Home Economics & ICAN (Ideas for Cooking and Nutrition)
Chaves county's Extension home economics program helps strengthen family life. In a rapidly changing world, the challenges facing individuals and families in our county are great. With a problem solving philosophy, we strive to develop programs to deal with complex issues facing local families. We are helping people build leadership and other skills. We teach through group training sessions and local programs and community projects. We are dedicated to solving community needs, concerns and issues.
Consumer Education
Due to the high percentage of low-income families in the Chaves County area, consumer education programs are vital. Approximately 80% of the TANF recipients identified in the county as being work eligible and targeted to transition into the work force and off of welfare are women. All of these women, many of them of a very young age, have one or more dependent children to provide for. Assistance and education is needed in finance, clothing, housing, food purchases, childcare, health care, and management.
Volunteer & Leadership Development
The complex issues facing Chaves County communities today require citizen participation in identifying and solving problems. Changes in government and public policy are putting more and more responsibility on community leaders and families to resolve community problems. Many family members and community leaders are not equipped to deal with these problems. Volunteers are being asked to take on many of roles. There are numerous situations and activities arising that are to be organized and operated by volunteers. Chaves County is very responsive and the need for organizational assistance is great.
Foodstamp Nutrition Education Program
New Mexico has the highest rate of poverty in the nation. Approximately 25% of New Mexicans live below the poverty level. Chaves County has one of the highest rates of poverty in the state. With a population of approximately 63,001 almost one third of the counties population is at or below the poverty level. The greatest percentage of these are Hispanic, with a very high incidence of diabetes. Of the TANF recipients identified to transition off the welfare rolls and in to the workforce, 80% are single women with one or more dependent children. Many have a very low educational level and do not qualify for more than minimum wage jobs. The county has one of the highest teen pregnancy rates in the state. Two of the rural school systems serve 100% of their school population free or reduced breakfast and lunch. Approximately 200 school-aged children have been identified as migrant.