Lakshmi Reddi Interim Provost and Chief Academic Officer | nmsu.edu
Lakshmi Reddi Interim Provost and Chief Academic Officer | nmsu.edu
New Mexico State University's Extension Family and Consumer Sciences (EFCS) is working to improve the lives of New Mexicans through various educational initiatives. These programs focus on health, family development, finance, and disaster preparedness.
In 2023, EFCS secured nearly $4.5 million in grants to support diabetes education, nutrition and health education, personal and family finance, stress management, vaccine education, and chronic disease prevention. Over 21,000 residents participated in these programs with an estimated economic impact exceeding $16.4 million.
"Faculty and staff working within NMSU’s Extension Family and Consumer Sciences provide research-based and current information on important and relevant topics that affect individuals, families and communities," said Efren Delgado, department head for EFCS.
A grant has allowed the Ideas for Cooking and Nutrition (ICAN) program to promote free vaccines for eligible New Mexicans through the Extension Collaborative on Immunization Teaching and Engagement (EXCITE) Bridge Access Project. ICAN Director Donna Sauter emphasized the importance of their educators' role in providing community resource referrals.
To reach more people, ICAN educators distributed vaccine coupons during classes or events, displayed posters at various locations including healthcare offices and food banks, and used social media platforms. Materials were available in both English and Spanish.
"This grant speaks to the recognition of how ICAN educators are deeply connected in their communities," said Laura Bittner, associate department head for EFCS.
EFCS also runs a diabetes awareness program called On the Road to Living Well with Diabetes with funding from the Paso del Norte Health Foundation. The program will expand its reach with a new grant aimed at enrolling 150 participants across Luna, Otero, and Doña Ana counties starting February 2025.
“We have found that community health workers play a vital role in this program,” said Lourdes Olivas, program manager for On the Road to Living Well with Diabetes.
Additionally, EFCS supports mental well-being through the Center of Innovation for Behavioral Health and Wellbeing (COI), established in 2021. COI collaborates with state agencies to develop workforce training programs that integrate best practices into local communities.
"We look for opportunities to collaborate and support each other," said Brooke Stanley Tou, director of COI. "We’re committed to improving the well-being of New Mexicans."
For further details about these initiatives or similar stories visit https://nmsu.news/aces-magazine-fall-2024.
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