Professional Development Opportunities and Information
Although much of the work of family scientists remains consistent over time, research and professional resources can change dramatically because of the acceleration of scientific and technological progress. CSREES provides professional development information and opportunities for family science faculty, educators, and researchers in the field to assist them in remaining connected to current and emerging resources, colleagues, the profession, and society.
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Save the Date: 2009 Family Science Specialists’ Conference
The 2009 National Family Science Specialists’ Conference will be held April 21-24, 2009, in New Orleans, LA, and hosted by the LSU Agricultural Center. The conference theme is Circle of Influence: Discovery, Scholarship and Engagement through Family Science. Hotel reservations are open. A call for papers will be issued soon, along with additional conference details. Conference co-chairs are Diane Sasser and Cheri Gioe, both from the LSU Ag Center. They can be reached at 225–578–6701 for more information.
To view information from the 2007 National Conference, scroll down to view the text entitled Futuring for Families Think Tank and National Extension Family Life Specialists’ Conference.
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Futuring for Families Think Tank
In advance of the 2007 National Family Life Conference, CSREES national program leaders in Family Economics, Family Science, and Housing and Indoor Environments hosted a “Futuring for Families” (FFF) think tank in Atlanta, GA. Conference attendees with backgrounds in Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) disciplines shared their insights into how interdisciplinary programming can address the many and complex problems facing the nation’s families from an ecological or systems perspective. View graphic recordings and a brief article.
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Graphic Recordings from Futuring for Families Think Tank
CSREES National Program Leaders (NPLs) working in family and consumer science (FCS) disciplines place a high value on interdisciplinary FCS programming to address the many and complex problems facing the nation’s families from an ecological or systems perspective. In July 2007, CSREES NPLs in Family Economics, Family Science, and Housing and Indoor Environments hosted a “Futuring for Families” (FFF) Think Tank in Atlanta, Georgia to:
- Understand the benefits of addressing family issues from an interdisciplinary perspective;
- Gain exposure to integrated Extension programs with potential for national reach;
- Frame priorities for national program leadership and state and local application.
The think tank was held as a preconference to the National Extension Family Science Specialists’ Biennial Conference. Hosted by the College of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Georgia, specialists and administrators from all FCS disciplines assisted in facilitating the FFF event. Discussions and group consensus were captured in graphic recordings by Visual Logic of Atlanta.
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Shirley Gerrior chairs an ASN sponsored session, Nutrition Education for the Poor and Underserved
Shirley Gerrior, CSREES national program leader Human Nutrition, chaired an American Society for Nutrition (ASN)-sponsored session, “Nutrition Education for the Poor and Underserved,” on April 6 at Experimental Biology 2008, in San Diego, CA. The symposium helped establish a common language about food security, discussed the importance of food access and nutrition education to the health status of low-income populations, and identified the unique challenges and opportunities to serve the poor and underserved in America. USDA’s food and nutrition assistance programs and their roles in nutrition education are important to ensuring food security and improving nutritional status of Americans. Drs. Mark Nord (Economic Research Service), Mark Lino (Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion), Helen Chipman (CSREES), and Alice Lenihan (North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services) were the guest speakers. Symposium presentations and speaker information are online.
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The 2007 National Research Initiative (NRI) Annual Report is available
The 2007 National Research Initiative (NRI) annual report is now available on the CSREES Web site.
The report provides summaries of selected projects funded in Fiscal Year 2007 through NRI programs. It also presents impacts of selected projects funded in previous fiscal years. Extensive data are provided, including funding for each NRI program, recipient type, and a new feature showing student support through NRI projects. The annual report addresses NRI’s role in program implementation and outreach, interagency research, and USDA strategic goals.
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DigiTop, USDA’s Desktop Library
Did you know that you can access multiple databases through DigiTop, USDA’s digital desktop library? Establish a free account and receive citations and abstracts across academic disciplines. Search by author, topic, or keyword and open new doors to recent and historic scholarship. From the Digitop homepage, click on Databases on the left side.
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Jatunn Gibson reports on her CSREES scholarly visit
Jatunn Gibson was a visiting scholar at CSREES from February 4 to 22, 2008. Jatunn is a gerontology specialist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) at Auburn University. She worked directly with Dr. Caroline Crocoll, national program leader for the Family Science Research and Extension Program, to establish national- and federal-level contacts with organizations that place an emphasis on the aging population. Gibson visited with national leaders at CSREES and external organizations to get a better understanding of partnerships and methods of program delivery. The face-to-face contacts were beneficial to understanding the mission and vision of the organizations and the importance of collaborating at the national level.
Gibson participated in a “Lunch-and-Learn” seminar, assisting Crocoll and Brent Elrod, program specialist, as they provided CSREES employees with information concerning caregivers and the many issues that families face. Gibson also supported the family caregiving community during the national launch of eXtension. Gibson was excited to have the opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of the relationship from the state level at the ACES to national-level involvement with CSREES.
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Family Relations Interdisciplinary Journal of Applied Family Studies, Special Issue on Families and Health, Call for Papers
Call for Papers – Family Relations Interdisciplinary Journal of Applied Family Studies – Special Issue: Families and Health
The Family Relations Journal is a peer-reviewed journal seeking manuscripts for a Special Issue on “Families and Health.” Health is conceptualized broadly to include physical and mental illness, as well as positive domains of health such as wellness and vitality. Likewise, “family” is broadly conceived and includes diverse relationships and family forms. Papers addressing all topics in “families and health” are encouraged, including those pertaining to disease prevention, acute and chronic illnesses, and health promotion from a family perspective. Results of intervention studies that support family health are particularly encouraged. Papers are due by August 4, 2008 for publication in volume 58 (4) of Family Relations, October 2009. Download the pdf for more information.
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