Delivering education to strengthen relationships, eat smart, improve health, and achieve financial wellness in Benton, Fountain, Montgomery, Parke, Putnam, Tippecanoe, Vermillion, Vigo and Warren counties.
Our Educators
Regional Health and Human Sciences Educator - Human Development & Family Science
wrigh509@purdue.edu
lbouslog@purdue.edu
Our Programs
Block Party
Block Party events provide an opportunity for parents and their children, ages 8 months to 8 years, to interact and engage in block play. Parents learn how they can help their children develop a variety of school-readiness skills through play with a variety of blocks. Stations set up with a different set of blocks aid children in learning identified skills.
Block Party training informs childcare providers on the benefits, research concepts, and foundations for building school-readiness skills in young children during quality block play.
Contact GAIL WRIGHTA Matter of Balance
Many older adults experience concerns about falling and restrict their activities. A Matter of Balance is a fall prevention program that encourages cognitive restructuring. It is designed to reduce the fear of falling and increase activity levels among older adults. A Matter of Balance is an evidence-based program that typically meets once a week for 8 weeks. The program emphasizes practical strategies to manage falls.
Get WalkIN’
Get WalkIN’ helps to promote and increase physical activity among adults simply by walking more. This unique program is entirely e-mail-based. Over a period of 12 weeks, you will receive 16 e-mail messages from Purdue Extension containing credible and useful information about the health benefits of walking, how to overcome barriers, principles of self-efficacy, social support, goal setting, walking locations, and relapse prevention.
Captain cash
Captain Cash is an interactive educational program designed to teach basic financial management skills to your students. Along with learning basic financial concepts, students learn and practice important life skills to foster self-sufficiency such as communication, decision-making, problem-solving, managing resources, planning, and organizing.
mental health first aid
Purdue Extension has a team of facilitators who are certified to teach this evidence-based program developed by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. Adult Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) teaches how to interact with and support someone who may be developing a mental health issue or experiencing a crisis.
Contact Brock TurnerPrograms that Strengthen Our Communities
Explore more HHS programs as it relates to:
Dining with diabetes
Diabetes adversely impacts the lives of over 10 percent of adults in Indiana dealing with this chronic condition. People with diabetes may experience financial struggles due to higher healthcare costs and are at increased risk for developing long-term health problems. Dining with Diabetes is a cooking school that offers a practical approach to eating well for those with type 2 diabetes and their caregivers. The program consists of four sessions and a reunion. Program topics include:
- planning meals and snacks with delicious and healthy recipes
- cooking demonstrations and food sampling
- motivation and support — connect with others who are living with diabetes
- ideas for being more active
- an understanding of how diabetes affects your overall health.
cooking under pressure
The new Electric Programmable Pressure Cookers (EPPC) are a very popular appliance in home kitchens. This small kitchen appliance is a versatile multi-cooker that can do the job of a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, and more, and also saves you counter space and money. If you would like to learn more about the features, the benefits, how to safely operate, and sources of recipes – because you are considering a purchase OR you have one but haven’t taken it out of the box – then this class is for you!
food allergies 101
Food allergies are on the rise. Today, one in 13 children and one in 10 adults in the United States have a food allergy. This presentation defines a food allergy, identifies the signs & symptoms of an allergic reaction, list the most common food allergens, reviews ways to prevent an allergic reaction, and provides resources for further reference and education.
Food budgeting & meal planning
Food Budgeting and Meal Planning is a one-hour program about how to get the most nutritious food for your dollar. The following topics will be covered:
- Create a Grocery Game Plan
- Eating Better on a Budget
- Food Storage Chart
- Food Safety Tips
- Leftover Makeovers/Refrigerator Reboots
- Make Your Own Casserole Leftovers
food labeling
Food packages contain a lot of useful information that can help you make healthier choices. As you plan balanced meals, it's helpful to look at details like serving size, calories, and nutrients such as fat, sugar, fiber, and protein. Ingredient lists and nutrition labels can guide you in choosing foods that support your health goals.
During this program, you will learn how to identify the main parts of a food label, understand common marketing claims, and use this knowledge to make informed, healthy food decisions
plant-based eating
Following a plant-based eating plan has gained popularity in recent years as more people explore ways to improve their health and support environmental sustainability. Plant-Based Eating is a 1-hour program that explores why this way of eating is becoming more common, outlines the potential health benefits, and discusses common challenges people may face when transitioning to or maintaining a plant-based diet.
servsafe
ServSafe® is an educational program developed by the National Restaurant Association to aid restaurants and other retail food handlers comply with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) code (law) to ensure public safety. The FDA Code requires that food establishments obtain a Food Manager certification accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The ServSafe Food Protection Manager course is one course that meets this requirement. In the state of Indiana, the state Department of Health and Food Protection Program serves as the enforcement and oversight agency of the FDA code through the Indiana Retail Food Establishment Sanitation Requirements.
steps to a healthy you
Steps to a Healthy You is a four-session program designed to empower individuals with practical skills for healthier living. Research shows that two-thirds of chronic diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease, can be prevented through lifestyle changes, especially healthy eating patterns and regular physical activity. The Mediterranean-style eating pattern has proven to be particularly effective in reducing the risk and impact of chronic disease.
Below are select family-related programs offered by Purdue Extension Health and Human Sciences Educators. For additional family programming topics and options, please contact your regional Human Development & Family Sciences educator.
Learn More About All Purdue Extension Family Programs
A Matter of Balance
Many older adults experience concerns about falling and restricting their activities. A Matter of Balance is a fall prevention program that encourages cognitive restructuring. It is designed to reduce the fear of falling and increase activity levels among older adults. A Matter of Balance — in partnership with Maine Health — is an evidence-based program that typically meets once a week for 8 weeks. The program emphasizes practical strategies to manage falls.
Adolescent substance abuse
The two-hour program, developed by faculty at Purdue University, provides data, activities, videos, tips, and handouts for parents and caregivers of youth. “Adolescent Substance Use: What can parents do?” informs parents/caregivers about:
- Substances teens currently use
- The risks of addiction and overdose with youth
- Adolescent characteristics that can contribute to substance use
- Prevention strategies that work
- Understand family relationships and peer influences on substance use
- Links between availability and access to substances
- Real-life tips on how to leverage strategies and address concerns to help prevent substance use
Block Party
Block Party events provide an opportunity for parents and their children, ages 8 months to 8 years, to interact and engage in block play. Parents learn how they can help their children develop a variety of school-readiness skills through play with a variety of blocks. Stations set up with a different set of blocks aid children in learning identified skills.
Block Party training informs childcare providers on the benefits, research concepts, and foundations for building school-readiness skills in young children during quality block play.
Hero's Story time
HERO's is an acronym that stands for Hhelping Every Child Reach Optimum Ssuccess. The program shares information about the Developmental Assets and creating safe, nurturing relationships and environments. The training is developed for early childhood providers and those who are major stakeholders in the lives of young children. Participants also gain practice in using the storybooks and support materials.
I am moving, i am learning
I Am Moving, I Am Learning is a fun, active training for caregivers of young children (birth to 5 years) to encourage children’s movement and healthy food choices each day.
This training is available for childcare providers, parents, or other caregivers of young children to encourage the use of movement activities to support children’s healthy development. Children can engage in fun physical activities, both indoors and outdoors, as they learn about being active and eating healthy, nutritious food.
just in time parenting
Finding reliable information and advice for prenatal to five years of age can be overwhelming. Just in Time Parenting (JITP) is an educational partnership of educators and researchers from land-grant universities across the country. JITP is a free parenting newsletter that is delivered to your email with relevant information specific to a child’s age and stage of development.
Parents forever
Families face many challenges and sometimes have to deal with transitions. Parents Forever © — in partnership with University of Minnesota Extension — is an educational program for families experiencing divorce, separation, or a change in child custody. Participants will receive a certificate after completing the 4-hour in-person program or online course. The cost for either program format is $50.
strengthening families program
Purdue Extension — in partnership with Iowa State University Extension & Outreach — offers the Strengthening Families Program: For Parents and Youth 10-14 in multiple locations throughout the state. The World Health Organization named this program the #1 program out of 6,000 programs analyzed for long-term effects on substance use and misuse.
tinker thinking in stem
Purdue Extension’s program on early childhood engineering skills development has two focuses: material properties and attributes of loose parts, and solving problems. Participants learn how to encourage and engage children in the engineering play behaviors identified and developed at Purdue University by researchers in the departments of Human Development and Family Studies, and Engineering Education. Adults caring for children also learn how to provide responsive facilitation to encourage engineering play.
If you're interested in learning more about this program, please contact our Purdue Extension Human Development Specialist, Kelsie Muller, at kmuller@purdue.edu.
train your brain
Brain disease is one of the biggest health crises facing the world today. The prevalence of dementia is increasing as our population increases. By adopting multiple healthy lifestyle choices, adults may decrease their risk of cognitive decline and dementia.
Through this interactive program, participants will become aware of the incidence of dementia, understand the 10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease, and the benefits of early detection and diagnosis. Learn steps you can take to better your own brain health by adopting a brain-healthy lifestyle.
Captain Cash
Captain Cash is an interactive educational program designed to teach basic financial management skills to your students. Along with learning basic financial concepts, students learn and practice important life skills to foster self-sufficiency such as communication, decision-making, problem-solving, managing resources, planning, and organizing.
curb your urge to splurge
Purdue Extension's free, five-week email series, Curb Your Urge to Splurge - Holiday Edition, offers practical tips, creative ideas, and helpful reminders to help you manage holiday spending, reduce financial stress, and enjoy more of what makes the season special.
empower me to be clutter free
Clutter is a disordered collection of things that impedes movement or reduces effectiveness. Empower Me to Be Clutter Free is an educational program that can be offered in one, two, or three sessions, either in-person or online. The sessions are as follows:
- Session 1 – Provides de-cluttering strategies and discusses the emotional barriers that often prevents us from letting go of our things
- Session 2 – Addresses paper clutter
- Session 3 – Discusses how to store your things so that you can maintain the order you’ve created in your home or office
All sessions last approximately one hour.
Investment risk tolerance
Take the Investment Risk Tolerance and Current Financial Stress Assessments. Your answers to the questions asked in both surveys will assist your investment strategy focus as you gain knowledge of your ability to tolerate investment risk. You will also learn your current level of personal financial stress.
planning for a secure retirement
The objective of this course is to help you with your planning for retirement. Each of the ten modules within this course provides information that can be valuable in answering the questions you need to consider as you make your plans. The modules include specific goals, activities to complete, and sources for more information.
retirement planning checklist
Whether you’re just getting started or getting closer to retirement, explore the checklist for your age group to find actions you can take today to help you prepare for tomorrow.
Retirement Checklist in Your 20's
Retirement Checklist in Your 30's
Retirement Checklist in Your 40's
Retirement Checklist in Your 50's
Retirement Checklist in Your 60's
staying scam safe
People all around the world are affected by scams every single day. This free educational program will cover some common types of scams, provide you with proactive steps you can take to protect yourself and your information, and show you where you can go to report scams or frauds that have taken place.
where does your money go?
Where Does Your Money Go? (WDYMG) is a program designed to help consumers better understand how they spend their money. Program activities include determining your spending priorities and habits as well as creating a spending-savings plan.
crew - compassion & resilience education at work
The CREW Curriculum offers introductory education and skill-building content related to three topics:
- Work-Life Balance
- Stress Management
- Stigma Reduction
Each topic is available as a standalone one-hour session, or the session can be combined into a series. CREW can be delivered in person or virtually.
be heart smart
Purdue Extension’s Be Heart Smart program is combating heart disease—the #1 cause of death for men and women in Indiana. Designed to help adults prevent heart disease, this four-session program offers simple, practical changes to achieve a heart-healthy lifestyle. This program provides information about:
- managing blood pressure and cholesterol
- increasing daily physical activity
- improving dietary choices
- managing stress
- talking to a healthcare provider, and more
After attending the program, participants will be able to identify their controllable risk factors for heart disease and how to reduce their personal risk. Connect with your regional Extension Educator to learn more about Be Heart Smart and opportunities to attend this program.
enhancing the value of public spaces
In Indiana, community leaders make decisions about public spaces such as parks, trails, farmers markets, schools, and Main Streets every day that affect the health and wellness of the community. Using Purdue Extension′s Enhancing the Value of Public Spaces: Creating Healthy Communities program, facilitators coach communities through the development of a high-quality action plan for the public spaces. The plan can guide decisions and better position communities to take advantage of opportunities to promote healthy eating and active living.
get walkin' program
Get WalkIN’ helps to promote and increase physical activity among adults simply by walking more. This unique program is entirely e-mail-based. Over a period of 12 weeks, you will receive 16 e-mail messages from Purdue Extension containing credible and useful information about the health benefits of walking, how to overcome barriers, principles of self-efficacy, social support, goal setting, walking locations, and relapse prevention.
adult mental health first aid
Purdue Extension has a team of facilitators who are certified to teach this evidence-based program developed by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. Adult Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) teaches how to interact with and support someone who may be developing a mental health issue or experiencing a crisis.
substance use education video series
Misinformation and stigma about substance use make it difficult to change outcomes. Purdue Extension HHS has a video series that offers introductory education about substance use to help change this stigma. This playlist of 11 videos addresses several concerns that are applicable across many substances and situations, but also some of the concerns unique to specific populations and substances.