2021 NEAFCS Awards (State-level Winners)
The highest award presented by NEAFCS. The award recognizes members for leadership, educational program efforts, and professional development. Must have been a member for 10 years or more and attended two or more annual sessions.
This award recognizes NEAFCS members who have previously received the Distinguished Service Award and continue to be actively involved in professional improvement programs, the promotion of professional development of others and leadership. Must have been a member for at least 12 years and attended three or more annual sessions.
Recognizes outstanding accomplishments of NEAFCS members within first five years from date of original employment with Cooperative Extension. Must attend annual session to receive award.
This award recognizes innovative programs that promote and improve the health and wellness of families including, but not limited to, nutrition, fitness, family meals, meal planning, time or stress management, and healthy lifestyle.
- Tai Chi for Health
- Program Description: Tai Chi for Health was implemented to improve quality of life for Senior Citizens through the physiological and psychological health benefits of Tai Chi. Participants reported an increase in life satisfaction and reduced fear of falling.
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.
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
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
Recognizes outstanding FCS programming presented by a multi-disciplinary team.
Gabriela Murza & Team
- USU Extension Combine Efforts to Create and Disseminate COVID-19 Health Guidance
- Program Description: USU Extension faculty combine expertise in health, wellness, and marketing to develop and disseminate COVID-19 health guidance in Utah. Results showed high reach and positive changes in attitudes and behaviors.
- 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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
Encourages excellence in communications in nine categories, including newsletters.
Ashley Yaugher & Team
- The HEART Beat Newsletter
- Program Description: The USU Extension HEART Beat Newsletter provides evidence-based information to community members and key stakeholders. To date, there have been 24 successful issues distributed via email listserv and online.
- Team Members: Timothy Keady, Gabriela Murza, Rachel Myrer, Mateja Savoie-Roskos, Maren Wright Voss
Encourages excellence in communications in nine categories, including educational television and/or video programming.
Gabriela Murza & Team
- USU’s HEART Initiative Uses Multimedia to Address Mental Wellness Topics
- Program Description: USU Extension’s HEART Initiative addresses topics related to mental well-being and self-care through quick courses and monthly HEART Bunch videos. Analytics and comments show positive impacts of the topics.
- Team Members: Timothy Keady, Rachel Myrer, Mateja Savoie-Roskos, Maren Wright Voss, Ashley Yaugher