What We Do
HHS Extension Educators bring university information to the local level and help people strengthen families, spend smart, eat right, and live well. We offer a variety of educational programming, from short single-session programming to multiple-day certification programming. Many of our programs are free to the community, while some programs require a registration fee.
Discovery Hall Suite 201
Indianapolis, IN 46205
PROGRAMS
Purdue Extension Health and Human Sciences provides education to individuals and communities in each of Indiana’s diverse counties. We bring university information to the local level – both in person and online – to help people strengthen relationships, eat smart, improve health, and achieve financial wellness.
ServSafe is a food and beverage safety training and certificate program accredited by the National Restaurant Association and the Conference for Food Protection. The program was developed to educate food service workers about food safety. ServSafe Food Protection Manager is the highest certification awarded by ServSafe. The manager training focuses on five aspects of food service that can affect the safety of food.
If you are interested in this program, please contact Kevin Davis.
Some youth are at an increased risk for substance use. So what are parents to do? Knowing the risks can help parents and caregivers be aware of whether their child is at risk. It is important that parents be aware of substances used by youth today, the lingo, and hiding places where substances may be stored. With open and honest communication about risks, parents/caregivers can help protect youth from engaging in risky behaviors, encourage them to make healthy decisions, and protect their health now and in the future.
If you would like more information about this program, please contact Kevin Davis.
HERO’s Story Time is a reading program dedicated to empowering children with assets that will enable them to succeed in school and in life. The word ‘HERO’S’ is an acronym that stands for Helping Every Child Reach Optimum Success. Storybooks were specifically chosen for this reading program for children ages 3-5 years, emphasizing social-emotional skills to cultivate healthy relationships based on eight of the 40 Development Assets from the Search Institute. The more assets a child develops, the more empowered they are to face adversity and challenges. Research tells us that Developmental Assets are one of the most effective protective factors in preventing high-risk behaviors, including violence and substance abuse, as well as victimization.
If you would like more information about this program, please contact Kevin Davis.
Captain Cash is an interactive educational program designed to teach basic financial management skills to third-grade students. This dynamic curriculum was designed to address the following issues: Money behaviors observed and learned in childhood impact adult behaviors. Money management messages that children process in the home, the community, on television, and via other media shape their values, attitudes, and future money habits. Individuals and families cannot respond to economic disruptions because they have not learned critical money management concepts and skills. To address these issues, “Captain Cash” includes four classroom enrichment sessions of approximately 30-45 minutes, each focusing on earning, saving, spending, and borrowing money. Each session introduces vocabulary words and one or more basic economic concepts. Every lesson also includes a game or activity and a take-home handout. All lessons meet Indiana Academic Standards for math and social studies. Students learn basic financial concepts and practice important life skills such as communication, decision-making, problem-solving, managing resources, planning, and organizing to foster self-sufficiency.
If you are interested in this program, please contact Ashley Piland.
Where Does Your Money Go? (WDYMG) is a program designed to help consumers better understand how they spend their money. As a signature program, it must be taught in two separate one to two-hour sessions. The program can be taught over a few days, weeks, or even 30 days in between lessons to allow consumers to track their expenses over time.
If you are interested in this program, please contact Ashley Piland.
"Show Me the Money" is an engaging youth program offering hands-on activities to teach essential household budgeting and wage management skills. Through interactive exercises and simulations, participants learn how to create budgets, manage expenses, and make informed financial decisions. With a focus on real-world scenarios, this program equips youth with practical knowledge to navigate their financial futures confidently.
If you are interested in this program, please contact Ashley Piland.
Our Financial 101 program is a comprehensive guide to mastering personal finance fundamentals. From budgeting and saving to investing and managing debt, this course equips participants with essential money management skills for a secure financial future. With easy-to-follow lessons and practical tips, it's perfect for beginners looking to build a strong financial foundation.
If you are interested in this program, please contact Ashley Piland.
Staying Scam Safe discusses how to use technology safely and identify common scams to reduce the chance of being a victim.
Our program on understanding income taxes is designed to demystify the complexities of the tax system. It breaks down key concepts such as deductions, credits, and taxable income, offering clear explanations and practical examples. Users gain a deeper understanding of how taxes work, empowering them to make informed decisions and maximize their tax efficiency.
If you are interested in this program, please contact Ashley Piland.
Credit 101 60 min session. We talk about all things credit, What is credit, what is the makeup of your credit, how to build it wisely, and trusted sites for pulling credit reports. How to dispute items on your credit report.
If you are interested in this program, please contact Ashley Piland.
This program discusses important events that led to the current opioid crisis. It also discusses terms and resources that are often mentioned alongside the Opioid Crisis.
If you would like more information about this program, please contact Kevin Davis.
This program reviews the terms, recommendations, and benefits of physical activity, along with information on dance as a creative form of physical activity. Additionally, there is a discussion on creating attainable physical activity goals that are unique to each person.
If you would like more information about this program, please contact Kevin Davis.
Compassion & Resilience Education at Work or CREW is a health education curriculum focused on employee mental health and substance use that is tailored for the workplace environment. CREW has three sessions: Work-Life Balance Stress Management Stigma Reduction
If you would like more information about this program, please contact Kevin Davis.
This program covers the benefits of sleep, risks of poor sleep, stages of sleep, when to contact a healthcare provider, barriers to quality sleep and ways to improve sleep quality.
If you would like more information about this program, please contact Kevin Davis.
Be Heart Smart is a 4 week program that dives into heart health. There is discussion on basic terms, good exercise habits, how to improve your diet, and how stress and sleep impact heart health.
If you would like more information about this program, please contact Kevin Davis.
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an evidence-based health education program developed by the National Council for Mental Well-Being. Purdue Extension has offered Mental Health First Aid courses since 2018. The program achieves the following: Teaches ways to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. Educates on signs and symptoms of a variety of mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, substance use, trauma and deliberate self-injury. Teaches ways to connect someone with appropriate professional and community mental health resources.
If you would like more information about this program, please contact Kevin Davis.
Get WalkIN’ promotes walking and helps increase physical activity among adults. This entirely e-mail-based program helps Hoosiers get on their feet! Extension Educators are given access to all pre-developed program emails to send to participants. These messages target self-efficacy, social support, and goal setting, with the intention of increasing walking among adults.
AIMS:
- Increase physical activity among adults.
- Educate on the health benefits of physical activity, especially walking.
- Help motivate adults to get moving.
- Provide practical tips to overcome barriers to engaging in physical activity.
LENGTH: Get WalkIN spans 12 weeks, with e-mail messages sent to participants twice weekly for the first four weeks and then weekly for the next eight weeks.
DELIVERY METHOD OPTIONS: This program is unique because it is Purdue Extension’s only entirely email-based program. Educators determine the start date of their program, recruit participants using similar channels for face-to-face programs, and then simply send email messages to participants according to the program’s schedule over 12 weeks.
If you would like more information about this program, please contact Kevin Davis.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA)
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