Home and Family Information

Local News

Thanksgiving dinner

$30 Servers 8 a Healthy Holiday Dinner
(Posted on 11/17/2009)
Thanksgiving is just a couple weeks away and for many of us that means lots of great food. But it doesn’t have to mean a lot of calories, extra weight, and an empty wallet. Last weekend we figured out a traditional menu that will serve 8 people a healthy meal for $30.

Christmas Tree

Christmas Trees:
(Posted on 11/17/2009)
For many families, picking out their traditional REAL Christmas Tree at an Iowa choose and harvest farm, has become an annual event. Getting the family together revolves around warm peaceful traditions that sometimes date back generations.

carbon monoxide detector

Carbon Monoxide Safety Issues
(Posted on 11/17/2009)
With the rising energy costs and trying to save money, many have went to extra measures to seal up the home. That combined with the cooler temperatures forcing people to spend more time inside the home greatly increases the chances of Carbon Monoxide poisoning. Click on the picture for more details

Home Office

Extension Energy Tip of the Week
(Posted on 11/17/2009)
Extension Energy Tip: Audit your home office for energy savings

Eye

U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
(Posted on 11/17/2009)
Insulation Properly insulating your home will not only help reduce your heating and cooling costs but also make your home more comfortable. Here you'll find the following information:

Tax Refund

Tax Returns Can Put Money in Your Pocket!
(Posted on 11/16/2009)
Filing a tax return is no fun, but the effort can be positive if taxpayers make sure they take advantage of refundable tax credits!

grieving

Handling Holidays if you're Grieving
(Posted on 11/16/2009)
The holiday season, with the emphasis on joy and festivities, can be a difficult time for those struggling with terminal illness, or grieving a diagnosis, death or divorce.

Calendar

ISU Extension's Growing Green garden calendar.
(Posted on 10/26/2009)
Learn about earth-friendly gardening all year long with ISU Extension's Growing Green garden calendar. Also get details on "green" topics like compost, rain collection, beekeeping and houseplants.

In Over Your Head/Life-Saving Strategies for Financial Crisis
(Posted on 10/7/2009)
Life-Saving Strategies for Financial Crisis A new publication shares tips for dealing with creditors, when to seek professional help and how to develop a self-directed repayment plan to reduce debts.

booklet picture

Family Child Care Provider training scheduled in Red Oak and
(Posted on 3/18/2009)
Family Child Care providers interested in learning how to assess the quality of their child care. In this four session series providers will have a chance to talk and share with other family child care providers, will begin a self-assessment of their care, with participate in an observation of a local family child care home and will gain practice in using the new Family Child Care Quality Rating Scale (FCCERS).

veggies

Six “Smart Ways” to Raise Veggie Eating Kids!
(Posted on 3/5/2009)
Believe it or not, it is possible to raise kids who enjoy eating a wide variety of vegetables. Discover the secrets of what to do and one big tip on what not to do to raise veggie eating kids.

face

Attitude Is Key to Enjoying Life
(Posted on 12/1/2006)
Times are tough for many Iowa families, yet other families are doing OK. Could this just be one of those mysteries of life?

CHILDCARE

CHILD CARE LASTS A LIFETIME CAMPAIGN--MAKE SURE IT'S QUALITY CARE
(Posted on 10/21/2005)
Finding quality child care is a concern for many parents and rightly so!

children

Ready Set Know Program
(Posted on 9/2/2005)
Ready Set Know is a self protection program for children to Prevent Sexual Abuse.

News from Iowa State University Extension

In Times of Stress, Manage Conflict, Don’t Blame — and Call Iowa Concern
(Posted on 11/16/2009)
The coordinator of Iowa State University Extension’s Iowa Concern Hotline offers tips to keep conflict positive when dealing with stress and economic hard times.
ISU Extension Offers Resources for Farmers Under Stress
(Posted on 10/30/2009)
Local ISU Extension offices can provide a gateway to a wide variety of resources available to help farm families deal with challenging times.
Iowans Say Changes Due to Recession and Community Education Are Permanent
(Posted on 10/30/2009)
Iowans are making spending changes during the recession that may become permanent, according to a recent national poll. At the same time they are willing to help people who are struggling, as exemplified in Iowa's Horizons communities.

Events


Families
More Families events

View the complete ISU Extension events Calendar

Staff

Alan Ladd-Regional Education Extension Director
Phone: 712-366-7070
Fax: 712-366-7024
Email: aladd@extension.edu

Mary L. Hughes-Field Specialist/Family Life
Phone: (712) 366-7070
Fax: (712) 366-7024
Email: mhughes@iastate.edu

Mary Beth Kaufman-Family Resource Management Field Specialist
Phone: (712) 755-3104
Fax: (712) 755-7112
Email: mbkaufma@iastate.edu

Mary Ward-Teen Parenting Facilitator
Phone: (712) 366-7070
Fax: (712) 366-7024
Email: maryw@iastate.edu

Mary Kouris-4-H Urban Program Assistant
Phone: (712) 366-7070
Fax: (712) 366-7024
Email: mkouris@iastate.edu

Resources from ISU Extension

  • Iowa School for the Deaf Campus
    Careers Building
    3501 Harry Langdon Blvd.
  • Council Bluffs, Iowa 51503
  • (712) 366-7070
  • cmboyer@iastate.edu