UGA Cooperative Extension

Polk County Extension Office:
Family & Consumer Sciences

Polk County does not currently have a Family and Consumer Sciences Agent ; however, we will be glad to find any information you need through our surrounding FACS Agents. You can visit the University of Georgia FACS website for information as well.

College of Family and Consumer Sciences

Families Are Our Future

The family is the foundation of a positive, caring society. Healthy families tend to produce healthy children who mature into responsible, contributing adults. Our nation's future rests on the building blocks of strong families:

Mothers who understand prenatal care and nutrition
Healthy, thriving children whose parents know how to care for them
Responsible, self-sufficient families and individuals who contribute to better communities
Families that have adequate clothing, housing, and food

Education Can Make A Difference

Strengthening American families, the corner-stone of a healthy America, has long been a goal of The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service. For more than 75 years, Extension family and consumer Sciences educational programs have helped families develop the skills to choose nutritious foods, manage resources, provide quality care for children and dependent elderly, and become community leaders.

With this in mind the Family and Consumer Sciences Agent serving Area 14 (Polk, Carroll and Haralson Counties) provides programming, and family education opportunities in the following areas:

Child Care Providers

Up to 21 hours of programming that meets the DHR licensing requirements is available on topics like Child Development, Nutrition, Guidance, Classroom Management, Food Safety, Health, and Learning.

Basic Living Skills

A newly developed statewide curriculum will help agents teach Financial Management, Job Skills, Food and Nutrition, Housing, Human Development, and Clothing. Agents respond to phone calls on each topic, and present seminars to groups upon request.

Food Preservation and Safety

Extension has been known since its inception for reliable knowledge on the latest methods of food preservation and safety. Agents respond daily on a wide variety of home food processing and safety questions. Information is available by phone, through free loan video tapes, and printed material.

Family Nutrition Program

Poverty, malnutrition, and high risk for disease are closely correlated. This program provides nutrition education to low income individuals and families, in an effort to improve food choices, food buying habits, and food safety.

Parenting

Agents will collaborate with local agencies and organizations to teach Parenting Education to trainers. Parents may also enroll in Principles of Parenting, a self-study course designed for busy parents who prefer to study on their own.

Why do Georgians need to take charge and change their eating habits?

Heart disease is the number one cause of deaths in Georgia.
Georgia has a 10% higher death rate for heart disease than the national rate.
It can take 20 to 30 years to develop heart disease, adult onset diabetes, and cancer.
Heart disease, some cancers, diabetes, high blood pressure, and stroke all have been shown to be linked to a person's eating habits, nutrition status, and activity level.
Georgia has the highest increase of obesity in the nation.
These simple lifestyle changes can help prevent these diseases in ourselves, our families, friends, and all Georgians: eat more fruits and vegetables, eat less fat, and be more active.