Family and Community Health Sciences

Upcoming Events

Nutrition and Physical Activity for the Childbearing Years: A 3-Part Series from Pre-Conception Through Baby’s First Year by Michelle Brill, MPH, FCHS Educator of Mercer County

1. April 6 at 2pm: Pre-conception Health (image file)
   Is a pregnancy in your future? Preconception and “inter-conception” (between pregnancies) health matters. A healthy diet and ample physical activity are important for women planning a pregnancy. Join Michelle Brill, MPH, FCHS Educator of Mercer County, as she shares the latest nutrition and wellness guidance for women in the childbearing years.
   April 6 - registration link
2. April 13 at 2pm: Nutrition and Physical Activity During Pregnancy (image file)
   Pregnant? Congratulations! Join Michelle Brill, MPH, FCHS Educator of Mercer County, as she shares the latest nutrition, physical activity, and wellness guidance for pregnant women.
   April 13 - registration link
3. April 20 at 2pm: Postpartum Nutrition and Physical Activity (image file)
   Now that your baby is here your body’s nutritional needs are changing, particularly if you are breastfeeding. Join Michelle Brill, MPH, FCHS Educator of Mercer County, as she shares the latest nutrition, physical activity, and wellness guidance for postpartum women.
   April 20 - registration link

Cancer Thriving & Surviving

1. April 7–May 12: Cancer Thriving & Surviving
   Are you or someone you love battling cancer or who has beaten cancer? Michelle Brill, Family & Community Health Sciences Educator, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Mercer County, in partnership with the Hunterdon & Mercer Regional Chronic Disease Coalition and the Elixir Fund, is offering the highly acclaimed FREE Cancer Thriving & Surviving series now available virtually for Mercer County residents. Participants find it to be a great source of peer support, information and strength. Learn to better manage challenges including symptoms, the effects of treatment, emotions, relationships and living with uncertainty.
   Registration is open for this 6-week series running April 7–May 12 from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. Space is limited. Call Hunterdon Healthcare to register at 908-237-2328. For further information contact Michelle Brill at brill@njaes.rutgers.edu.
   Event flyer (PDF)

Mission Statement

FCHS promotes healthy lifestyles and environments for NJ residents and communities with an emphasis in nutrition, health and wellness.

Family and Community Health Sciences (FCHS) helps people stay healthy, enjoy life, be active, and reduce health care costs. Many of today's health problems--obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer--can be reduced through good nutrition and a healthy lifestyle. FCHS encourages today's busy families and individuals to learn more and make personal choices to improve health. FCHS combines research and practical advice to improve your health for a better tomorrow.

Key Department Initiatives

1. Get Moving – Get Healthy New Jersey encourages a healthy lifestyle, especially healthy eating and physical activity, through educational programs, a website, publications, and targeted marketing campaigns.
2. Grow Healthy is a wellness initiative that joins elementary schools, childcare/preschools, families, and the community together to make wellness and learning top priorities.
3. Small Steps to Health and Wealth motivates consumers to implement behavior change strategies that simultaneously improve their health and personal finances.
4. Worksite Wellness provides online evidence-based information that empowers employees to make better food choices, manage stress, and increase physical activity.

FCHS Outreach Focuses On

1. Nutrition, Physical Activity and Health
2. School and Child Care Wellness
3. Chronic Disease Prevention
4. Food Safety and Food Allergy
5. Food Security

Programs Offered in Mercer County

1. School Wellness Initiatives for Students, Parents, Staff, and Wellness Councils
2. Early Care Education/Child Care Wellness Initiatives
3. NEW Developmental Disabilities Training Series provides valuable training for the Cooperative Extension system and organizations which offer programs to individuals or audiences who have developmental disabilities. Topics include: Overview of Developmental Disabilities; Disabilities and Learning; Understanding and Managing Behavior; Visual Supports; Disabilities Laws and Program Accommodations and Modifications.
   1. Developmental Disabilities Training Series
   2. Developmental Disabilities Fact Sheets
4. NJ SNAP-Ed
5. "Early Stages": Informative Programs for New Parents
6. Take Control of Your Health: Chronic Disease Self-Management Program©
7. Take Control of Your Health: Cancer Thriving and Surviving©
8. Nutrition Education for Older Adults
9. Farmers Market Cooking Demonstrations
10. Shopping Smart Programs – Get the most nutrition for your money!
11. Employee Wellness Programs

Check out the Health Happenings and Services in Mercer County. Visit www.healthymercer.org.

Publications

• Statewide Visions Newsletter
• Food, Nutrition, and Health Fact Sheets & Bulletins

Partners

• Trenton Public Schools
• Greater Mercer Public Health Partnership
• Hunterdon-Mercer Regional Chronic Disease Coalition
• Family Resource Network
• Trenton Health Team

Contact

Michelle Brill, M.P.H., Family and Community Health Sciences Educator
Telephone: 609-989-6831
Email: brill@njaes.rutgers.edu