Autumn is the perfect season for outdoor family activities like apple picking, hiking to enjoy the changing leaves, and pumpkin picking. While you're out having fun, it's important to stay safe from ticks, which remain active in the fall and can carry diseases like Lyme and Babesiosis. Follow these tips from the USDA to protect yourself and your loved ones:

Stick to the center of trails and avoid areas with tall grass or piles of leaves.
Apply repellents containing at least 20% DEET, picaridin, or IR3535 to exposed skin for lasting protection.
Treat your clothing and gear with products containing permethrin, or opt for pre-treated items like boots, pants, socks, and tents.
Don’t forget to protect your pets! Dogs are especially vulnerable to tick bites and can bring ticks into your home. Use tick collars, sprays, shampoos, or monthly treatments to keep them safe.
After spending time outdoors, bathe or shower as soon as you can to help wash off and spot any ticks before they bite.
Perform a thorough tick check using a mirror, and help children check their bodies as well. Remove any ticks immediately.
Tumble dry your clothes on high heat for 10 minutes after coming indoors to kill any ticks on dry clothing. If your clothes are damp, they may need more time.

For more information about ticks, click here!

Planning to hike the Hudson Valley? Check out this list of local trails and make sure to learn how to avoid poisonous plants while you're out there!

Black Poetry Day Resources

October 17 is annually recognized as Black Poetry Day to honor the contributions of Black poets and writers throughout this country’s history, both past and present. With that in mind, we’ve gathered a number of resources for you to check out to celebrate Black Poetry Day.

Source: Black Poetry Day Resources - The American Writers Museum

Family & Parenting

25 Fall Activities for Kids That Your Family Will Love All Season Long from Parents.com:

As the days begin to get shorter and a chill hits the air, you can be sure that fall is on its way. With the change in seasons approaching, it's time to start thinking about all the fun fall activities for kids there are to choose from.

No matter how free and relaxing the summer is, there’s just something about fall that makes us welcome the change in seasons. Autumn is a time to slow down and readjust into life’s regular routines.

Click here for the complete article!

Want to know where the best cider donuts in the Hudson Valley are? Check out this article from Hudson Valley Parent to find out!

RAPP (Relatives As Parents Program)

Stay tuned for coverage of our annual

apple picking and cider donut celebration respite event that is happing the day after this newsletter is released. It's a beloved family-friendly event that families and staff look forward to every year!

Do you KNOW a "kinship Family"? These families are eligible for county and state support!

Please contact Jessica 845-677-8223 ext. 137 for more information or to make a referral.

The Relatives As Parents Program is a free community-based program that works with families throughout Dutchess County providing educational workshops, peer support groups, respite events, inter-generational activities, referrals and resources for non-parent caregivers raising children. RAPP staff works with non-parent caregivers and their children to provide a fun, safe, welcoming space for them to connect with other families in situations similar to their own.

FISH ADVISORY

Download your FREE Fish Identification Poster

Fishing is fun, and fish are an important part of a healthy diet. Fish contain high quality protein, essential nutrients, healthy fish oils, and are low in saturated fat. However, some fish contain chemicals at levels that may be harmful to health. To help people make healthier choices about which fish to eat, the New York State Department of Health (NYS DOH) issues advice about eating sportfish (the fish you catch).

Click here to download yours today or check out our information page.

Click the image to download

PASE (Parent And Support Education)

Red Hook Community Center is hosting a Parent & Support Education (PASE) 1-Day Intensive on Saturday, October 19th from 10-2p.

Participants are parents who contribute to the conversation through discussion, role-play and practice. A certificate of completion is provided after successfully attending and contributing. (This does not meet any court ordered requirement and is strictly voluntary.)

RCHH will provide on-site childcare!

Click here for complete information and to register through the RHCC website!

Please contact Heather at 845-677-8223 ext. 156 to schedule this program for your organization!

Click the images below for full event information!

Taught by Town of Poughkeepsie Police Officers

6:00 PM

Emergency Response

392 Creek Road, Poughkeepsie

www.dutchessny.gov/WomensSafety or click the image above.

Taste NY at Todd Hill:2024 Guide to Dutchess County Apple Orchards this season!

Click the image below for full event flyer.

Have an event or update for the Family & Consumer Education audience you want to share? Send a response email!

The Family and Consumer Education (FCE) program strives to ensure that families facing challenges in parenting, family finances, and wellness and nutrition find the resources and education they need to improve their lives.

FCE creates connections for residents with the latest, evidence-based research and practical information that can be directly applied to their day-to-day lives.

We work to strengthen individual knowledge and skills while providing community level and County wide education.

Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities. This program is partially funded by the County of Dutchess, Dutchess County office for the Aging, and New York State Office of Children and Family Services. Please contact the Cornell Cooperative Extension office if you have any special needs.

Wishes would come true with you! FCE needs ongoing supplies for our parenting programs. Click here to see how you can enhance our programming today!

Need to reach a member of the team?

Jessica M Canale- Program Leader

Heather L. Ohlson

Francheska Kuilan

Click here for previous FCE Update: Newsletters!

Thanks for your support and collaboration!

Are you a collaborative program or agency that needs information shared to the FCE community? Email Heather!

**The Family & Consumer Education Program counts entirely on grants and donations to maintain and grow the services we offer throughout Dutchess County. Click the button below to see how you can contribute to maintaining the success of these initiatives!

Your direct support: donations, sponsorship and underwriting matter!

Please help! **

SUPPORT FCE!