Health Summit Agenda

Full details about this workshop

When: 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Where: AgriLife Extension South Campus, 1470 William D. Fitch Parkway, Room 175
Maximum Participants: 20
Cost: No fee
Presenters: David Leal, Elaine Montemayor-Gonzalez, Amy Valdez, and Sumathi Venkatesh

Registration runs from 4:00 – 5:30 PM

Where: Pre-function area

The Opening Networking Reception runs from 5:30 – 6:15 PM

Where: Pre-function area

Remarks by Chancellor John Sharp

Keynote address by Dr. Timothy Harlan

Where: Ballroom

Where: Pre-function area / Ballroom

Learn more and participate in a Q&A session about the Certification for Healthcare Professionals and the Certified Culinary Medicine Specialist designation. The 60-credit curriculum comprised of online education, live conference learning, and hands-on teaching kitchen modules, the CCMS program is designed for those passionate about integrating dietary intervention and equips candidates with nutritional knowledge and culinary skills.

Dr. Timothy Harlan
Executive Director, George Washington University Culinary Medicine Program

Location: Ross

The Mature Driver Program (MDP) is a statewide, FREE community education program aimed at giving motorists over the age of 55 the tools they need to be safe on our roads. Program options include educational presentations tailored to the age 55+ group and can cover a variety of topics including how aging can affect driving skills, medication and its impact on drivers, warning signs of an unsafe driver and more.

Another program offered is CarFit, an educational program where older adults work with trained technicians to check how well their personal vehicles “fit” them for maximum comfort and safety. These programs as well as other traffic safety topics are offered to Texans at no charge. Driving is a key to independence; learn how to hold on to the keys as long and as safely as you can and how you can help others in your community.

Cindy Kovar
Program Manager

Location: Corps

How does it feel to be an emerging adult? Arnett (2015) proposes that it is an emotionally complex life stage, in which elation and anxiety are both common. Emerging adulthood also is a time of difficult transitions across multiple relationship domains such as dating and sexuality. As emerging adults experience those transitions, stress, uncertainty, lack of knowledge, and absence of sound guidance can lead to unhealthy decisions and self-harm. In this presentation, attendees will be acquainted with Success…powered by YOU (SPY), a program designed for 18 to 24 year olds seeking to learn healthy relationship skills. Participants will also learn about how to help the emerging adult apply and practice knowledge and skills learned in real-life situations. The presentation will also outline methods for improving program quality that result in improving learning outcomes for 18 to 24 year olds.

Dr. Lakshmi Mahadevan
Associate Professor & Extension Specialist

Laurie Naumann
Project Manager

Location: Reveille

This training will provide an overview of community settings that influence physical activity behavior and the resulting benefits. Agents will examine the factors that promote the use and re-use of these locations for physical activity and learn strategies to integrate these promotion efforts into their own existing active living program efforts.

Dr. Michael Lopez
Extension Program Specialist

Location: Hullabaloo

This interactive and engaging session will increase participants knowledge of the updated Cooperative Extension National Framework for Health Equity and Well-Being. Participants will also be provided practical examples of how land-grant universities across the nation are utilizing the National Framework to ensure that all people have an equal opportunity to experience lifelong health.

Dawn Burton
Health Coordinator
Cooperative Extension Program
Prairie View A&M University

Location: Oak

Healthy South Texas (HST) Youth Ambassador Road Trip was a unique experience created by a team of ten agents that offered HST youth ambassadors the ability to discover, explore, and learn about their local communities, as well as, have in-depth education/training in HST specific programs.

Megan Glidden
Aransas County Extension Agent – FCH

Boogie Barber
Refugio Extension Agent – Health

Karen Lyssy
Calhoun County Extension Agent – FCH

Location: Laurel

According to the CDC, around 20% of children ages 2-5 already meet the diagnostic criteria for obesity or overweight, putting them at risk for short-term and long-term health problems. Join us to learn more about this public health concern, what agencies across Texas are doing to intervene in early care and education settings, and ways you can get involved to support the lifelong health of our tiniest Texans.

Dr. Jodi Nerren
Assistant Professor & Extension Specialist

Location: Laurel

Healthy Kids Week is recognized nationally every year in April! Come learn about the NEW resources developed and available for use in your local schools and communities. We will also share tips, tricks, and strategies for greater outreach into schools!

Alice Kirk
Extension Program Specialist III

Micah Holcombe
Milam County Extension Agent – FCH

Keely McCrady
Johnson County Extension Agent – FCH

Location: Laurel

How do we motivate others, and perhaps ourselves, to adopt a healthy lifestyle? What type of motivation is best? Could we possibly be undermining motivation with our health messaging and education? This session will answer these questions by exploring a basic understanding of motivation, the importance of autonomy, lessons learned with good and bad examples, and simple tips for how to adapt health messaging and information to motivate healthy motivation.

Dr. Mark Faries
Associate Professor & Extension Specialist

Location: Ross

This interactive session will define food skills and showcase how they can assist the home cook in planning and preparing delicious healthy meals.  Useful and easy food hacks that can enhance nutritional quality will be shown.  Included will be discussion about how Mediterranean Diet principles can be applied to any global food culture.

Dr. Anne VanBeber
Professor, Texas Christian University

Location: Corps

We have heard a lot about fentanyl and exposure that is killing many in our state. This is a synthetic opioid that is being added to fake pills to make them a more potent drug. Fentanyl is so strong that just one pill can kill a person. Fentanyl is 50 to 100 times more potent than heroin or morphine. One way to help remove pills from Texas communities is to properly dispose of unused prescription medications. The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the Controlled Substances Act. This made Delta 8, a substance found in a cannabis legal to be sold. These are evolving issues effecting our communities across the state of Texas.

Bobbie Brooks
Program Manager

Location: Reveille

When families cannot find quality, regulated child care, they are forced to make tough decisions about their employment and their children’s safety. In this session, we will look at how well the child care supply meets the demand in communities across the state and introduce a curriculum you can use to help create oases in the so-called child care deserts that exist throughout Texas.

Dr. Jodi Nerren
Assistant Professor & Extension Specialist

Amy Foster-Palmer
Project Specialist III

Beverly Reed
Project Specialist III

Stacie Stefka
Project Specialist III

Location: Hullabaloo

Foodborne illness is a major public health concern in the United States from consumer to retail. Foodborne illnesses are not only common but costly and following non-science-based practices could lead to foodborne illness or life-long health issues. Discover what is fact and fiction to create effective educational interventions that educate individuals on accurate science-based food safety behaviors.

Rebecca Dittmar
Extension Program Specialist II

Julie Prouse
Extension Associate

Location: Oak

Stress Less with Mindfulness is a five class series that introduces participants to the experience and practice of mindfulness to reduce stress. In this program showcase, participants will be introduced to the program and how it has been implemented in Hidalgo County. Participants will learn the program delivery and be given tips on how to successfully guide program participants through this mindfulness class.

Dr. Andrea Valdez
Hidalgo County Extension Agent – FCH

Miquela Smith
Extension Program Specialist II – Health

Location: Laurel

In Texas, the annual average prevalence of past-year mental health service use among those with any mental illness in Texas was 39.5% (or 1.4 million), lower than both the regional average (41.2%) and the national average (43.6%) (SAMSHA, 2021). Reasons for not seeking treatment mainly include stigma, which in turn contribute to the increasing morbidity and mortality associated with mental illness (Holder, Peterson, Stephens & Crandall, 2018).

This presentation will provide an outline of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service’ “Reducing Opioid Use and Misuse through Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) in Rural Texas” (MHFA_RTX) grant. This project works to address mental health and resource disparities, reduce the stigma of talking about mental health challenges and encourages appropriate care-seeking among various underserved communities, including rural residents, service providers and the military (both active and veteran populations).

Rachel Brauner
Extension Program Specialist – Military Programs

Dr. Lakshmi Mahadevan
Associate Professor & Extension Specialist

Location: Laurel

In this session, Dr. Kellstedt will outline the physical and mental health benefits of being in nature and provide strategies and events to share in your community for blending active recreation and time outside in nature.

Dr. Debra Kellstedt
Assistant Professor & Extension Health Specialist

Location: Ross

This interactive session will define food skills and showcase how they can assist the home cook in planning and preparing delicious healthy meals.  Useful and easy food hacks that can enhance nutritional quality will be shown.  Included will be discussion about how Mediterranean Diet principles can be applied to any global food culture.

Dr. Anne VanBeber
Professor, Texas Christian University

Location: Corps

The leading health issues for young people can be addressed through prevention education which focuses on knowledge and behavior change. This education must be provided in a way which young people relate to, understand, and accept. Day camps, workshops, technology, and fun activities are just a few ways to engage young people in learning. This session will provide educators innovative ideas, methodologies, resources, and curriculum for camps, workshops, and activities designed to not only improve nutrition and health knowledge and behaviors but allow participants to have fun while learning! The Camp Health session will also include ways to empower youth and adult volunteers to assist with the planning and implementation of high quality, high energy educational events at the local level.

Dr. Julie Gardner
Extension Program Specialist II – Youth Healthy Lifestyles

Location: Reveille

In this session, participants will learn about planning, shooting and editing video. Topics covered include how to write a storyboard, recording usable content, editing for simplicity, not flash; accessibility requirements; and when to use video. All skill levels and experience welcome.

Rudy Ruedas
Brand Outreach Specialist
Texas A&M AgriLife Marketing & Communications

Location: Hullabaloo

Emerging adults (18-24 yrs) in the US are often transitioning from a home environment with several supports to an independent living situation. Some emerging adults are continuing with their education and living in or around a university campus. Others have entered the work environment. Research shows the diet quality and food security levels of emerging adults are relatively low. In this session you will learn about the diet quality and food security experienced by emerging adults. You will also learn about the programs and resources available to assist this population. As well as ideas for engaging with your local community to help improve the diet quality and food security of emerging adults.

Dr. Beth Racine
AgriLife Research El Paso Center Director
Extension Associate Department Head for Nutrition

Location: Oak

Come learn about the Grow It, Cook It program and how to utilize the extra produce in your garden. This interdisciplinary / educational program will give you an in depth look into growing and cooking specific vegetables and fruits.

Shea Nebgen
Gillespie County Extension Agent – FCH

Location: Laurel

Gardening projects can help reinforce learning in existing Extension programs such as Learn Grow, Eat Go! or provide opportunities for physical activity alternatives as part of Walk Across Texas. Gardening projects can also help build a sense of community among individuals with diverse backgrounds; but, how can we ensure everyone who wants to participate/contribute is able? A person with an intellectual and/or developmental disability may require specific adaptations or modifications.

During this session, we will discuss the new Weeding Out Barriers Guide to help provide accessible and inclusive strategies for Extension staff, community partners, coalitions, and volunteers to engage individuals with disabilities.

Skyler Mueller
Program Coordinator II

Erin Fogarty
Program Coordinator II

Location: Laurel

Forest and nature therapy, also commonly referred to as forest bathing or Shinrin-yoku in Japanese culture, is a nature-centered ecotherapy practice designed to deepen a personal connection to the natural world and improve overall health and wellbeing. This type of immersive practice, known around the world for its success in generating heightened states of mindfulness and feelings of connectedness, is growing in popularity across the United States for its effectiveness as a tool for combating the negative effects of prolonged burnout, stress, and anxiety. While it is true that spending unstructured or even recreational time in nature can have positive effects on the body and mind in general, an ever-expanding body of empirical research lends its support of the magnitude and timeliness of successes achieved by the forest therapy interventions, often producing measurable results after just one walk.  The practice, led by a certified professional guide and often offered in a group setting, is shown to quickly and significantly improve cognitive function and mental wellness while also actively improving physical health by lowering levels of the stress hormone, cortisol, in the blood, reducing blood pressure, and even improving parasympathetic and sympathetic nerve function.

The process follows a standard, structured sequence in which participants are guided through a series of forest-based sensory invitations designed to heighten self-awareness and sense of reciprocity with the surrounding environment. The experience, often described by past participants as “transformative,” offers an escape from the busyness and heaviness of our day-to-day lives and provides a safe and gently-supportive space where each participant is free to navigate and interpret the natural world in their own unique way. Forest and nature therapy guides open doors to consciously grounded connections and a heightened sense of external and self-awareness, closing with an opportunity to engage the sense of taste through a ritual tea brewed from a local native plant. Each session is designed to be flexible and adaptable to any nature setting, proving that the positive benefits of nature exposure aren’t exclusive to extended stays in the remote wilderness but rather can utilize nature in all its forms, ever present in the places where we live, work, and play.

Jacey Tosh
Texas A&M Forest Service

Sarah Coles
Texas Children in Nature Network

Location: Ballroom

Dancing is definitely fun and enjoyable, and there are also many health benefits associated with this activity, including (1) Better Brain Health – A study done by the New England Journal of Medicine found that dancing can boost memory and even prevent the onset of dementia. (2) Improved Flexibility and Reduced Stiffness – Simple stretches associated with dancing can help ease joint pain. (3) Weight Loss – A study in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology found aerobic dance training can help you lose just as much weight as biking or jogging. Dance can be beneficial for people of all ages. So, let’s dance with different rhythms and start moving!

Lilian Mezquida
Cameron County Extension Agent – FCH

Sarah Coles
Texas Children in Nature Network

Location: Ross

Join in this fun adventure exploring the Texas A&M University campus while teaming up with colleagues to compete in a photo scavenger hunt! Participants should be sure to bring a phone with camera capabilities.

Gayle Bludau
Gonzales County Extension Agent – FCH

Location: Reveille

Walk Across Texas (WAT): Moves to Fit You! (MTFY) focuses on providing participants with the opportunity to explore and exercise different methods of physical activity they can implement throughout their day or week. WAT: Moves to Fit You uses experiential learning to teach the importance of participating in physical activity, goal setting, and targeted methods of movement for different age groups, accessibility, levels of intensity, and hydration. This program targets behaviors that research shows to be most important for preventing obesity and chronic disease. The program was written using the “4 A” dialogue approach for more effective retention and application of information and skills. Each station includes an Anchor, which connects participants’ experiences or interests, new information to Add, a chance to Apply newly gained information interactively, and an Away, a goal setting challenge for the participant to use in their daily lives. Each station also includes an instruction guide for the program lead to use, interactive health information, and fun physical activities. The intent of the workshop is for participants to leave the session with another educational approach on how to increase adult participation for Walk Across Texas and to engage adult seniors and adults with disabilities to exercise in a safe and more health-conscious approach.

Luisa Colin
Special Initiatives Coordinator – Healthy Texas

Erica Reyes
Extension Program Specialist – Healthy Texas

Angie Sifuentes
Webb County Extension Agent – FCH

Location: Hullabaloo

Join your colleagues for a one-hour yoga session offered by The Bridge Yoga. If you plan to participate, please bring a yoga mat or beach towel.

The Bridge Yoga
thebridgeyogabcs.com

Location: Corps

Where: Pre-function area / Ballroom

In this session, we will cover everything you need to get started in Canva including: Canva free vs. Canva pro, proper dimensions for pint and digital designs, how to edit, share and download designs, choosing the right file type, and properly branding for your program. Recommended for new and intermediate users.

Rudy Ruedas
Brand Outreach Specialist
Texas A&M AgriLife Marketing & Communications

Location: Ross

Does your local school district have a SHAC (School Health Advisory Council)? Have you been asked to serve on a SHAC or thought about attending a SHAC meeting? Are you unsure of its purpose, mandates, and how your work in Extension would fit into schools and their SHAC? If so, attend this interactive session to learn more about the benefits of a SHAC and how the work you are doing in your county can extend to youth, school staff, and parents in creative ways. Plus, come hear from a panel of agents who will share their SHAC experiences and hopefully motivate involvement with your local SHACs and/or help spark some new ideas for you!

Alice Kirk
Extension Program Specialist III

Michelle Smith
Senior Field Manager, National Action for Healthy Kids

Micah Holcombe
Milam County FCH Agent

Gayle Bludau
Gonzales County FCH Agent

Tami Putnam
East Region BLT Project Specialist

Location: Reveille

The Dinner Tonight Healthy Cooking School – Emergency Preparedness is the newest Cooking School under Dinner Tonight. This healthy cooking school focuses on recipes that can be prepared without electricity, establishing partnerships with emergency management or law enforcement officials, and preparing your community what they need for their families during an emergency or evacuation. In this session, participants will learn how this program was implemented in Hidalgo County and learn best practices for implementing this program in their home county.

Dr. Andrea Valdez
Hidalgo County Extension Agent – FCH

Odessa Keenan
Extension Program Specialist I

Location: Hullabaloo

An estimated one in seven people are 65 years of age or older. By 2040, 1 in 5 individuals will be 65 or older. As we age, common health conditions such as joint pain, loss of muscle mass, and increased risk of chronic diseases appear. One of those diseases is Alzheimer’s/Dementia which is responsible for 1 out of 7 deaths in Texas. This chronic health condition is more than just forgetfulness – it has been linked to diet and other health behaviors. Join Jenna Anding and Andy Crocker and learn the risk factors for Alzheimer’s/Dementia and what you and the people you serve can do to risk the risk for this chronic disease. Attendees will receive an education program that they can take back to their community.

Dr. Jenna Anding
Professor & Extension Nutrition Specialist

Andy Crocker
Senior Extension Program Specialist – Gerontology and Health

Location: Oak

Community assessments allow for an initial look into a community, but only offer a passing glance. Combining this data with community engagement provides a more detailed view that enhances partnerships and creates programmatic sustainability. This session will provide you with community assessment tools, real-world examples of community engagement and partnership, programmatic efforts built from community assessment and engagement data, and provide insight into creating sustainability through recruitment of volunteers and coalition members.

Dr. Megan McClendon
Project Specialist II

Katelyn Murphy
Project Specialist II

Location: Corp

The Interactive trail project is a fun way to incorporate nature education, meditation and physical activity to a park or trail with in your county. The project can be incorporated with Walk Across Texas youth or adult.

Laura Graves
Lamar County Extension Agent – FCH

Meko Carder
Red River County Extension Agent – FCH

Brian Triplett
Bowie County Extension Agent – Ag/NR

Jessica Humphrey
Red River County Extension Agent – Ag/NR

Location: Laurel

It’s week 5 of your Walk Across Texas adult program and you notice no one is entering their mileage and the mileage that is entered is sparse. How do you keep the participants motivated when you are not present? This program showcase session will equip attendees with resourceful ideas to ensure their next Walk Across Texas program is a success from start to finish. This session will also offer ideas on acquiring program sponsorship, how to create and utilize innovative incentives as well as ways to capitalize on communication opportunities while partnering with schools.

Mary Shockley
Hunt County Extension Agent – FCH

Location: Laurel

WAT! Ag Commodities Map program focuses on identified raised and grown livestock, plants, fruits, and vegetables throughout the state of Texas. WAT! AG. Commodities Map program uses experiential learning to teach the importance of agricultural commodities, healthy eating, and active play. This program targets the behaviors that research shows to be most important for preventing childhood obesity and chronic disease. Topics include: animal protein, plant protein, fruits and vegetables. This program was written using the “4 A” dialogue approach for more effective retention and application of information and skills. Each lesson includes “A Station at a Glance” 1 pager that is divided in the “4A’s”. The Anchor (Fun Facts), that connects with the students experience or interests, some new information to Add (Health Facts), a chance to Apply (Experiential Learning Activities) this new information interactively, and an Away (Let’s Move), a goal setting challenge for the student to use the new information in their daily lives. Each lesson also includes an interactive activity, health information, commodity fun facts and a physical activity to do with the student, student’s family, or the educator to do with the class. The following additional resources are included for the agent/educator to use with the WAT! Ag. Commodities Map lessons: classroom physical activities, map road trips and various educational methods for program implementation. In addition, each participant will be provided with the curriculum and a poster-size WAT! Ag. Commodities Map.

Luisa Colin
Special Initiatives Coordinator – Healthy Texas

Erica Reyes
Extension Program Specialist – Healthy Texas

Angie Sifuentes
Webb County Extension Agent – FCH

Location: Laurel

In this session, participants will learn how to become a Canva expert! The session will cover seven elements of design, how to take and choose photos for design, and building an audience with Canva. This session is designed for new, intermediate and advanced Canva users.

Rudy Ruedas
Brand Outreach Specialist
Texas A&M AgriLife Marketing & Communications

Location: Ross

An estimated one in seven people are 65 years of age or older. By 2040, 1 in 5 individuals will be 65 or older. As we age, common health conditions such as joint pain, loss of muscle mass, and increased risk of chronic diseases appear. One of those diseases is Alzheimer’s/Dementia which is responsible for 1 out of 7 deaths in Texas. This chronic health condition is more than just forgetfulness – it has been linked to diet and other health behaviors. Join Jenna Anding and Andy Crocker and learn the risk factors for Alzheimer’s/Dementia and what you and the people you serve can do to risk the risk for this chronic disease. Attendees will receive an education program that they can take back to their community.

Dr. Jenna Anding
Professor & Extension Nutrition Specialist

Andy Crocker
Senior Extension Program Specialist – Gerontology and Health

Location: Hullabaloo

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for 15-18-year-olds in the United States. In Texas in 2021, there were 147 fatalities involving teen drivers between the ages of 15 and 19 years, and a total of 495 fatalities involving total teen drivers between the ages of 15 and 25 years. The Reality Education for Drivers, or RED, Program’s primary goal is to reverse these alarming trends by steering young drivers toward safer driving habits – to drive sober, safely, securely and within the speed limits. The RED spotlight shines on the five highest traffic-related risks factors, impaired, drowsy and distracted driving, speeding and seatbelt misuse, with added highlights from current information, First Responders and Emergency Trauma Professionals as guest speakers, educational resources, interactive discussions, and Impactful videos that deliver the realities of actual traffic crashes involving fatalities and/or serious injuries that all changed lives forever. RED Project Specialist Mary Jo Prince will also provide details on how the RED Team can deliver AT NO CHARGE and conduct in-person this impactful program statewide across the AgriLife Extension’s network of educators, agents, 4-H leaders, and other community stakeholders – to save young lives and the lives of those they care about most.

Mary Jo Prince
Project Specialist II

Location: Corps

While gatekeeper trainings are suicide prevention programs, this session is designed to provide a brief opportunity to learn how to engage in empathy, communication skills, and gain self-awareness, when communicating with people experiencing any type of mental health concern. The Saving Lives by Communicating Proactively session is based upon the belief that anyone can work in partnership with individuals in crisis, deepen their ability to be ready to respond empathically by learning to identify, understand, and relate to the emotional experience of a person in crisis.  Lastly, in this session participants will learn more effective communication skills that can encourage an active empowered support approach as opposed to a disconnected passive encounter when someone may be struggling.  Please note that this session contains topics surrounding suicide prevention, the experiences of suicide survivors, and emotional experiences.

Santana Simple, Ph.D., LPC, NCC
Assistant Director – Suicide Prevention
Texas A&M University Counseling & Psychological Services

Location: Reveille

Healthy School Recognized Campus (HSRC) is a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension initiative that supports the delivery of school-based physical activity, nutrition, and other health promotion programs that reduce cardiovascular and other chronic diseases for communities across Texas. The purposes of this session are to: (1) provide an overview and description of the Healthy School Recognized Campus initiative (5-10 minutes); (2) conduct a question-and-answer panel with Extension agents who have successfully used the initiative to understand its benefits (20-30 minutes); (3) present an overview of the new Healthy School Recognized Campus website (10-15 minutes); and (4) share student health data that has been collected as part of research on the HSRC initiative (10 minutes). Through the HSRC initiative, we hope to see an improvement in students’ metabolic health and a positive change in their physical activity and eating behaviors. We also hope to develop additional support strategies, such as resources to build a school health coalition and/or mentoring program, which can continue to support Extension agents that use the HSRC initiative. Long-term, we hope that HSRC can be implemented statewide to continue to improve students’, caregivers’, and school staff’s health by consistently engaging them in evidence-based Extension programs.

Dr. Jacob Szeszulski
Assistant Professor
AgriLife Institute for Advancing Health through Agriculture

Lucy Xin
Research Associate

Paula Butler
Regional Program Leader – FCH/4HYD

Dr. Julie Gardner
Extension Program Specialist II – Youth Healthy Lifestyles

Location: Oak

Join this session to learn about the impact of the power of choice when giving leaders and participants the opportunity to create their program with the topics of their interest and number of sessions.

Sonia Coyle
Travis County Extension Agent – FCH

Lucy Xin
Research Associate

Paula Butler
Regional Program Leader – FCH/4HYD

Dr. Julie Gardner
Extension Program Specialist II – Youth Healthy Lifestyles

Location: Laurel

In this session, participants will learn how to adapt Better Living for Texans programs for Intellectually or Developmentally Disabled (IDD) youth and adult audiences. Program highlights will include adapting activities, games, physical activity, recipe demonstrations, and gardening. Heather Simpson will answer questions about program specifics for Fresh Start to a Healthier You, Walk N’ Talk, and Learn, Grow, Eat and Go! programs and IDD audiences.

Heather Simpson
Better Living for Texans Agent – Wichita County

Lucy Xin
Research Associate

Paula Butler
Regional Program Leader – FCH/4HYD

Dr. Julie Gardner
Extension Program Specialist II – Youth Healthy Lifestyles

Location: Laurel

An estimated 28% of adults in Texas have a disability (U.S. Census, 2019) with more than half living in just 10 counties (TWIC, 2019). Texans with disabilities have an increased risk for comorbid conditions including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and depression (CDC, 2022). Extension health programs have a unique opportunity to address health concerns and disparities in both rural and urban settings while promoting chronic disease prevention for Texans with disabilities and their support. This interactive session will discuss existing Extension health programs and opportunities to recruit and engage Texans with disabilities, providing education and activities to help address chronic health conditions.

Andy Crocker
Senior Extension Program Specialist – Gerontology and Health

Morgan Bradley
Program Manager – Community Outreach Coordinator

Location: Laurel

Emerging adults (18-24 yrs) in the US are often transitioning from a home environment with several supports to an independent living situation. Some emerging adults are continuing with their education and living in or around a university campus. Others have entered the work environment. Research shows the diet quality and food security levels of emerging adults are relatively low. In this session you will learn about the diet quality and food security experienced by emerging adults. You will also learn about the programs and resources available to assist this population. As well as ideas for engaging with your local community to help improve the diet quality and food security of emerging adults.

Dr. Beth Racine
AgriLife Research El Paso Center Director
Extension Associate Department Head for Nutrition

Location: Ross

The purpose of this session is to showcase the many collaborations between Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and Texas 4-H Youth Development and the Texas A&M AgriLife Institute for Advancing Health through Agriculture (IHA) Healthy Living Program. The Healthy Living Program researches the development, evaluation, and dissemination of community-engaged health promotion and chronic disease prevention intervention programs and seeks to advance health equity for underserved populations. AgriLife Extension and Texas 4-H Youth Development staff and agents play an essential role in curriculum refinement, building partnerships with local communities (e.g., leading recruitment efforts), delivering education, and informing implementation strategies. Many examples of these contributions and future opportunities within Healthy Living Program’s research projects will be highlighted during this session. Additionally, presenters will outline the benefits of engaging with research team member for both AgriLife Extension and for the advancement of health promotion and chronic-disease prevention programs and brainstorm ideas for future collaborations.

Dr. Lexi MacMillian Uribe
Assistant Professor
AgriLife Institute for Advancing Health through Agriculture

Dr. Jacob Szeszulski
Assistant Professor
AgriLife Institute for Advancing Health through Agriculture

Ashlee Gardner
Research Specialist I
AgriLife Institute for Advancing Health through Agriculture

Dr. Julie Gardner
Extension Program Specialist II – Youth Healthy Lifestyles

Location: Reveille

Mindful SELF is a mindfulness program for youth in grades 6-8 that focuses on social and emotional learning. Mindfulness is the cultivation of non-judgmental awareness of the present moment. Practicing mindfulness can help individuals of all ages manage stress and live life more fully. Social and emotional development have been shown to improve youth mental health, feelings of connectedness, classroom engagement, youth problem behaviors, and academic achievement. Mindful SELF integrates mindfulness with social and emotional learning concepts from the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) framework. The CASEL framework encompasses five key dimensions: Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Responsible Decision Making, Relationship Skills, and Social Awareness. Mindful SELF is a research-based and theory-driven program designed to build healthy and resilient youth. This session will serve as a workshop for agents and specialists interested in implementing the Mindful SELF program. Curriculum authors will demonstrate core program activities, including the Wellness Wheel Assessment, the Secret Letter, Sponge Out, and Boundary Jeopardy. In addition to demonstrating activities, Smith, Hazzard, and Wright will provide tips for tailoring lessons for different age groups, environments, and group sizes. By participating in this session, agents and specialists will gain program application skills and confidence to teach the program successfully.

Miquela Smith
Extension Program Specialist II – Health

Wendy Hatfield-Hazzard
Wheeler County Extension Agent – FCH

Bailee Wright
Extension Program Specialist I – 4-H Youth Development

Location: Hullabaloo

Mindful SELF is a mindfulness program for youth in grades 6-8 that focuses on social and emotional learning. Mindfulness is the cultivation of non-judgmental awareness of the present moment. Practicing mindfulness can help individuals of all ages manage stress and live life more fully. Social and emotional development have been shown to improve youth mental health, feelings of connectedness, classroom engagement, youth problem behaviors, and academic achievement. Mindful SELF integrates mindfulness with social and emotional learning concepts from the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) framework. The CASEL framework encompasses five key dimensions: Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Responsible Decision Making, Relationship Skills, and Social Awareness. Mindful SELF is a research-based and theory-driven program designed to build healthy and resilient youth. This session will serve as a workshop for agents and specialists interested in implementing the Mindful SELF program. Curriculum authors will demonstrate core program activities, including the Wellness Wheel Assessment, the Secret Letter, Sponge Out, and Boundary Jeopardy. In addition to demonstrating activities, Smith, Hazzard, and Wright will provide tips for tailoring lessons for different age groups, environments, and group sizes. By participating in this session, agents and specialists will gain program application skills and confidence to teach the program successfully.

Miquela Smith
Extension Program Specialist II – Health

Wendy Hatfield-Hazzard
Wheeler County Extension Agent – FCH

Bailee Wright
Extension Program Specialist I – 4-H Youth Development

Location: Hullabaloo

Join us as we share details of new Wild Game Programming! This showcase will feature new programming surrounding Wild Game in Texas focused on safe handling and preparation practices.

Odessa Keenan
Extension Program Specialist I

Rebecca Dittmar
Extension Program Specialist II

Location: Oak

Food safety continues to be a common area of confusion for many people. This short session will review food safety resources currently available as well as new ones to come. In Texas, retail food establishments are required to have Certified Food managers on site during operating hours. It is also required that every food employee have an accredited Food Handlers card. A short introduction to the Certified Food Managers as well as Food Handlers fee based programs will be covered as well.

Rebecca Dittmar
Extension Program Specialist II

Julie Prouse
Extension Associate

Location: Oak

• Better Living for Texans
• Community Conversations on Health Workshop 
• Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program
• StrongPeople Strong Bodies Leader Training 

Some post-conference workshops may require advanced registration and/or fees. Please refer to the Post-Conference Workshop details for more information.