1. Headlines Reveal Critical Life Issues What’s Being Done About Them?

2. Obesity Epidemic 50% of U.S. adults are overweight 50% of U.S. adults are overweight 15% of children and adolescents are overweight also 15% of children and adolescents are overweight also Approximately 2/3 of deaths each year are diet-related Approximately 2/3 of deaths each year are diet-related

3. Consumer Debt/Financial Crises More than 40% of American families spend more than they earn More than 40% of American families spend more than they earn Credit card debt is at an all-time high Credit card debt is at an all-time high Personal bankruptcy filings have increased by more than 200% during the past decade. Personal bankruptcy filings have increased by more than 200% during the past decade. Millions of adults face financial hardships during retirement Millions of adults face financial hardships during retirement

4. Lack of School Readiness/Academic Achievement Many children come to school unprepared to learn Many children come to school unprepared to learn Parenting practices are linked to brain and other forms of human development Parenting practices are linked to brain and other forms of human development Family involvement in education predicts academic achievement Family involvement in education predicts academic achievement

5. School Dropouts/Unemployment High school dropouts earn one-half the annual income as a high school graduate High school dropouts earn one-half the annual income as a high school graduate Many growing career areas have a shortage of workers due to lack of skilled employees Many growing career areas have a shortage of workers due to lack of skilled employees

6. Family and Consumer Sciences Education Provides Solutions! National Standards have been established for educational programs in these and other important areas National Standards have been established for educational programs in these and other important areas Curricula and courses exist to address these problems proactively in middle and high schools throughout the U.S. Curricula and courses exist to address these problems proactively in middle and high schools throughout the U.S. FCCLA student organization extends learning and provides leadership opportunities for students FCCLA student organization extends learning and provides leadership opportunities for students

7. Sample Courses Nutrition and Wellness Nutrition and Wellness Family Financial Management/Consumer Economics Family Financial Management/Consumer Economics Parenting Parenting Child Development Child Development Family Relationships Family Relationships Food Services Food Services Child Care Services Child Care Services

8. Sample FCCLA Programs Financial Fitness Financial Fitness Student Body (nutrition) Student Body (nutrition) Families First Families First Power of One Power of One Stop the Violence Stop the Violence Career Connection Career Connection Leaders at Work Leaders at Work

9. Family and Consumer Sciences Education Making a Difference Today for a Better Tomorrow

10. Developed by The National Coalition for Family and Consumer Sciences Education

11. Sources Whitney & Rolfes (2005). Understanding Nutrition. Whitney & Rolfes (2005). Understanding Nutrition. National Center for Health Statistics (2004). Health in the United States. National Center for Health Statistics (2004). Health in the United States. Keown (2004). Personal Finance. Keown (2004). Personal Finance. Rhode Island KidsCount (2005). The National School Readiness Indicators Initiative. Rhode Island KidsCount (2005). The National School Readiness Indicators Initiative. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statustics (2003). Occupational Outlook Handbook. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statustics (2003). Occupational Outlook Handbook.