Youth Development

Authors: Troy Anthony Anderson - Michael Elonge

This fact sheet examines the relationship between housing needs and the family life cycle, highlighting housing as a critical factor in family well-being and social stability. As families move through life stages - from childbearing years to retirement - their housing needs evolve, requiring flexible and affordable living options. Rising housing costs, inflation, and income inequality create significant financial barriers for many households, making it increasingly difficult to secure stable housing. Challenges such as saving for down payments, navigating mortgage rates, and managing property taxes further complicate the path to homeownership. The article also discusses homelessness in Maryland, noting that a shortage of affordable housing contributes significantly to the issue. Strategies for families include financial planning, utilizing housing assistance programs, and exploring alternative housing arrangements. Ultimately, the authors call for a comprehensive, multi-sector approach that combines program support, financial education, and community resources to ensure families have access to safe, stable, and affordable housing. Authors: Troy Anthony Anderson & Michael Elonge; Title: The Financial Implications of Housing Needs on the Family Life Cycle (FS-2025-0776).

Authors: Navonne Owen

Anxiety in certain situations is normal. This is true with public speaking. Incorporating these 10 simple techniques into the preparation and presentation of your speech can make you a more confident speaker. Author: Navonne Owen; Title: Ten Ways to Increase Your Public Speaking Confidence (FS-2024-0713).

Authors: Nancy Lewis - Crystal Terhune - Pamela R. Turner - Sharon S.M.S. Gibson - Diane Bales

We often think of poisoning as something that happens to small children, but it’s also easy for adults to mix up medications or mistake one product for another. Poison look-alikes are potentially harmful substances that can easily be mistaken for safe ones, usually because they look the same or have very similar packaging. Often, they are things that we use every day for cleaning, self-care, or first aid, but if they are used incorrectly or mistaken for something else, they can harm us.