Collaborative Network Newsletter Volume 2

NEWSLETTER

AAFCS

COLLABORATIVE NETWORK VOLUME 2 | 2025 https://www.aafcs.org/about/partnerwith-aafcs/collaborative-network

ABOUT THE NETWORK "AAFCS recognizes that strong partnerships are key to advancing the well-being of individuals, families, and communities. Through our collaborative network, Family and Consumer Sciences professionals remain current, competent, and compassionate—ready to meet evolving needs. Our newsletter and website are excellent ways to stay informed and inspired by the incredible work and resources shared by our partners.

KARIN ATHANAS AAFCS Executive Director

Interested in becoming a partner? Let us know—we’d love to connect and explore how we can work together to strengthen the FCS community!”

AAFCS recognizes the important role that partnership plays in supporting individuals, families, and communities to achieve an optimal quality of life assisted by competent, caring Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) professionals whose expertise is continually updated through AAFCS.

Learn More Here!

Visit the AAFCS website to access the latest free resources available to you!

This dedicated page centralizes valuable resources, tools, and networking opportunities, making it easier for members to connect, share best practices, and collaborate on projects.

By bringing together experts and practitioners from diverse fields, the AAFCS Collaborative Network empowers members to leverage collective knowledge and skills, ultimately enriching their professional experience and advancing the mission of FCS.

FEATURED PARTNER A FOOD RESCUE COMMITTED TO LESS FOOD WASTE AND MORE FAMILY MEALS. Based in Kansas City, Missouri, Pete’s Garden collects local, unserved prepared food and redirects it to local families to reduce food waste and to make it easier for more families to enjoy fresh, healthy meals together.

Kids Feeding Kids impacts communities with authentic Project Based Learning that focuses on providing students with opportunities to gain knowledge that may spark a life-long interest in responsible, sustainable culinary practices for professional or personal kitchens.

AAFCS presented the inaugural Elevate FCS Award to Tamara Weber, Founder and Executive Director of Pete’s Garden and Kids Feeding Kids, and Diane Mora, for their exceptional partnership, leadership, and commitment to the FCS field at the 2025 AAFCS Annual Conference in Kansas City, MO.

PETE’S GARDEN We collect unserved prepared food from caterers, restaurants, and food service operations; we portion and redirect the donated food.

We sponsor local cooking schools and Culinary Arts programs to prepare take-home family dinners.

We partner with social service organizations to get meals to families.

KIDS FEEDING KIDS Integrated into over 40 high school classrooms.

Students plan and prepare high-volume batch recipes, 250+ servings.

Students learn to maintain professional food safety and sanitation standards and demonstrate food service management and leadership skills.

Students research & select the local organization to receive the meals.

Students prepare & package ready-to-heat, free, take-home family dinners.

Weber and Mora have made significant contributions to AAFCS and the broader FCS community, including: Hosting conference attendees for tours of their facilities and kitchens, providing valuable insight into their innovative work.

Launching a fellowship program covering the costs for participants to become AAFCS members.

Actively engaging with the FCS community, including serving as keynote speakers and presenting at conferences, participating in podcasts, and supporting AAFCS initiatives.

UL STANDARDS & ENGAGEMENT Help Make Summer DIY Safer!

Summer DIY projects are in full swing, yet power tool accidents continue to send more than 400,000 people to emergency rooms annually, as reported by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Wearing gloves and snug clothing helps, but it’s rigorous safety standards that guard against hidden hazards.

UL Standards & Engagement and CSA Group jointly issued UL 62841-1 to tackle hazards in electric handheld tools. This standard limits live part exposure and mechanical dangers to keep tools safer by design. Developed by consensus, this standard reflects input from scientists, industry leaders, regulators, retailers and end users.

We’re looking for individuals who are passionate about safety to join the Technical Committee responsible for maintaining this standard. No advanced credentials are required, just your perspective and commitment to safety. Join us to help make every DIY project safer. Click here to learn how to get involved today.

KING ARTHUR BAKING COMPANY Banana Bread Blondies – Quick, Chewy, and Ultra-Simple

BANANA BREAD BLONDIES

If you’re looking for a classroom‑friendly bake, these banana bread blondies are a perfect choice. Made in one saucepan from start to finish, they combine banana bread flavor with a chewy blondie texture — and they’re ready in just around 40 minutes with minimal cleanup.

Students will get to practice stovetop mixing, simple spreading, and watching how caramelized banana transforms the batter. These bars are ideal for teaching basic measuring, heat‑and‑stir technique, and timing — all while delivering big flavor and big smiles in the classroom. Want to make them whole grain? You can substitute Golden Wheat Flour for half or all of the All Purpose Flour with no other adjustments needed. Give this recipe a try in your next lesson and share the joy of easy baking with students.

AAFCS, 1410 King Street, Floor 2, Alexandria, VA 22314, www.aafcs.org

REALITY WORKS NEW TOOLS. FREE LESSONS. FRESH INSPIRATION. Discover new hands-on tools and free soft skills lessons to engage your FCS students. Our 2025 FCS Program Catalog features resources for early childhood education, career readiness, culinary arts, and more - all designed to make learning interactive and real-world.

Get your catalog and free lessons today here!

TROUTWOOD, INC. LEARNING PERSONAL FINANCE SKILLS WITH TROUTWOOD Troutwood gives educators and professionals the tools to teach real-world financial skills—budgeting, investing, goal setting, and more. Our platform is intuitive, engaging, and built to be used right away with teacher guides, students guides and videos.

With the help of Finn, Troutwood’s interactive guide, gain the confidence to make smart money decisions that last a lifetime.

From the classroom to life beyond school, Troutwood bridges the gap between education and financial independence. Whether you’re introducing key concepts or reinforcing essential habits, our tools help you build lessons that matter.

Join educators across the country bringing financial literacy to life.

AAFCS, 1410 King Street, Floor 2, Alexandria, VA 22314, www.aafcs.org

TONIES DISCOVER CHILDREN’S IMAGINATION THROUGH TONIES The Toniebox is a screen-free audio player designed especially for young children. The Toniebox helps nurture emergent literacy, sparks creativity, and significantly reduces screen time — all while keeping kids entertained and engaged.

Utilizing the Toniebox has many educational benefits. It is a powerful tool in early childhood environments.

Learn more about Tonies and how the Toniebox can enhance your early childhood education here.

TONIES AND AAFCS The webinar explored the Toniebox, a screen-free, tactile audio player designed to promote early literacy, creativity, and reduce screen time for young children. With a durable, squeezable design and seven-hour battery life, the Toniebox is ideal for schools, libraries, clinics, homes, and community programs. It plays preloaded or custom audio content through RFID-enabled figurines and works offline after the initial setup, making it accessible for families with limited internet access.

Research findings presented showed a 32% improvement in emergent literacy scores and a 25% reduction in screen time among users. Additional benefits include improved attention, engagement, comprehension, and vocabulary. The Toniebox catalog features partnerships with Disney, National Geographic, Dr. Seuss, and others, offering a wide range of educational and entertainment options.

The session also highlighted the Toniebox’s use for children on the autism spectrum and its growing role in educational, therapeutic, and community settings. Future developments include expanded research initiatives and new content focusing on early learning, mindfulness, and discovery.

Watch Now in the THINK FCS Library

AAFCS, 1410 King Street, Floor 2, Alexandria, VA 22314, www.aafcs.org

The AAFCS Collaborative Network aims to provide FCS professionals with the resources and support to advance their work in improving the lives of individuals, families, and communities.

VOLUME 2 | 2025

AAFCS, 1410 King Street, Floor 2, Alexandria, VA 22314, www.aafcs.org