Candidates for Family & Consumer Sciences Program Development Committee

Creating healthy and sustainable families is central to the work of family and consumer sciences. Members of the FCS PDC aim to develop programs that meet the needs of today’s families when it comes to health, nutrition, family resources, adult development and personal growth.

Angela Buckner

In your view, what role does Extension play as part of a thriving community?

Extension is a crucial part of a thriving community because it effectively and actively programs a variety of diverse educational programs for the community. It supports opportunities for new and continued community cultivation in all types of situations that adhere to a multitude of settings in classrooms, gardens, kitchens and or recreation centers to meet all needs of the people. Extension has no walls and no boundaries which is why it will continue to thrive and excel in the community.

Please list the top (3) three priorities, in your opinion, for the FACS program development committee.

1. Bringing programming to diverse neighborhoods where Extension is not being reached. Inform people of opportunities that are offered through Extension. (Boundary issues/transportation issues/language barriers).
2. Expand Cooking/Nutrition/Budgeting classes for families in the community. If parents or adults learn about budgeting they can pass it down to their families/start a cycle.
3. Build on Bonding through Board Games. Anything we can do in a positive light bringing families together.

Please list relevant work/community involvement/volunteer experience.

Recreation Director City of Wichita, Lynette Woodard Recreation Center, Fairmont Community Center & Atwater Neighborhood Resource Center; SASO Board member Wichita State University; National Recreation & Parks Ethnic Minority Society Member; Certified Park and Recreation Professional; Greater YMCA Downtown Advisory Board Member; Tutor-Volunteer, Kansas Recreation & Park Association Member; Aquatics Facility Operator; Masters in Education emphasis Kinesiology; Kansas Program Director - KDHE Certified.

What else should we know about you?

I was born and raised in Wichita, KS.  I attended Kapaun Mt. Carmel High School. I received a full-ride scholarship to play women's basketball for Wichita State University. I received my Bachelor's in Communications and Masters in Education with an emphasis in Kinesiology at WSU. I love my job in Park & Rec. I love spending time with my family and friends. I enjoy playing sports. I love being a hometown girl and giving back as much as I can. I live life to the fullest everyday!

Jaleen Claasen

In your view, what role does Extension play as part of a thriving community?

When I think of a thriving community the word health continually comes to mind. Individuals in a community need to be in a healthy place to make decisions, to learn, to establish solid friendships, to be productive and to grow. The Extension plays a vital role in the health of Sedgwick County. Not only by directly impacting the individuals that attend various Extension programs. Those individuals also continue to carry the message of the Extension to the community at large.

Please list the top (3) three priorities, in your opinion, for the FACS program development committee.

1. The committee is here to assist the efforts of the Extension Office and to help promote the Family and Consumer Science programs and resources in Sedgwick County.
2. To join hands and continue the movement to serve residents of Sedgwick County that are underserved.
3. To continue to build and solidify positive relationships with other agencies also serving the people of Sedgwick County.

Please list relevant work/community involvement/volunteer experience.

Teacher in USD 259, 2001-2004 (Isley and Spaght Elementary, 4th grade); Operations Manager at The Treehouse (501c3) from 2004-2012; Stay at home mom, 2012-2018; Client Services at The Treehouse, 2018 to present; Parent Volunteer in USD 266, 2008 to present; Current ICT Food Rescue Volunteer, August 2018 to present.

What else should we know about you?

While teaching 4th grade in USD 259, my desire to help struggling moms before their children entered school led me to the work of The Treehouse. Women are referred to us while pregnant or with very young children. It is my experience as a teacher and mother that helps build relationships with women from all backgrounds. Relating to the challenges and joys parents face, regardless of their circumstances, is what binds me to the community and motivates me to serve where needed.

Donna Hawley-Wolfe

In your view, what role does Extension play as part of a thriving community?

Since their inception, extensions have extended the research and educational mission of the land-grant universities to communities throughout the states.  The Sedgwick Count Extension, located in an urban center with surrounding rural areas, provides non-formal, scientifically based educational programs focused on the needs of those living in this county.  The agricultural base expands to horticulture, nutrition, and life events.  Programs for youth through the elderly feature a variety of educational programs in areas of leadership, family life, economics, nutrition,  & health services.  Responsiveness to the current environment with recognition of the history of county extensions remains paramount.

Please list the top (3) three priorities, in your opinion, for the FACS program development committee.

As a SHICK volunteer, my work has centered on the elderly; however, learning about other programs’ priorities is important.  Three priority areas I see:

1. Recruiting additional volunteers, particularly from traditionally underserved areas such as the Northeast, Oaklawn and Haysville with the goal being expanding services to these communities as well as increasing awareness of the Extension as a community resource.
2. Increasing volunteers’ knowledge of resources that assist with paying for expensive medications, addressing elderly abuse, or managing health care costs.
3. Identifying financial support for additional evidence-based programs (e.g. the exercise and caregiver programs) that could benefit all areas in the Family and Consumer Sciences area.

Please list relevant work/community involvement/volunteer experience.

I have been a SHICK volunteer for the last four years providing counseling for those new to Medicare two days per week and several days during open enrollment. I am pleased to participate in a program that has saved the citizens of Sedgwick county $1.8 million dollars just by assisting them in changing their drug plans. I have worked with the Women’s Crisis Center as a volunteer & board member. I am a member of the Soroptimist of Wichita, a volunteer service group that provides support for women and girls through educational grants and service projects.

What else should we know about you?

My experience as a teacher and nurse has helped with my role as a SHICK Counselor

Heidi Wells

In your view, what role does Extension play as part of a thriving community?

Extension plays a significant role within communities, providing many learning opportunities to residents at an affordable cost as well as many programs for free.  Programs like SNAP-Ed, EFNEP, health and wellness programs, answering Medicare questions, as well as educating communities about where their food comes from all help strengthen the health of communities.  Healthier communities lead to thriving communities for years to come.

Please list the top (3) three priorities, in your opinion, for the FACS program development committee.

1. Marketing of current programs.  We have some wonderful programs through our extension, yet many people throughout the county are unaware of them.
2. Expanded outreach.  How can we reach out to smaller communities throughout our county and bring the classes to them?
3. 4-H Project leaders.  Increased support of locating project leaders throughout the county.

Please list relevant work/community involvement/volunteer experience.

Registered Dietitian (16 years); 4-H alumni and current leader; Kansas Farm Bureau and Sedgwick County Farm Bureau member (12 years); Cheney Recreation Commission Board member (7 years); previous member of Wichita Health Coalition Food Policy team; Kansas Dietetic Association member and leader (10+ years); Wichita Dietetic Association member and leader (10+ years); We All Eat event volunteer.

What else should we know about you?

Born and raised a farm kid in Northeast Kansas, graduated from Kansas State University with degrees in Human Nutrition, Exercise Science, and Dietetics, and moved down to Wichita for my first job out of college.  Reside outside of Cheney, Kansas, near my husband's family dairy farm.  We have five children ages 11, 9, 7, 5, and 3.  I am passionate about nutrition, exercise, agriculture, and (of course) KSU athletics.

Debbie Williams

In your view, what role does Extension play as part of a thriving community?

Extension provides education and learning activities to people throughout the country — to farmers and growers and other residents of rural and urban communities. It emphasizes taking knowledge gained through research and education and bringing it directly to the people to improve lives and create positive community change. The hallmarks of the extension program illuminate how cooperative extension brings evidence-based programs and modern technologies to farmers, consumers, and families.

Please list the top (3) three priorities, in your opinion, for the FACS program development committee.

1. Support staff in their programming efforts.
2. Provide support, suggestions and ideas as needed.
3. Promote Extension efforts within community circles.

Please list relevant work/community involvement/volunteer experience.

PDC Member 2017 & 2018; Volunteer Farm to Fork Events; Dictator Derby Health Collaborative; Working Well Conference Committee Volunteer; DRC Wellness Committee; DHC Bike Month Committee Volunteer; Derby Circles Representative; Health Alliance Member; Health and Wellness Coalition of Wichita Member; Think Tank Member; Derby USD 260 Wellness Committee Member.

What else should we know about you?

For the past three years, I have been the Community Wellness Coordinator for the Derby Recreation Commission. Prior to joining the DRC, I was the Health Promotion Coordinator for the Sedgwick County Health Department and then served as the Healthy Community Director for the Greater Wichita YMCA and the Health and Wellness Coalition of Wichita, Kansas.  Selected as a Kansas Health Foundation Fellows candidate, I continue my passionate quest to improve the health of Kansas.