Family and Consumer Sciences

The Family and Consumer Sciences Program provides resources that advance community resiliency and family well-being. The objectives of this work are to contribute to advancing the socio-economic potential of communities, and the empowerment of people to achieve optimal well-being.

We develop our programming through a plan-of-work based on locally identified needs.The goal of our programs is improved quality of life for families and individuals in the areas of personal & family development; nutrition; health & safety; healthy homes and communities; family economics & resource management;and community resiliency.

A woman and her infant shop for fruit at a grocery store.

Food & Nutrition

Visit our Nutrition pages to find healthy recipes for your family, food safety tips, information on home canning and food preserving, and so much more!

Parenting with Confidence

Educating parents with the skills necessary to be confident caregivers of today’s youth

House being tested with thermal imaging camera, from Energy.gov

Family Economics & Community Resiliency

Everything you need to know to thrive in our community.

Anger Management

This page is under construction. Check back soon!

Contact

Rebecca Polmateer
Association Deputy Director
[email protected]
(518) 622-9820 x117

Last updated March 6, 2023

Family & Consumer Sciences

Get Your Personal Finances on Track!

Here are a few tips to help you get started.

Create a budget.The first step toward taking control of your financial life is to find out how much money you take in and how much you spend. Use our budget worksheet to get started.
Pay yourself first. Consider using a payroll savings plan to automatically deposit a certain amount of money into your savings account each payday.
Keep credit card use under control. Got a credit card? Remember, incidental purchases add up. Paying only the minimum amount due each month can result in finance charges that quickly make small purchases very costly. Your credit also can take a hit. If possible, pay your full balance every month.
Protect your personal information. Reduce your risk of identity theft. Here’s how: Ask questions before sharing your personal information and know who you’re sharing the information with; store and dispose of your personal information securely; and maintain appropriate security on your computers and other electronic devices. While you’re at it, check out the warning signs that someone might be using your personal information.
Order your credit report from annualcreditreport.com. Make sure the information is accurate, complete, and up-to-date before you apply for a mortgage or other loan, buy insurance, or apply for a job. If you find errors, dispute them.
Learn about your options, and what to expect at the dealership, before you lease or finance a new or used vehicle.
Comparison shop for home loans and mortgages. A mortgage is a product, just like a car, so the price and terms may be negotiable. You’ll want to compare all the costs involved in obtaining a mortgage. Shopping, comparing, and negotiating can save you thousands of dollars.

Please share our resources with friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors. And if you have a financial tip of your own, post it in our Comments section.

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Subscribe to our blog for consumer news and scam alerts.
Check out our most simple and direct information, at Consumer.gov.
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Follow@FTCfor the latest tweets from the FTC.

Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle Right This Summer

Whether you're breaking out the water toys, outdoor furniture, goggles and s'more sticks, planning to recreate locally, or having a cookout at home, it's important to remember how to properly recycle, reduce waste, and dispose of trash properly. Follow these recycling tips to reduce, reuse, and recycle right this summer.

Potato In Foil