Alexandria, Va. – August 23, 2018 – Gayla Randel, CFCS, family and consumer sciences consultant for the Kansas Department of Education, was honored with the Chalkley-Fenn Public Policy Visiting Scholar Award at the recent American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) 109th Annual Conference & Expo in Atlanta, Ga.
The Chalkley-Fenn Public Policy Visiting Scholar Award was established in 1990 to honor Gladys Branegan Chalkley, president and treasurer of AAFCS from 1940-1942. The scholarship is also funded by a gift from the estate of Geraldine G. Fenn, a South Dakota native who was an Extension 4-H specialist in Montana. Today, it is supported by donations from AAFCS members who believe in public policy and the utility of civic engagement. The AAFCS Public Policy Community recommended, the Alliance for Family & Consumer Sciences leadership supported, and the AAFCS Board of Directors approved the Chalkley‐Fenn Public Policy Visiting Scholar Award for 2018 as a Request for Applications (RFA) to develop a national level family and consumer sciences public policy initiative/event that provides public policy skills development for students and professionals, allows students and professionals the opportunity to apply skills in affecting public policy, and advances the public policy impact for family and consumer sciences.
During Randel’s time as the Chalkley-Fenn Public Policy Visiting Scholar, she intends to spearhead an initiative to address issues surrounding the national presence of family and consumer sciences. Randel desires to bring these issues to the forefront of discussion among family and consumer sciences professionals, mobilize these professionals to advocate to policy makers regarding the necessity and validity of family and consumer sciences, and instate a consistent message concerning the value of the profession. Her efforts will also include at least three visits to Washington, D.C., building partnerships with policy makers and their staff, and creating an action plan with family and consumer sciences professionals that will span several years.
About the American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (AAFCS)
Based in the Washington, D.C., area, AAFCS is the only association for family and consumer sciences students and professionals across multiple practice settings and content areas. For more than 100 years, AAFCS has focused its mission on providing leadership and support for professionals whose work assists individuals, families, and communities in making more informed decisions about their well-being, relationships, and resources to achieve optimal quality of life. AAFCS members provide research-based knowledge about the topics of everyday life to help create healthy and sustainable families. These topics include human development, personal and family finance, housing and interior design, food science, nutrition and wellness, textiles and apparel, and consumer issues. AAFCS members are located nationwide, and include educators, administrators and managers, human service and business professionals, researchers, community volunteers, and consultants who develop research-based information and deliver programs on essential skills to help individuals and families be better prepared to live, work, and succeed in today’s complex and diverse world.
Field of Family & Consumer Sciences
Family and consumer sciences (FCS) draws from broad and diverse disciplines to develop and provide content and programs that help individuals become more effective critical thinkers and problem solvers. Through discovery and delivery of research-based knowledge, FCS professionals help individuals and families develop essential skills to successfully live and work in a complex world. Professionals in the field are uniquely qualified to speak on many critical issues affecting individuals and families, such as maintaining a healthy lifestyle, wisely managing personal and family finances, and creating supportive relationships with family members, friends, and co-workers. They are located nationwide in a variety of practice settings, including secondary schools, universities, government agencies, and businesses.
For more information, please contact:
Gwynn Mason
Sr. Director, Communications & Marketing, AAFCS
703-706-4613
gmason@aafcs.org
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