Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Program

The Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Program works to ensure that all Maryland residents are healthy and economically successful at every stage of life.

We support youth and families through education, research, and community outreach. Our work focuses on helping individuals prevent and manage chronic diseases, make healthy food and physical activity choices, and practice safe food handling.

The program also provides personal finance education and resources that help residents build financial capability and resilience. Together, these efforts support safe and healthy places to live, work, play, and learn.

Program Interest Form

If you are interested in any of the nutrition programs listed below, please complete the Program Interest Form

Nutrition Programs

Dining with Diabetes
Dining with Diabetes is an evidence‑based national program for adults with type 2 diabetes, pre‑diabetes, and their families. The program teaches participants how to identify and understand key information for managing or preventing diabetes.
Participants (18 years and older) will learn about:
- Menu planning
- Carbohydrate counting
- Portion control
- Reading food labels
- Healthy fats
- The role of fiber in diabetes management
The program includes four weekly 2‑hour sessions plus a three‑month follow‑up class.
Dining with Diabetes complements—but does not replace—other diabetes education or medical management programs. Individual meal plans or personalized dietary guidance are not provided.
DASH‑Plus (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension + Physical Activity)
DASH‑Plus is a high‑blood‑pressure management program created by the University of Maryland Extension.
Participants (50 years and older) will learn about:
- What hypertension is
- How to monitor blood pressure
- The DASH diet (sodium, fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, dairy, fats, sweets, shopping tips)
- Physical activity demonstrations
The program includes five weekly 90‑minute sessions.
Capture the Flavor: Herbs & Spices
Participants will learn how to:
- Use herbs and spices to create international flavors
- Store herbs and spices properly
- Recognize potential food‑safety concerns
- Understand the health benefits of cooking with herbs and spices
This program is a single 90‑minute session.

USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline

The toll free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline is available for questions about meat, poultry, or egg products year-round Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

This service is available in English and Spanish. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854).

Questions can be emailed to MPHotline.fsis@usda.gov

Financial Wellness Programs

Power Up! for Fiscal Fitness for Educators

The University of Maryland Extension’s Your Money, Your Goals program provides financial tools and resources for social workers, human service providers, and community volunteers. Training is included to help professionals use these tools to support others in achieving financial wellness.
Your Money, Your Goals

This program offers a set of financial‑empowerment materials designed for organizations that support individuals in meeting their financial goals. The materials focus on building knowledge, skills, and access to financial resources.
Master Money Mentors
Master Money Mentor volunteers work one‑on‑one with individuals to help them set financial goals and improve basic money‑management skills. Volunteers may also provide group financial‑education classes and participate in community outreach events.
The University of Maryland Extension Master Money Mentor Volunteer Training Program is designed for individuals who want to strengthen their own financial skills and help others build strong financial foundations.
Personal Finance Programs
Programs are available for all family members, including tweens, teens, college‑bound young adults, and adults.
Participants will learn how to:
- Manage budgets
- Set financial goals
- Manage debt
- Plan for college
- Prepare for retirement
Eviction Prevention Education

This program provides financial‑management classes to tenants. Participants learn budgeting skills that support paying rent on time, reducing unnecessary expenses, and increasing savings.
A second component provides professional‑development seminars for frontline staff in rental housing and human‑services agencies. Staff are encouraged to become mentors to tenants who need financial‑management support.