Happy Holidays!

As the winter holidays approach, it’s the perfect time to treasure moments with loved ones and reflect on all the things we’re grateful for this past year. We know life gets busy, and it’s not always easy to find the time to express love and appreciation to the special people in our lives—be they parents, grandparents, kids, spouses, siblings, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, family friends, or even our beloved pets.

But don’t worry! This month’s newsletter is here to inspire you with ideas to bring your family closer, no matter the distance. Let’s start with a simple activity: take a moment, close your eyes, and jot down three things you’re grateful for and three people who make your life better.

Here at the Family and Consumer Education Program, we’re dedicated to supporting you and your family. Our team offers workshops and resources designed to make family life even more rewarding. From parenting tips and financial literacy to wellness education, we’re here to help you thrive.

Here’s a peek at what’s happening:

Parenting and Support Education (PASE): Weekly classes (or intensive workshops) to help improve communication and build stronger connections at home and beyond.
Relatives as Parent Program (RAPP): Designed to encourage and promote the provision of services for grandparents and other (kinship) relatives who have taken on the responsibility of surrogate parenting because the parents are unable or unavailable to parent their children.
Fish Advisory: Learn about safe, consumable fish from the Hudson River—because knowledge is power (and tasty!).

Let’s make this holiday season not just festive, but meaningful, with heartwarming moments spent with those who matter most. Be sure to dive into this newsletter for helpful tips, activities, and upcoming events to keep your season bright and connected.

Here’s to a warm, joyful winter filled with gratitude and togetherness!

Family & Parenting

This holiday season, let the kids get creative and have fun in the kitchen with these 12 kid friendly Christmas recipes that are super easy to make.

Click here to explore!

Christmas is coming up, and if you’re the kind of teen that likes to whip out your crafting scissors, then this is the list for you. Doing DIY projects is a great way to celebrate the festive season.

Click here to read more!

RAPP (Relatives As Parents Program)

December means the Annual RAPP Holiday Party! This is a time we share a family-style feast with music, games, crafts and prizes!

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.

We also have sponsorship opportunities that enhances the opportunities for the families we work with.

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

The New York State Department of Health has developed many free materials to convey the health advice on eating Hudson fish, including brochures!

Use this link to download this free resource:

Hudson Valley Region: Health Advice on Eating Fish You Catch (#6545) This booklet provides health advice on eating fish caught from Westchester, Rockland, Orange, Putnam, Dutchess, Ulster, Greene, Columbia, Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady, Saratoga and Washington counties.

Always check the Hudson River Fish Advisory Outreach Project website for the most current information!

CORRECTION from the November FCE Update:

Recreational and commercial fishing for American shad is prohibited in the Hudson River
Bluefish may not make it as far as Dutchess County within the Hudson River.
Fall striped bass tend to be the most contaminated and we do not encourage eating.

PASE (Parent And Support Education)

The Parent and Support Education (PASE) Workshop is a 5- week series or can be a 1-day intensive workshop experience.

This Adult Workshop Series focuses on Communcation within the family:

“Encouragement”
“Can Do” and “Decision Making”
“Self-Control” and “Respect Feelings”
Positive Discipline
Co-Parenting

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.)

Please contact Heather at 845-677-8223 ext. 156 to schedule this program for your organization before the end of the year!

SAVE THE DATE

#CCEResponds: 2024 Giving Tuesday Campaign

Tuesday, December 3, 2024

Throughout the year, Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County responds directly to the needs of our community. On Giving Tuesday, will you respond to our call for support?

CLICK HERE TO GIVE

TURN YOUR SUPPORT INTO ACTION

Support FCE by contributing ideas, collaborating, and driving initiatives in parenting, health, and nutrition.

Volunteer Opportunity: Deepen your community involvement by joining our Advisory Council.
Commitment: A few meetings per year plus fun events like picnics and parties!

Contact Jessica at 845-677-8223 ext 137 to learn more.

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

LaQuan Rosario

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!