1	Headlines Reveal Critical Life Issues What’s Being Done About Them?
2	Obesity Epidemic 50% of U.S. adults are overweight 15% of children and adolescents are overweight also Approximately 2/3 of deaths each year are diet-related
3	Consumer Debt/Financial Crises More than 40% of American families spend more than they earn Credit card debt is at an all-time high Personal bankruptcy filings have increased by more than 200% during the past decade. Millions of adults face financial hardships during retirement
4	Lack of School Readiness/Academic Achievement Many children come to school unprepared to learn Parenting practices are linked to brain and other forms of human development Family involvement in education predicts academic achievement
5	School Dropouts/Unemployment High school dropouts earn one-half the annual income as a high school graduate Many growing career areas have a shortage of workers due to lack of skilled employees
6	Family and Consumer Sciences Education Provides Solutions! National Standards have been established for educational programs in these and other important areas Curricula and courses exist to address these problems proactively in middle and high schools throughout the U.S. FCCLA student organization extends learning and provides leadership opportunities for students
7	Sample Courses Nutrition and Wellness Family Financial Management/Consumer Economics Parenting Child Development Family Relationships Food Services Child Care Services
8	Sample FCCLA Programs Financial Fitness Student Body (nutrition) Families First Power of One Stop the Violence Career Connection Leaders at Work
9	Family and Consumer Sciences Education Making a Difference Today for a Better Tomorrow
10	Developed by The National Coalition for Family and Consumer Sciences Education
11	Sources Whitney & Rolfes (2005). Understanding Nutrition. National Center for Health Statistics (2004). Health in the United States. Keown (2004). Personal Finance. Rhode Island KidsCount (2005). The National School Readiness Indicators Initiative. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statustics (2003). Occupational Outlook Handbook.