Family and Consumer Sciences
Family and Consumer Sciences aims to improve the quality of life for adults, children and families by providing research-based education in health and nutrition, food safety, food preservation and financial management. Programs can be offered in English and Spanish.
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University of Idaho Extension is excited to partner with Idaho Department of Health and Welfare to provide free Dementia Friends sessions to counties across the state. Our team of six Extension educators have been trained as Dementia Friends Champions and are located across the state of Idaho.
Southern and Central Idaho contacts:
Tasha Howard, UI Extension, Canyon County
thoward@uidaho.edu,
Bridget Morrisroe-Aman, LMSW, UI Extension, Ada County
bridgeta@uidaho.edu,
Eastern Idaho contacts:
Laura Sant, UI Extension, Franklin County
lsant@uidaho.edu,
Leslee Blanch, UI Extension, Bonneville County
lblanch@uidaho.edu,
Northern Idaho contacts:
Kirstin Jensen, BSPE, MAED, UI Extension, Idaho County
kirstinj@uidaho.edu,
Kathee Tifft, UI Extension, Nez Perce County
ktifft@uidaho.edu
For more information go to: https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/dementia-friends
Mental health education is provided to help recognize signs and symptoms of those who are struggling, provide appropriate support and connect others to services. Classes are available for youth, adults and adults who work with youth. Email University of Idaho Extension, Canyon County for information on upcoming classes and or requests to teach a mental health education class.
Mental Health First Aid
Like learning first aid and responding to a physical crisis, this course teaches how to respond to a mental crisis. This course can be taught in-person or in a hybrid of online and in-person education. Participants will leave with an understanding of mental health disorders, the ability to recognize signs and symptoms, and connect others to appropriate means of help. Classes must have at least five participants and can be taught in English or Spanish. Contact UI Extension, Canyon County for more information on available classes.
Youth Mental Health First Aid
As the numbers of youth struggling with their mental health continues to rise, it is important that adults learn skills to be able to direct youth and help them through mental health crises which may arise. This course can be taught in-person or in a hybrid of online and in-person education, it is intended for adults who work with or are parents to youth. Participants will leave with an understanding of mental health disorders, the ability to recognize signs and symptoms, and connect others to appropriate means of help. Classes must have at least five participants and can be taught in English or Spanish. Contact UI Extension, Canyon County for more information on available classes.
4-H Building Fences
This is a youth-focused and led curriculum on mental health. Youth go through three modules and learn stress management, support during a mental health challenge and self-care.
Coping and Stress Management Workshop
We all get stressed, and we all need to learn ways to cope with that stress. This stress management workshop is one hour and walks you through coping skills and strategies before providing a stress management plan. This workshop can be taught to youth or adults. Contact Tasha Howard for more information.
Diabetes Prevention Program
The Diabetes Prevention Program is a year-long program developed specifically to prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes. It is designed for people with prediabetes or who are at-risk for developing type 2 diabetes. This program specifically focuses on weight loss and physical activity while learning new habits and gaining new skills.
Contact UI Extension, Canyon County for more information.
The Caldwell Health Coalition formed in 2018. The coalition addresses six pillars of health (identified via community assessments and statistics) with "equity for all" as our underlying foundation, influencing our action within each pillar of health.
We have over 40 adult and youth members, including community residents, and representing over 20 community organizations to drive health action in Caldwell. To learn more about the Caldwell Health Coalition, visit our linktree to access our various sites.
Program Content
The Caldwell CWV program provides community-specific core competencies within the Caldwell Health Coalition's "Six Pillars of Health." to learn more about the program, please visit UI Extension Community Wellness Volunteer Program page.
Volunteer Expectations
- All participants who complete the core Community Wellness Volunteer training receive a Community Wellness Volunteer Certificate of Completion and the title of "Community Wellness Volunteer" (CWV).
- CWVs are expected to complete (and report) 20 hours of volunteer service by the end of the calendar year. Volunteer opportunities are provided locally by University of Idaho Extension staff and volunteers do get to choose what opportunities they would like to participate in. Volunteers can also develop their own opportunities. *CWVs are expected to participate and/or support the Caldwell Health Coalition. Each CWVs contribution to the Caldwell Health Coalition is included in their volunteer hours.
- CWVs are expected to participate (in-person or virtually) in at least three CWV Professional Development trainings throughout the calendar year. A total of five Professional Development trainings are offered following completion of the core training.
For more information go to the University of Idaho Extension Community Wellness Volunteer Program website.
