Family and Individual Well-Being
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Valerie Y. Conner
Regional Extension Agent
Autauga County

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Specializing in Human Nutrition, Diet and Health
- Bachelor’s Degree in Family and Consumer Science with major focus on Foods and Nutrition and Child Development
- Master’s Degree in Adult Education
- 23 Years of Service with Extension
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- Provides program that promote good nutrition and healthy lifestyles
- Helps individuals to understand and reduce environmental risk factors in the home
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Upcoming Workshops:
Eat Healthy, Be Active Series
6 Workshops beginning February 21, 2013 - March 28, 2013
Classes meet on Thursdays and last one hour
Location: Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, 501 Doster Rd., Prattville
Click here for more information
March is National Nutrition Month

Children need to start early in developing healthy eating habits. These healthy habits will stay with your children as they grow. However, all is not lost if the start was rocky. The following are things parents can do to help children eat right.
Make family mealtimes a priority. Meals should be planned in advance to ensure that you are offering a wide range of healthy items. Research shows that children who eat with their family tend to have a healthier diet.
Be flexible about food. Children can develop an unhealthy preoccupation with food if parents are overly restrictive about it. Food should not be offered as a reward or a punishment. Don’t expect perfection; just make sure that the majority of choices are healthy. Also if you have a picky eater and he or she isn’t open to new choices, be persistent. Kids need several exposures to a new food before becoming comfortable with a new item.
Encourage your child to get involve with meal planning. It is important to seek your child’s involvement in the family menu. Children can provide healthy suggestions to the menu if you give them reasonable options. Also, children can do age-appropriate tasks like setting the table or tearing lettuce for the salad.
Healthy eating is just part of a healthy lifestyle. Families should get active. Planning regular physical activities as a family is a great way to encourage your child to get moving. Children learn from their parents so parents need to be good role models for healthy living.
Visit the ANDA Facebook Page for more information about various activities that may be going on in your community through ANDA members https://www.facebook.com/NatlNutritionMonth
Submitted by Valerie Y. Conner, Regional Extension Agent, Human Nutrition, Diet & Health, Telephone 334-361-7273, email yatesvd@aces.edu
http://www.aces.edu/family-health/health-nutrition/
New Leaf Program
Overweight and Obesity in the South
Diabetes At Work
Diabetes affects almost 21 million Americans, one third of whom don't know they have it. Another 54 million Americans have pre-diabetes, which raises their risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Diabetes is hitting hard during the working years. Between 1997 and 2004, diabetes incidence increased 45% among persons aged 18-44 years and increased 34% among persons aged 45-64 years. Poorly-controlled diabetes and its complications can contribute to absenteeism and affect productivity on the job.
USDA's MyPlate - Home page
Valerie Conner Photo Gallery
Janice Hall
Regional Extension Agent
Autauga County

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Specializing in Human Nutrition, Diet and Health
- Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition and Food Science, Auburn University
- Master’s Degree in Health Studies and
Health Promotions, University of Alabama
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- Provides the ServSafe Training to Food Service Establishments, Childcare Providers, Head Start Programs, Child Nutrition Programs
- Educates the community on how to prepare and preserve foods
- Provides general food safety programs
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UPCOMING WORKSHOPS:
What's the Big Deal with Coupons?
Tuesday, March 19th, 2013
Doster Center in Prattville, Alabama
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Class
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Field Trip
Click Here for Details and How to Register
Sallie Lide-Hooker
Regional Extension Agent

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Specializing in Family & Child Development
- Graduated from Alabama College earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Vocational Home Economics
- Master’s Degree from University of Alabama in Home Economics Education
- 7 years of service with Extension
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•Provides programs for parents attending Kids and Kin Programs
• Locating Grandparent or relative caregivers of the 1,113 youth in Autauga County to develop support groups and provide legal information related to their particular situation
• Provides Day Care Provider Training and will provide Family Development Credential Training
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Sallie Lide-Hooker Receives National CFLE Designation
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Yvonne D. Thomas
County Extension Coordinator

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Background & Education:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Communications specializing in Speech from Troy State University
- Master’s Degree in Counseling & Student Development from Tuskegee University
- 12 years of service with Extension
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Specializing in:
- Family and Child Development
- 4-H and Youth Development
- Community Resource Development

Did you know that in a recent national survey, 1 in 10 teens reported being hit or physically hurt on purpose by a boyfriend or girlfriend at least once in the 12 months prior to the survey?? (CDC)
Check out the useful resources about teen dating violence from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to learn more.
ACES Publications:
Parenting Links of Interest:
Extension Parenting Resources
Parent Talk - A Publication for Alabama's Parents
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