March is Women’s History Month which focuses on the outstanding obstacles women have overcome throughout current and past events. Women’s accomplishments are vast throughout history, but they continue to face challenges spanning all ethnicities, cultures, races and ages in all parts of the world. These occur in the workplace, school, and in their social lives. However, through perseverance and bravery, their accomplishments have always outshone their battles.

Check out womenshistorymonth.gov

Family & Parenting

March is Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate the accomplishments of women and also inspire a new generation of young women. As parents, we may have good intentions of educating our children about these important figures, but it’s a daunting task. After all, there are so many amazing women. We’ve simplified this complex topic with kid-friendly books that feature strong, successful women. Spoiler alert: boys will like them, too.

CLICK HERE

Financial Literacy

National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) is just around the corner! We hope you’ll join in this year from March 3 – 9 and consider organizing programs and doing outreach on consumer protection issues (avoiding scams, preventing identity theft, and reporting fraud) for people in your community.

Check out our website and follow social media for current information and links to help yourself and your family!

CLICK HERE

Fish Advisory



Fish are an important part of a healthy diet. Eating fish benefits you and your children’s health. Fish is a good low-fat protein that is filled with vital vitamins and minerals essential to heart and brain health. Fish provides key nutrients during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and/or early childhood that support child development: components like Omega-3 and omega-6 fats, Iron, Iodine, Choline and zinc to support children’s immune systems and other nutrients like riboflavin, vitamin B12, vitamin D, and selenium too.

If you are pregnant, might become pregnant, nursing, or have children, it's important to eat fish for the health benefits but also make smart choices to minimize your risk from exposure to contaminants. In the womb and through the six years after birth, children undergo extraordinary cell growth. Toxic chemicals can disrupt a child's developing brain and immune system.

In adults, mercury can affect the nervous and cardiovascular system. PCBs can affect the blood, liver, and immune system. To assure you gain the health benefits from eating fish, note the local fish advise on the location and type of fish you catch and eat use our shopping for fish guide when purchasing fish and prepare fish as directed. Visit our website for additional information and resources.

Fish and women side bar facts:

1. In recent years, the number of fishing licenses sold to females has steadily risen, showing an increased interest in the sport— and for good reason. This activity has real physical and psychological benefits. Family fun time, sport, nutrition, and food supplementation are just a few. Check out: http://www.takemefishing.org/
2. This International Women’s Day let’s celebrate women’s countless contributions to fisheries and remember that we need them in the fight to save the oceans and feed the world. As international development agency USAID explained in a video series called The Hidden Half, “Without [women], boats would remain unprepared on shore, fish would not be processed for market, and communities would be left uncared for.
3. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service there are 9.8 million women anglers in America. If you would like a glimpse into some diverse and vivid portraits of some women who are passionate about their favorite outdoor sport check out: Fifty Women Who Fish by Steve Katner.

Please contact Jessica directly: 845-677-8223 ext 137 to discuss this opportunity further!

The Family & Consumer Education Program counts entirely on grants and donations to maintain and grow the services we offer throughout Dutchess County. Click the button below to see how you can contribute to maintaining the success of these initiatives!