A Monthly On-Line Newletter for Home*A*Syst Coordinators, Partners and Friends
At Home with the National OfficeAn invitation: Attend and learn from the week long science teachers in-service, Science and Our Home: Safe and Healthy. Once again, I will facilitate this course that demonstrates healthy homes topics to teachers. I invite any interested Home*A*Syst coordinators or friends to attend. Perhaps you know of an enthusiastic county educator who could use this as a model for a similar course in your state? Promo materials for the course read: "Our health departments urge us to look out for lead, be careful about radon, protect water and air quality, control germs, and prevent injuries. Science tells us that we can do a lot to prevent house-related health problems, and students can be enthusiastic teachers of parents and peers about these issues. That's why Wisconsin teachers will gather for a week-long (July 10-14, 2000) Wisconsin Teacher Enhancement in Biology (WisTEB) course: "Science and Your Home: Safe and Healthy." Teachers will hear from experts and make a home visit to learn how house-related environmental health risks, such as lead paint poisoning, food borne illnesses and asthma, can be prevented or reduced. By training teachers, we set the stage for classroom-based activities designed to take these messages home." Last year's course was featured on television and at national conferences. Anyone interested? Contact me, Kadi, at: (608) 265-2774, krow@facstaff.wisc.edu |
$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ FUNDING OPPORTUNITY $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $TITLE: MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE BUILDING ASSETS FUND GRANTSDEADLINE: Postmarked February 14, 2000 PURPOSE: To provide funding for initiatives that enhance the well-being of families and that support the program of the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) MORE INFO: http://www.aafcs.org or call 703.706.4600 |
While state Home*A*Syst programs are supported primarily by existing staff in Extension Water Quality and Family Living program areas, the largest financial supporter for state programs year after year are EPA's Non-Point Source Pollution Funds (319 Funds). Not surprisingly, those states receiving specific program funds are demonstrating some real impacts. Here, we feature Tennessee's accomplishments.
George Smith, Professor, Resource Development, working with a team made up of Extension specialists concerned about the environment, secured a 319 US EPA grant through the Tennessee Department of Agriculture to develop Home*A*Syst. The team chose to modify the national materials, making them state-specific and printing them in an individual fact sheet fashion combined in an attractive folder. As the Extension Housing Specialist in Tennessee, Home*A*Syst Coordinator Martha Keel brings a wide breadth of knowledge in program areas key to Home*A*Syst.
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Production of Tennessee's materials didn't stop with the fact sheets. Clean Water Team member Karin Beuerlein designed a video to promote the Home*A*Syst program to Tennessee homeowners. The video won a national bronze award this year from the Agricultural Communicators in Education Critique and Awards program. Copies have been distributed to all Tennessee counties where Extension agents have volunteered to participate in a Home*A*Syst training session. Beuerlein also headed up development of a high school curriculum based on Home*A*Syst.
Using the fact sheets as a basis, students conduct topic specific web research, participate in an in-class activity, and take the relevant assessment tool home to complete it with their families. The lesson plans are appropriate for 4-H agents, volunteers and teachers.
Visit Tennessee's website to view clips.
image from TN Home*A*Syst video
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Tennessee has been effective in documenting impacts. Each Home*A*Syst packet includes a survey asking users to assess the program's effectiveness and make suggestions for its improvement. These can be mailed back to Extension free of charge. Based on the number of user surveys returned as of Fall 1999, nearly 800 Tennessee households have completed the program.
From survey responses, program coordinators can identify areas of high risk. Indoor air, household waste and hazardous household products were most often identified as risks. Over 90% of respondents said the program increased their awareness of the impact of household activities on the environment. 85% said the program was useful and over 76% would recommend Home*A*Syst to another.
At the National Home*A*Syst Office, we're pleased to have Martha Keel serving on our national Steering Committee. We look forward to incorporating what they've learned in Tennessee into our long range plans for Home*A*Syst. For more information, contact Martha Keel, Ag Extension Service, University of Tennessee, PO Box 1071, Knoxville, TN 37901, Phone: 423.974.8197, E-mail: mkeel@utk.edu.
PAST ISSUES OF THE THRESHOLDAugust 1999 - New York works with EFNEPSeptember 1999 - Wisconsin HAS and Native American Nation October 1999 - Michigan improves its program November 1999 - New Jersey works with watersheds |
© 2000 by the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System doing business as the division of Cooperative Extension of the University of Wisconsin-Extension. UW-Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title IX requirements. UW-Extension programs are open to all persons without regard to race, color, ethnic background, or economic circumstances. All rights reserved.
Comments may be directed to Kadi Row, krow@facstaff.wisc.edu.
Created by Janice Kepka, jkepka@facstaff.wisc.edu.
