The Alliance for Family & Consumer Sciences: Uniting to Achieve a Common Purpose

The Alliance for Family & Consumer Sciences is a coalition of organizations representing academia, industry, professional associations, and honor societies leading family and consumer sciences (FCS) efforts around the globe. The mission of the Alliance is to unify diverse organizations in common purpose by advancing the value and enhancing the visibility and viability of FCS globally.

Peggy Wild, PhD, CFCS Director, Advancing Connections Inc.

Denise DuBois Senior Family and Consumer Sciences Product Manager, Realityworks

of the Alliance for Family and Consumer Sciences

campaigned for legislation and policy initiatives to benefit partner organizations and their members, and developed strategies to strengthen the profession. Sponsors who support the Alliance financially include:

• Platinum: Association for Career and Technical Education/Family and Consumer Sciences Division; Advancing Connections Inc.

The Alliance was founded in 2006 by the American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (AAFCS). Today, AAFCS serves as managing partner of the Alliance, hosting the Alliance website and monthly meetings of the Alliance Partner Organizations. Over time, the Alliance has supported the FCS branding initiative, provided joint venues for professional development,

• Gold: National Extension Education Association of Family and Consumer Sciences; Realityworks; Goodheart-Willcox Publisher; LEAD FCS (Leading, Educating, Advocating, Developing Family and Consumer Sciences Education)

• Silver: Family and Consumer Sciences Education Association

• Bronze: Home Baking Association; International Federation of Home Economics

• Copper: Family, Career & Community Leaders of America build a consistent message from a diverse coalition of organizations representing academia, industry, professional associations, and honor societies.

As a co-chair to the Alliance, I have a chance to interact with passionate leaders in all areas relating to FCS education. The Alliance is a team with focus on the singular goal of advancing the value of FCS globally. Each year we plan a scope of work to advance the impact and visibility of FCS. One 2023 project is a data collection project with the goal of providing a single source of meaningful data points that can be used by all members of the Alliance to objectively support and show the impact of FCS education. A unified source of data will

Being the Alliance co-chair gives me an opportunity to network with the brightest individuals in FCS. Professional development opportunities are available for presenting as well as participation. As an industry professional representing an FCS product company, the real-world insight I receive on new product ideas, content areas that are lacking resources, and trends in FCS education are invaluable on the job.

The Alliance brings many voices to the table and welcomes input from everyone. This is especially important for the initiative to modernize the National Career Clusters Framework. We need to make sure our voices are heard, and we are well-represented. The Alliance will be the organization that leads this effort to success.