Collaborative Network Newsletter Volume 4

NEWSLETTER

AAFCS

COLLABORATIVE NETWORK VOLUME 4 | 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.

TROUTWOOD, INC. TROUTWOOD PRO – A FINANCIAL PLANNING AND ENGAGEMENT PLATFORM. Troutwood, a Pittsburgh based fintech, uniquely connects individuals to their financial institution and employer through a multi-modal engagement platform and PRO planning application.

This combination, a first of its kind in the industry, enables individuals to receive much needed financial guidance and support at any age and stage of their career, independent of salary or net worth.

With financial wellness now topping the employee benefit wish list, organizations can better support and incentive positive financial behaviors with TROUTWOOD.

UL STANDARDS & ENGAGEMENT At UL Standards & Engagement, we believe safety helps make the holidays truly shine. The 90% of Americans we surveyed for this year’s holiday guide who plan to celebrate Thanksgiving and winter holidays will deck their homes with lights, cook elaborate meals, travel long distances, and fill their carts with gifts.

Those seasonal shifts come with added safety risks — ones that can turn festive moments into emergencies.

Our 2025 study uncovered several surprising misconceptions about holiday safety that could put families at risk. The good news? A few simple steps can keep celebrations bright, joyful, and safe — exactly as the season should be.

Download the full report today to keep your holidays safe and full of cheer!

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

EDUCATED CHOICES PROGRAM E-LIBRARY: FREE FOOD EDUCATION On-demand access to free food education! ECP’s resources include videos, lesson plans, activities, and more follow-up resources that empower students to make more informed food choices.

NEW HEALTH RESOURCE: HEART SMART Empower students with the knowledge to reduce their risk of developing heart disease, the leading cause of death worldwide, through healthy food choices.

FOOD WASTE PREVENTION RESOURCES “Rethinking Food Waste” includes a 19-minute video that follows a slice of pizza from farm ingredients to landfill, exploring food waste along the way, before offering easy steps to reduce your impact.

AFSA EDUCATION FOUNDATION Deliver high-quality, personal finance education today with MoneySKILL®.

Designed by experts and endorsed by teachers, MoneySKILL is a FREE web-based personal finance course for educators to use with students in middle school, high school, and into adulthood. Courses are customizable, available in English and Spanish, and student activity and progress can be monitored through built-in quizzes and tests. Instructors can choose content from 37 different topics areas including budgeting, savings, vehicle financing, and so much more.

Register here for your free MoneySKILL instructor account today and start customizing your class!

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

MONEY HABITUDES It has been a joy supporting the Family and Consumer Sciences community throughout 2025, and we were thrilled to connect with so many of you along the way. This year, we were proud to support more than 20 state conferences!

As we look ahead to 2026, we hope to continue donating Money Habitudes products to help make your events even more engaging and impactful. To plan effectively, we need your help — please take a moment to complete this short form.

In addition, we’re seeking recommendations for speakers who can share valuable insights on money behaviors, financial wellbeing, and related topics at 2026 conferences and events. If you know a speaker who would be a great fit for the FCS community, we’d love for you to share their information with us through the form as well.

Thank you for the important work you do to strengthen individuals, families, and communities. We look forward to partnering again in 2026. Please feel free to share this message with others in your FCS community who may be planning events for the upcoming year.

KING ARTHUR BAKING CO. AND AAFCS In October, the King Arthur Baking Company partnered with the American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) to host a sourdough workshop. The King Arthur Baking Company’s Bake for Good team led a virtual class to help bulk up sourdough skills. This 90-minute workshop began with the history and science of sourdough. Then, strategies for growing and maintaining sourdough cultures at school were shared. The program ended with a demonstration of two sourdough recipes that you can take directly to your classroom.

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 4 | 2025

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