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Happy New Year!
'Tis the season to cherish moments with family and friends as we gear up for a prosperous year ahead. In the midst of the festive hustle, taking a moment to express your love and gratitude to every special person in your life – be it moms, dads, kids, grandparents, grandchildren, spouses, partners, siblings, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, family friends, pets, or anyone else dear to your heart – can be a truly rewarding experience.
Our dedicated Family and Consumer Education program staff are committed to providing engaging and pertinent workshops that support families in parenting, financial literacy, and wellness education. Our overarching objective is to keep you informed about the exciting programs and events happening in our community.
We achieve this by hosting both online and in-person support groups, weekly education and support classes for parents seeking to enhance their communication skills both at home and beyond (PASE). Additionally, our financial literacy workshops cater to a broad audience, spanning ages 11 to senior citizens. These sessions cover the fundamentals of needs and wants, budgeting, saving, spending, and credit. For those seeking a deeper dive, we explore more advanced topics such as interest, credit scores, loans, and insights into financial scams.
Lastly, our wellness education segment sheds light on the consumption of fish in the Hudson River, providing vital information through our Fish Advisory program.
Our aim is to deliver workshops that captivate and empower families in their journey through parenting, financial literacy, and wellness education. We're excited to keep you in the loop about the vibrant programs and events shaping our community. Join us in making this new year a remarkable and fulfilling chapter for all!
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Parenting Resources from FCE Program
Maureen Rodriguez Callamari MLS, Parenting Educator
Parenting is a rewarding but challenging journey that requires constant learning and adaptation. There are many books and resources that can help you with different aspects of parenting, such as discipline, communication, mindfulness, and development. Here are some suggested parenting books and resources that you can find online or in your local library or bookstore. I hope they can help you along your parenting journey.
CCEDC Parenting Educator favorite picks:
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The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson. This book explains how your child’s brain works and how you can use neuroscience to help them grow, learn, and thrive.
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Good Inside: How to Raise a Child Who Listens, Learns, and Loves by Becky Kennedy. This book is based on the popular Instagram account of the same name, where clinical psychologist Becky Kennedy shares her tips and tools for positive parenting. She teaches you how to foster emotional intelligence, resilience, and self-esteem in your child.
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The Explosive Child: A New Approach for Understanding and Parenting Easily Frustrated, Chronically Inflexible Children by Ross W. Greene. This book is for parents who struggle with children who are prone to tantrums, meltdowns, and defiance. It shows you how to identify the underlying causes of your child’s behavior and how to collaborate with them to solve problems peacefully.
The Happiest Baby on the Block: The New Way to Calm Crying and Help Your Newborn Baby Sleep Longer by Harvey Karp. This book is a must-read for new parents who want to soothe their crying baby and help them sleep better. It introduces the concept of the “fourth trimester” and teaches you how to use the “five S’s” (swaddling, side/stomach position, shushing, swinging, and sucking) to trigger your baby’s calming reflex.
Resources:
Online parenting resources from Cornell University
Down loadable book from Cornel University
CCE Tompkins: abstract and resource pages
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Spotlight:
Unlocking Financial Empowerment: Adult Workshop Series
Heather Ohlson, Financial Literacy Educator
In a time where financial literacy is key to navigating life's complexities, the Family and Consumer Education (FCE) Program meets an immediate need by offering a vital workshop series designed specifically for adults. Recognizing the pressing need for adult financial literacy programming, the FCE Program addresses the gaps in knowledge surrounding goal setting, budgeting strategies, debt management, and monthly expenses.
Financial empowerment is the process of acquiring the knowledge, tools, and resources needed to gain control over one's financial life, make informed decisions, and build the skills and confidence necessary to achieve long-term financial goals.
Let's face it: adults often face unique financial challenges, from managing household budgets to navigating complex credit systems. The "Your Money, Your Goals" workshop series fills a crucial gap in financial literacy, empowering adults to make informed decisions and build a secure and planned financial future. By providing practical guidance on setting clear goals, understanding income dynamics, managing debts, and navigating the intricacies of credit reports, this program equips participants with the skills needed to confidently handle their finances.
Participants delve into goal setting, effective savings strategies, and mastering the art of managing income and paying bills. There is a constant focus on navigating the month and dealing with debts, ensuring financial stability throughout. The series also covers crucial aspects like understanding credit reports, choosing financial products wisely, and safeguarding against fraud. These topics are designed to build upon one another in a 360 view self-assessment; fostering a comprehensive understanding of financial empowerment. Commit to attending all four sessions to unlock the keys to financial well-being.
For more information and to enroll, visit FCE Program's Financial Literacy website page. This workshop is offered virtually two times a year and can be scheduled with local groups/organizations and can be tailored to the needs of your audience and the focus of your program.
Note: "Your Money, Your Goals: Financial Empowerment Resources" is a product of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.
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QR CODES SCAM ALERT
QR codes seem to be everywhere. You may have scanned one to see the menu at a restaurant or pay for public parking. And you may have used one on your phone to get into a concert or sporting event, or to board a flight. There are countless other ways to use them, which explains their popularity. Unfortunately, scammers hide harmful links in QR codes to steal personal information. Here’s what to know.
Click here for the full article!
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If you or your family qualify for SNAP, you qualify for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), too.
Contact a Community Energy Advisor at midhudsonenergychoices.org for more information or help filling out the application.
This is a great resource to share with neighbors, coworkers and family throughout New York State!
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Family Activities:
Snow Slime is super fun and easy to make. Let your child enjoy their slime or make these as gifts/party favors for a child’s winter birthday!
Click here for the details!
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A fun and social winter activity for you and your family is ICE FISHING! We have a number of great locations local to the Hudson Valley! Learn more about this popular and interesting hobby by clicking here! | |
Not sure how to keep the family entertained indoors throughout the winter? This link shares 50 indoor activities that would combat cabin fever. These include sensory games, quiet games which double as learning activities, energy busters, and more! | |
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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.
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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
Maureen Rodriguez Callamari
Amber Dunlavey
Heather L. Ohlson
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!
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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! | | | | |
