Changing our language will help change our thinking, and ultimately, our behavior.	July 2020 Sunscreen is a Must Year-Round in Order to Protect Skin Summer is officially here, and that means people will be spending more time in the great outdoors. To help ensure skin safety in the sun, it’s a good idea to be vigilant with sunscreen. With so many types available, choices are difficult.
June 2020 Tips to Help Cut Home Cooling Costs This Summer When it comes to reducing home cooling costs during the summer, some people think adjusting the thermostat is all they can do. Fortunately, there are several things that can help put a dent in the cost of keeping a home cool, said Gina Peek, Oklahoma State University Extension housing and consumer specialist.	June 2020 Nutrition Education Programs Make Big Impacts on Oklahomans When Erika Graham learned her husband had been diagnosed with diabetes, she was thankful for the information she learned through the Community Nutrition Education Programs that taught her about the impact healthy eating has on a person’s health.
June 2020 Economic Stimulus May Arrive as Prepaid Card A warning for those who have not yet received their $1,200 economic stimulus payments: Be careful to not throw it away with the junk mail.	June 2020 Investing in Yourself During times of stress, investing in yourself is especially important so that you can be the healthiest version of you.
May 2020 Prioritize Bills During Times of Financial Stress Many families across Oklahoma have learned over the last several weeks how difficult it can be to pay all of their bills each month when income has been decreased or stopped completely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Old budgets no longer work. New plans are needed, and quickly, said Cindy Clampet, Oklahoma State University Extension assistant family resource management specialist.	May 2020 Caregiving During the Coronavirus Pandemic Within the last several weeks, Oklahoma, along with the rest of the United States and the world, entered an unprecedented time. As COVID-19 continues to spread, public officials have implemented new policies regarding social spaces, increasing to shelter-in-place orders across the state.
May 2020 OESC Warns Unemployment Scams are on the Rise Oklahoma has seen an unprecedented increase in the number of unemployment claims, officials said. Unfortunately, some of the more than 51,000 claims filed since March have proven to be fraudulent.	May 2020 Storm Safety While on the Road When at home during stormy weather, Oklahomans understand all too well the importance of paying attention to news media updates and the family plan to head to a safe location when tornado sirens sound. Knowing what to do on the road is a different matter, however.
May 2020 Oklahoma Home and Community Education Education Has Big Impact Whether it is raising funds to provide scholarships for 4-H Youth, planting trees to beautify the community or sewing thousands of cloth face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic, members of the Oklahoma Home and Community Education group are ready to help. Established in 1935, the group is celebrating its service to Oklahoma families and communities May 3-9 during Oklahoma Home and Community Education Week.	April 2020 Grassroots Volunteers Sew Thousands of Masks Although socially isolated due to coronavirus, a collection of volunteers connected to Oklahoma State University have united to sew more than 27,500 face masks for healthcare workers and others across the state of Oklahoma – and the work is ongoing.
April 2020 Be Wary of Fraudulent COVID-19 Supplement Claims While many people are doing their part by social distancing in an effort to remain healthy and protect the community, there are others looking to make a quick buck. Those fraudulent marketers are popping up and promoting various products that claim to help prevent or treat COVID-19, said Janice Hermann, Oklahoma State University Extension nutrition specialist.	April 2020 National Volunteer Week - April 19-25, 2020 The ultimate mission for Oklahoma Home and Community Education Inc. is to help members be well-informed and able to handle changes in their homes and communities. OHCE members and master volunteers from the Family and Consumer Sciences unit of OSU Extension have shown the entire state just how well-equipped they are to handle change. In years to come, when the country looks back on this challenging period, OSU Extension will be a shining example of volunteerism.
April 2020 Long-Term Care Residents: Rights & Resources During the COVID-19 pandemic, the World is taking precautions to minimize health complications. This is especially important for the most vulnerable populations.	April 2020 Co-Parenting During the COVID-19 Pandemic With the entire country practicing social distancing, the COVID-19 pandemic has created unusual, and often difficult, situations for parents who share joint custody of their children.
April 2020 The Proper Way to Use Hand Sanitizer When using hand sanitizer, it's important to do so the right way and follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.	April 2020 Parenting Through the COVID-19 Pandemic With all of the new information being shared about the Coronavirus that causes COVID-19, it is easy for parents to become overwhelmed. More time at home with family members can be positive, but the expanding roles of parents as teachers, child care providers and more can cause stress for the whole family.
April 2020 DIY Face Coverings/Masks Cloth face coverings (masks) provide a physical barrier that reduces the transfer of airborne droplets which cause respiratory infections. A face covering can be constructed with or without a sewing machine.	April 2020 CARES Act Provides Some Financial Relief The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economics Security Act signed into law in late March will provide some financial relief for many Americans, including those with student loans and those collecting unemployment benefits.
April 2020 Read Fine Print of Loan Forbearance Agreements As part of the COVID-19 financial relief efforts, some creditors are offering forbearance on some loan payments for a few months. That could be a good deal for some consumers, but they must read the fine print of the agreement, said Cindy Clampet, Oklahoma State University Extension assistant family resource management specialist.	April 2020 Ingredient Substitutions There are times when you will be out of a certain ingredient needed for the recipe you plan to make. Rather than change plans, you may be able to substitute a similar product and still end up with a satisfactory, if slightly different, product.
April 2020 Parenting Teens During the Coronavirus Pandemic The Coronavirus pandemic is affecting families and individuals across the world. With schools closed for children and teenagers, and parents working from home, it can be difficult for all members of the family to adjust.	April 2020 How Parents Can Help School-Aged Children Through the COVID-19 Pandemic With emergency measures in place to slow the spread of the infection caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19), it has become more likely that children will be homebound for the coming weeks or months. While time with family members and activities at home can be very positive, this change can contribute to changes in diet, physical activity, sleep patterns, and stress and anxiety.
April 2020 Immune System Tips Offered While medical researchers worldwide race to develop a cure for COVID-19, people can work to strengthen their immune systems and stay as healthy as possible, said Janice Hermann, Oklahoma State University Extension nutrition specialist.	April 2020 Tips to Prepare for Spring Storm Season If there is one thing Oklahomans know about, it is the importance of being prepared for storm season. While we can experience storms throughout the year, springtime is when things start to ramp up.
March 2020 COVID-19 Shows Importance of Emergency Financial Plans The coronavirus pandemic has driven home the importance of financial management and emergency savings accounts, said Cindy Clampet, assistant family resource management specialist with the Oklahoma State University Extension.	March 2020 OHCE Groups Put Sewing Skills to Good Use for Local Hospital Members of the Oklahoma Home and Community Education group in Ada, Oklahoma, are putting their sewing skills to good use in an effort to help the healthcare practitioners at their local hospital.
March 2020 What to Do About Your Retirement Account During a Financial Emergency If you have a retirement account either provided by your employer or funded by yourself (or both), you may be aware of a certain amount of loss in your account you have probably incurred recently because of market volatility due to the COVID-19 virus. Most retirement funds which have a lot of investment in the stock market are being affected by the COVID-19 virus causing an economic slow-down. There are several other reasons for the market volatility at this time, however.	March 2020 Children need support facing tornadoes and virus Parents struggling with the question of how to prepare children for the COVID-19 threat probably already have plenty of experience to tap into, Oklahoma State University professor Laura Hubbs-Tait said. Tornado season.
March 2020 Q&A: Impacts of COVID-19 on the Food Industry Q&A: Impacts of COVID-19 on the Food Industry	March 2020 Getting Through a Financial Emergency No one knows for sure, but experts say the economy may be impacted for months while we wait for the COVID-19 virus to run its course. If you have a financial emergency due to lost wages, there are a few ways to lessen its effects.
March 2020 Shopping for Food Safely During Coronavirus Pandemic Most everyone is familiar with stocking up on a few extra essentials during storm season. However, with cases of COVID-19 continuing to rise, people are finding themselves social distancing for longer periods of time.	March 2020 Eat Right, Bite by Bite, is Theme of National Nutrition Month Since 1973, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has encouraged people to make informed food choices and develop sound eating and physical activity habits. What started as National Nutrition Week 47 years ago became a month-long celebration in March 1980. For National Nutrition Month® in March 2020, the theme is Eat Right, Bite by Bite, and promotes eating a variety of nutritious foods every day.
February 2020 Protect Yourself from Identity Theft During Tax Season It is tax season again, that time of year that almost everyone divulges personal information about their financial life to outsiders. It is a perfect time for scammers and thieves to take your information and wreak havoc on your well-being.	January 2020 The Power of Dairy Foods The beginning of a new year is a great time to set some personal goals. Your goals could be developing a financial plan, setting aside designated family time or taking steps toward better health. If you are going to focus on better health, take note of the power of dairy foods.
December 2019 Create Holiday Memories With Kids in the Kitchen Ah, the holidays. For many families, this means spending time in the kitchen preparing tasty family recipes. It also is the perfect time to teach children about cooking, nutrition and food safety.	December 2019 Handling Forced Affection During the Holidays The holiday season is a time for many Oklahomans to see extended family and friends. In some cases, visitors come here, while others head out on a holiday adventure. For some children, these visits can mean lots of hugs and kisses from well-meaning family members and friends. It is important to help children understand what is comfortable and not comfortable for them.
December 2019 "Dine In" with us on December 3, Family & Consumer Sciences Day! Since 2014, nearly half a million people have committed to "Dining In" on Family & Consumer Sciences (FCS) Day! AAFCS honors Founder Ellen Swallow Richards by celebrating FCS Day on her birthday. Through the FCS Day initiative, AAFCS provides information, tools, and research on benefits of families preparing and eating healthy meals together.	November 2019 National Family Caregivers Month Observed The leaves are changing colors, the weather is cooling off and Thanksgiving is on the horizon. This is a good time to focus on recognizing, honoring and thanking those who provide care for someone who is aging, disabled or chronically ill.
October 2019 Co-Parenting Team Garners Two Big Awards The State Co-Parenting Team, including Matt Brosi, Ron Cox, Katey Masri and Brooke Montoya, won two big awards at the annual NEAFCS conference recently in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The group’s entry in the Communications Educational Curriculum Package category, Co-Parenting for Resilience: A Trauma Informed Approach to Overcoming the Challenges of Divorce took first place as both the national winner and the southern region winner. In addition, the same materials also captured first nationally and first in the southern region in the Human Development/Family Relationships Award category. Congratulations to these Fab 4!	October 2019 Fire Safety Tips for Multigenerational Households To make sure your home is ready in the event of a fire emergency, Peek said there are some things families need to do now.
September 2019 Childhood Obesity a Growing Problem in Oklahoma Obesity has been a health issue facing many Oklahomans over the years. Unfortunately, it also is a health concern for many children across the state.	August 2019 Self Care is Vital for Parents Experiencing Divorce The experience of divorce can cause feelings of loss, grief, anxiety and anger. Some parents attempt to keep busy in order to avoid experiencing these negative feelings.
July 2019 Food Labels Often Mislead Consumers If you take a stroll down any aisle in the grocery store, consumers will see all kinds of food labels touting products as being healthy choices. Cholesterol-free produce, gluten-free water, natural soda, 100 percent whole-grain cookies and non-GMO carrots are just a few examples of the many claims shoppers may see on the food packages in the United States.	June 2019 Sunscreen Guidelines to Help Keep Your Skin Protected School is out and summer vacation is well underway. this means people will be spending more time in the great outdoors. Wearing sunscreen is one way to protect yourself from sun exposure. There are so many different kinds available, and what do those numbers really mean?
May 2019 Physical activity is important for people of all ages! Consuming a healthy diet certainly is one way to maintain your health. However, being physically active is just as important.	February 2019 This American Heart Month: Pledge to Move with Heart! Take a stroll down the candy aisle at your local grocery store and you will see shelves chock full of big red hearts filled with chocolates. It is February, the month of love and Valentine's Day. It is also a time to consider the risks of heart disease as the country observes National Heart Month.
January 2019 Teaching Kids to be Conscious Consumers Did your children receive money for a Christmas gift? If so, it is probably burning a hole in their pockets right now. They are thinking about the ways they will spend it, as soon as mom or dad has time to take them to the store.	December 2018 Handling Forced Affection During the Holidays The holiday season is a time for many Oklahomans to see extended family and friends. In some cases, those family members from afar come here to visit, while other families pack their bags to head out on a holiday adventure. For some children, these visits can mean lots of hugs and kisses from well-meaning family members and friends, said Laura Hubbs-Tait, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension parenting specialists.
November 2018 Healthy Eating for the Holidays The holiday season is a time to bring out old family favorite recipes for sweet treats, homemade pies and savory dishes like buttery mashed potatoes and herbed stuffing. While some of these foods may not be great for the waist line, following a few simple tips will help you eat healthy during the holidays and still enjoy your favorite foods.	October 2018 USDA, Cooperative Extension, and APLU Award Top Honors in Extension Excellence and Diversity Congratulations Dr. Cox! He will be a recipient of the National Extension Diversity Award at APLU's 131st Annual Meeting in November.
October 2018 OSU awarded $3.9 million from CDC to target obesity in Oklahoma Oklahoma State University has been awarded nearly $4 million over the next five years by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to tackle Oklahoma’s obesity crisis. Adair and Muskogee counties in eastern Oklahoma will be the initial counties targeted by this project.	September 2018 Co-Parenting: The Unique Role of Fathers No matter how often dads see their children after divorce or separation, there are specific things that can not only build the relationship between fathers and their children, but help children cope with stressors related to their new routines.
September 2018 Be food safe Four easy lessons to prevent harmful bacteria from making your family sick.	September 2018 Fake Facts about Food Safety Myths about food safety and how to reduce your foodborne illness risk
September 2018 Cozy up to cold weather by preparing your home for fall and winter It should not be too long until Oklahomans feel that distinct crispness in the air, which points to the arrival of college football season, otherwise known as fall.	2018 OHCE State Meeting OHCE's 83^rd annual meeting was fun and informative! Check out our photo albums and resources: Professional photos OHCE 2017-18 member activities Awards Ceremony presentation The above links will take you to the photo albums on our Facebook page. Share with others, and "plant the seeds of OHCE!"
Summer 2018 Hydration is essential, especially during summer. Everyone looks forward to summer vacation and spending more time outdoors. However, Oklahoma’s extreme temperatures can easily put you at risk for dehydration. It is very easy to underestimate how much water you need to drink to stay properly hydrated, especially when you are on the on vacation, said Janice Hermann, Oklahoma State University nutrition specialist. click here to read more.	Summer 2018 Summer vacation doesn't always mean plane tickets and passports! One of the highlights of summer for many families is taking a vacation. Take a good look in or around your hometown and chances are you will find something for your family... click here to read more.
May 2018 Promoting resilience with the United We Can! program Our population is continuing to grow. What is different from past growth is that over the next 50 years, estimates suggest 88 percent of the United States’ population growth will be from immigrants and their offspring. For more information, go to /outreach/fcs/PDFMay.pdf.	May 2018 Let's be active! Did you know May is National Physical Fitness Month? Here you can find a few exercises you can do to be more active.
Early trailblazers helped ensure Extension serves all Oklahomans February 2018 For more than 100 years, the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service has been fulfilling its mission of enhancing the lives of all Oklahomans.	February is American Heart Month February 2018 February is a month filled with love, cupids and hearts full of chocolates. But it also is a time to take a good look at your heart health.
De-cluttering your home for the holidays December 2017 With the holiday season in full swing, many Oklahomans are making the trip to the attic or storage building to bring out the decorations. Boxes of ornaments, wreaths, the family heirloom nativity set and other items are a must for your holiday decorating.	Serving up cookbooks as holiday gifts December 2017 Wondering what to get the foodie on your holiday list? Or perhaps you are stumped on what to give the hard-to-shop-for friend or family member. Our OSU Cooperative Extension food specialist, Dr. Barbara Brown, may have the answer for you!
Peek’s grant leads to healthy homes app October 2017 Oklahoma State University associate professor in design, housing and merchandising and housing and consumer specialist Gina Peek spurred the development of a mobile phone app to identify home health hazards. Four members who were recognized recently for completing 20 years of service to The Botanic Garden at OSU are Joyce McKee, Judy Henderson, Carol Solick and Merry Alexander, all of Stillwater. They were honored with a personalized brick on the Walk of Fame at the garden located west of Stillwater.	Lincoln County Extension helps Iowa Tribe youth learn how cool pumpkins (and the kids themselves) really are November 2017 TRYON, Oklahoma – Kitchen safety, good nutrition, gardening for food and Native American history were all on the menu Nov. 14 as Iowa Tribe youth working with the Lincoln County Extension Office used the making of pumpkin bread to develop lifelong skills while learning more about themselves and America’s native tribes in the process.
Oklahoma school nutrition professionals earn a chance to work with trained chef September 2017 School nutrition professionals from 15 Oklahoma schools and school districts will team up with a trained chef this summer to cook up fresher, tastier cafeteria offerings and whip up a sweeter overall dining experience.	4-H Bean Supper and Carnival going strong for 39 years October 2017 Hurricanes Harvey and Irma left a wide path of destruction across Texas and Florida. Now that the forceful winds are dying down, cities and towns in both states are dealing with massive flooding. STILLWATER, Okla. – The Oklahoma 4-H Youth Development Program is steeped in history. The program itself started in 1909. State 4-H Roundup, the largest 4-H event in the state, began in 1921. It is easy to see 4-H history runs deep in the roots of Oklahoma.
A fresh approach to fighting hunger September 2017 Jeff Marlow can tell you 100 different ways to re-purpose that rotisserie chicken you picked up at the local grocery store.	Co-parenting class helps show dads the importance of reading to kids August 2017 What happens when you combine some children’s books with helpful, research-based information and put it all in a fun, handmade book bag made from a recycled t-shirt?
Protecting your skin from the sun July 2017 Getting in a little fun in the sun is a summertime treat, but protecting your skin from exposure to ultraviolet rays while outdoors is no laughing matter.	Pay attention to children’s media use during the summer July 2017 With summer’s arrival and the less hectic pace it brings for families compared to the school year, it may be tempting for parents to allow children to watch a little more television or play that video game a little longer.