2021 NEAFCS Regional and National Award Winners
Continued Excellence Award - Melanie Jewkes
The award recognizes NEAFCS members who have been actively involved in professional improvement programs, the promotion of professional development of others, and leadership.
Distinguished Service Award - Stacey MacArthur
The Distinguished Service Award is the highest award presented by the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences. The award recognizes members for leadership, educational program efforts and professional development.
NEAFCS Regional and National Award Winners
Amanda Christensen
- Smart Money Tips
- Program Description: To address the need for timely, personal finance education for Utahans, I authored weekly, one-minute, Smart Money Tips radio segments for Utah Public Radio on behalf of USU Extension.
- 1st Place Western Region Winner
- 1st Place National Winner
Ashley Yaugher & Team
- Heart Initiative Addresses Opioid Crisis
- Program Description: The USU Extension HEART Initiative provides collaborative, evidence-based information to communities to address the opioid crisis and pressing public health concerns. HEART focuses on emerging concerns of families throughout Utah.
- Team Members: Timothy Keady, Gabriela Murza, Rachel Myrer, Mateja Savoie-Roskos, Maren Wright Voss
- 1st Place Western Region Winner
- 1st Place National Winner
Encourages excellence in communications in nine categories, including written press release, special feature story, or personal news column.
Ashley Yaugher & Team
- A Tale of Two Crises: Opioid Use Disorder and COVID-19
- Program Description: The HEART Initiatives Utah State Magazine article, A Tale of Two Crises: Opioid Use Disorder and COVID-19 distributed important evidence-based information about these two crises throughout the state.
- Team Members: Timothy Keady, Gabriela Murza, Rachel Myrer, Mateja Savoie-Roskos, Maren Wright Voss
- 1st Place Western Region Winner
- 3rd Place National Winner
Recognizes NEAFCS members for their efforts in building community partnerships to meet the educational needs and/or concerns of families.
Maren Voss & Team
- Community Health Partnership Expanding Pain Management & Health Education Outreach in Utah
- Program Description: Pain management education was voiced as a community need and a unique partnership between USU Extension and community health agencies helped spread evidence-based workshops to multiple counties in Utah.
- Team Members: Timothy Keady, Gabriela Murza, Rachel Myrer, Mateja Savoie-Roskos, Ashley Yaugher
- 2nd Place Western Region Winner
This award recognizes excellence in curriculum development. Application includes teaching curriculum and supporting documents.
Ashley Yaugher
- Community Opioid Education Dinner Curriculum
- Program Description: The evidence-based Community Opioid Education Dinner Curriculum was delivered six times. A collaborative approach ensured community reach to over 289 participants to reduce the opioid crisis.
- 2nd Place Western Region Winner
Recognizes outstanding marketing package promoting a class, program, or pertinent Family & Consumer Sciences issue.
Ashley Yaugher & Team
- HEART Initiative Health & Wellness Marketing
- Program Description: The USU Extension HEART Initiative provides evidence-based information via multiple marketing efforts to address the opioid crisis and other pressing public health concerns. Materials provide information for current community needs.
- Team Members: Timothy Keady, Gabriela Murza, Rachel Myrer, Mateja Savoi-Roskos, Maren Wright Voss
- 2nd Place Western Region Winner
Recognizes innovation and accomplishments in the design and implementation of an FCS program.
Gabi Murza & Team
- USU Extension Expands COVID-19 Health Guidance Messaging to Slow the Spread
- Program Description: USU Extension faculty build upon the Governor’s COVID-19 directives by producing messaging surrounding mental well-being, self-care, and physical health. Results show wide reach and positive changes in behaviors and attitudes.
- Team Members: Melanie Jewkes, Celina Wille, Cynthia Lyman, Emma Parkhurst, Paige Wray, Teresa Hunsaker, Ashley Yaugher, Tim Keady, Julene Reese, Aubree Thomas, Terence Larson, Michael Wernert, Mike Whitesides, Dennis Hinkamp
- 3rd Place Western Region Winner
Recognizes outstanding efforts and accomplishments of individuals and/or teams in diversity and pluralism for any Extension FCS program or activity, including staff development, advisory councils, programs, etc.
Sandy Sulzer & Team
- Engaging Tribal Community through the Tribal and Rural Opioid Initiative
- Program Description: The Tribal and Rural Opioid Initiative, developed by Extension faculty in partnership with tribal community leaders, has developed programs to serve and uplift diverse communities impacted by the opioid epidemic.
- Team Members: Suzanne Prevedel, Cassandra Manning, Michelle Chapoose, Katie Zaman, Claire Warnick, Jennifer Peatross, Maren Wright Voss
- 3rd Place Wester Region Winner
Encourages excellence in communications in nine categories, including educational publications.
Maren Voss & Team
- Educational Publication Reduces Opioid Risks by Meeting Public Need for Pain Management Education
- Program Description: High opioid prescribing rates and unrealistic pain management expectations lead to long-term use of opioids as a primary pain management strategy. Preventative pain management education has helped address these risks.
- Team Members: Timothy Keady, Gabriela Murza, Rachel Myrer, Mateja Savoie-Roskos, Ashley Yaugher
- 1st Place Western Region Winner
- 2nd Place National Winner