Annual State Conference

Rooted Together and Rising Stronger

July 16-18, Hilton Austin

Join us for the 2026 AAFCS-Texas Affiliate Annual Conference — a dynamic collaboration between the American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences–Texas Affiliate and the Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers Association of Texas (FCSTAT).

This year’s theme, “Rooted Together and Rising Stronger,” celebrates the enduring legacy and boundless potential of Family & Consumer Sciences professionals across Texas. Together, we will reflect on the deep roots that
have shaped our field — grounded in education, research, community service, and advocacy — while cultivating the wings that propel us into a future of innovation, leadership, and collaboration.

Over three inspiring days, participants will engage in meaningful sessions, hands-on workshops, and networking opportunities designed to strengthen professional practice, enhance personal growth, and elevate the visibility of FCS across every sector — from classrooms and extension programs to business, government, and community development.

Whether you are an educator, extension agent, industry professional, student, or advocate, this conference is your opportunity to reconnect with colleagues, rediscover your purpose, and reimagine what it means to make a difference in the lives of
individuals, families, and communities.

Join us July 16-18, 2026, as we honor the strong roots of our past and take flight toward an empowered future for Family & Consumer Sciences.

Registration Information

Registration can be found here.

You may notice a landing for the FCSTAT conference, but you are in the right place! The Texas Affiliate of AAFCS will hold our conference at the conclusion of the FCSTAT conference.

What does that mean?

Essentially, nothing will change for our conference. However, the goal is to increase our presence among FCS teachers by hosting our conference at the end of their conference.

How do I register?

Simply follow the link to the FCSTAT/TXAAFCS registration page. Click the red "REGISTER" box and scroll to the bottom for the registration entry. You will see prompts that may not be applicable to AAFCS members. If they do not apply or you are unsure, please enter "N/A" or "0" to proceed through the registration. Once you have completed the prompts, click "NEXT" to select the conference. You can select all conference registrations, including TXAAFCS, FCSTAT, and TAFE. If you are only planning on attending the AAFCS conference, select "2026 Early AAFCS-TX ONLY (more) $225". You can also donate additional funds to the AAFCS HUGS fund, AAFCS Say Yes to FCS campaign, AAFCS Special Donation, or the AAFCS Student Travel Scholarship.

Early Bird Registration ends of $225 ends on June 4, 2026.

Please reach out to txaafcs@gmail.com or any Board Member for additional support. We are here to help ease the registration process as we navigate this new, exciting partnership with FCSTAT.

Conference Schedule

Are you ready to grow, connect, and elevate your impact as a Family and Consumer Sciences leader? The full schedule for the 2026 AAFCS-TX Annual Conference is officially here! Under this year's theme, "Rooted Together, Rising Stronger," we have put together an incredible lineup designed to spark innovation, refine your leadership skills, and give you practical tools to bring back to your classroom or community.

Whether you want to master legislative advocacy at our interactive Pre-Conference workshop, dive into cutting-edge FCS research, or discover quick tech tools to transform student engagement, this agenda has something tailored just for you.

Sneak Peek of What’s Waiting for You:

Advocacy in Action: Learn directly from Texas legislators and community advocates on how to successfully frame your message and influence policy.
Inspirational Keynotes: Discover strategies for deep community engagement and building inclusive communities with statewide leaders like Millicent Boykin and Michele Lammers.
Dynamic Breakout Sessions: Explore topics ranging from the "Secret History of Home Economics" and sustainable fashion to the implementation of personalized learning strategies in the FCS classroom.

Don't wait to plan your ultimate conference experience. Dive into the full schedule today, find the sessions that speak to your professional journey, and secure your spot!

Click Here to View the Full 2026 Conference Agenda

Pre-Conference

Ready to Make Your Voice Heard? Join "Advocacy in Action" at Pre-Conference! Advocacy in Action: Preparing FCS Professionals for a Texas Capitol Connection

Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) professionals shape the policies that impact Texas families every single day. But how do we turn our passion into political impact?

Find out at this year’s exclusive Pre-Conference session, Led by Marlene Lobberecht (Former FCS Teacher & Community Advocate) alongside Texas legislators and Capitol staff, this interactive experience is designed to give you the knowledge, confidence, and tools to engage with policymakers effectively.

What to Expect:

The Prep (at the Hilton Austin Downtown): Dive into a guided workshop covering the current legislative landscape, key FCS messaging, and insider communication strategies.
The Inside Scoop: Hear directly from Texas Legislative members on the absolute best strategies for impactful meetings.
The Rehearsal: Move beyond discussion and actively practice advocating for families, education, and our profession ahead of the Interim and 2027 Legislative sessions.

Join us at this impactful pre-conference session on July 16, from 1:00 pm-4:00 pm. Don’t just watch policy happen—help shape it. Secure your spot and get ready to bridge the gap between the classroom, the community, and the Capitol!

Keynote Speaker Highlight

Millicent Boykin, Vice President, Strategic Partnerships, One Star

Partners in Purpose: Rooted Together, Rising Stronger Through the Power of Community Engagement

Education does not happen in isolation. Schools are deeply connected to the communities they serve, and when educators intentionally cultivate those relationships, the impact on students, institutions, and communities can be transformative. By connecting academic learning with real-world challenges, these partnerships foster civic responsibility and problem-solving skills that extend far beyond the classroom. This session will emphasize practical strategies for developing authentic partnerships with community members and explore how faculty and students can address community needs through collaborative projects, service-learning opportunities, and shared initiatives that benefit both educational institutions and the larger community. Community engagement should not be seen as an added duty, but as a powerful extension of teaching and learning—one that empowers students, strengthens communities, and advances the broader mission of education.

Millicent is a connector, convener, and capacity builder dedicated to working with and for the community. She serves as Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at OneStar Foundation, the State Service Commission for Texas, where she leads statewide networks, programs, and partnership initiatives focused on nonprofit capacity-building, advocacy, community engagement, and volunteerism.

An active community volunteer, Millicent currently serves on the Best Buddies North Texas Advisory Board and the Read Up Advisory Council. She is an alum of Leadership Dallas, Leadership ISD, Leadership Texas, and Leadership America. Past board service includes Reading Partners North Texas, the American Red Cross Diversity Leadership Council, and the Woodrow Wilson High School Community Foundation. She has been honored as HOBY Alum of the Year by the Texas North chapter, received a special citation for Volunteer Excellence from the American Red Cross North Texas Region, and was featured as a “Hometown Hero” with Fox 4.

Millicent holds a degree in psychology from Northwestern University and is a Certified Group Facilitator. One of her favorite quotes reflects her passion for service: "I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.”

Closing Keynote Speaker Highlight

Michele Lammers, Founder & President, Texas All Abilities Network

Building Inclusive Communities Through Communication, Life Skills, and Family Engagement

Michele Lammers is an educator, nonprofit leader, and community advocate dedicated to strengthening families and creating inclusive opportunities for neurodivergent youth and young adults. She is the Founder and President of Texas All Abilities Network, a nonprofit organization focused on building community-based programs that support communication, social-emotional development, life skills, workforce readiness, and successful transitions to adulthood.

Drawing from her background in special education, adult learning, and family engagement, Michele collaborates with families, educators, libraries, adult education programs, workforce partners, and community organizations across Texas to develop practical, strengths-based approaches that help individuals with disabilities build confidence, independence, and meaningful community connections. Her work emphasizes inclusive community engagement, real-world learning experiences, and family-centered supports that empower individuals both inside and outside traditional educational settings.

In addition to leading Texas All Abilities Network, Michele is the founder of Inclusive Skills Coaching & Training, LLC, where she provides workshops, training, and consultation focused on inclusive practices, communication, social-emotional learning, and transition readiness. She also serves in community leadership and advocacy roles that promote accessibility, collaboration, and inclusive opportunities for individuals of all abilities.

Passionate about creating spaces where all individuals feel welcomed, valued, and capable of thriving, Michele believes strong communities are built through communication, connection, and meaningful family engagement. Her work is rooted in one guiding belief: “All Abilities, One Community.”