Local Family and Consumer Science Programs

Credit and Debt Management

Credit and Debt Management is a two-hour workshop where we will discuss a variety of topics including the use of credit, sources of credit, finance charges, cost of borrowing, how to reduce the cost of credit, reducing your debt, debit cards, gift cards and communication with creditors.

If you are interested in this workshop and would like more information, please contact Glenn Sturm at 804-693-2602 or gjsturm@vt.edu.

Identity Theft

This is a one hour workshop that focuses on discussing what Identity Theft is, what are the methods of Identity Theft, how it happens, how to minimize the risk, and in a worst case scenario – what to do if you fall victim. Participants will also work through an Identity Theft “test” to gauge their current risk and discuss how to minimize those identified risks.

This program may be scheduled by appointment. If you are interested in having this program offered for your organization or group and/or would like more information, please contact Glenn Sturm at 804-693-2602 orgjsturm@vt.edu.

Budgeting and Personal Finance Workshop

This is one-day personal finance workshop with the goal to improve the financial knowledge of the participants, and providing them valuable information and the framework to create their own spending plan. This is a single-day 2 hour class that discusses the basic but core information regarding the following topics – values and goals, spending leaks, creating a spending plan, tracking expenses, what is credit and what are the pros and cons, debit cards, credit reports, talking about money with your family, and tips to cutting costs.

This program may be scheduled by appointment and there is no registration fee associated with this course. If you are interested in this course and would like more information, please contact Glenn Sturm at 804-693-2602 or gjsturm@vt.edu.

Financial Counseling

We provide education for those looking to set up a spending plan and manage their debt. We will help individuals and families with financial planning, help them uncover spending leaks, and educate them on their options. If you are interested in 1-on-1 or family financial counseling, please contact Glenn Sturm at 804-693-2602 or gjsturm@vt.edu, to set up an appointment. There is no fee and flexible hours for appointment, however, we do not provide counseling at personal residences.

Cooking for Crowds

Cooking for Crowds was designed to show participants the food safety risks that develop when cooking large volumes of food and how to reduce those risks so that the food the group prepares is both safe and delicious. Although many of the food safety strategies recommended are similar to those recommended to commercial food establishments, the strategies have been translated into practical methods to meet the specific needs of non-commercial audiences, such as non-profit organizations and churches.

Reading the Nutrition Facts Label

Reading the Nutrition Facts Label is a short 30-45 minute workshop, based around an Arizona Cooperative Extension publication developed by Dr. Kay Hongu. The workshop takes a step-by-step approach to discuss serving sizes, counting calories, the health benefits and risks of the three macronutrients and other commonly listed nutrients, and the FDA’s Percent Daily Values.

Couponing 101 and Saving Money on Food

Couponing 101 is a single-day 45-60 minute workshop that discusses important coupon definition, how to be organized when couponing, maximizing coupon value and other ways to lower spending of food. This is designed to be an introductory class that provides new coupon users with the tools to reduce their food and grocery expenses.

Small Steps to Health and Wealth

Small Steps to Health and Wealth is a program designed to motivate participants to improve both their health and their finances by encouraging participants to set a health goal and/or a wealth goal and take action to achieve their goals by identifying small progress steps. This program consists of goal setting, a discussion of 20 similarities between health and personal finance issues and 25 suggested behavior change strategies that can be applied to either health, finances, or both. The impact of health on finances and finances on health is also explored. The program concludes with a discussion of seven key health and wealth success factors: attitude, automation, awareness/knowledge, control, environment, goals, and time. Participants are encouraged to share their successes.

Money Talk: A Financial Guide for Women

Money Talk is a program designed to teach women the basics of smart money management and address their unique financial needs. Each session will introduce participants to important financial terms that include hands on exercises to apply that information.

Right on the Money

Right on the Money is a four-session educational program that uses children's books to introduce kids ages 5-7 to financial concepts. If feasible, the program also has the ability to teach interested parents tools to help them positively influence their children's money skills, knowledge, and attitudes.

Walk-a-Weigh

Walk-a-Weigh is a researched-based, weight control curriculum developed by the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. This user-friendly program consists of education covering three areas: nutrition, physical activity, and healthy food and drink preparation. With more than 30 potential topics, done anywhere from 5 to 12 weeks, this is a very flexible curriculum able to meet the local community needs for nutrition and physical activity education. What makes this program different from other weight control programs, is that part of the class time is devoted to physical activity – which can be anything from walking after a presentation to a full cardio workout. Medical waivers may be required from participants.

Resume Writing and Interview Techniques

In this workshop we will discuss what to include and omit when writing a resume, and things to consider when preparing for an interview. We will also review example resumes to see strengths and weaknesses and go through a mock interview.

Giving to FCS

You can make a difference by contributing to the Virginia FCS Foundation Fund.