Tag Archives: suzanne pish

by | March 7, 2013 · 11:44 am

Learn to RELAX with MSU Extension anger and stress management curriculum

A Michigan State University Extension curriculum has been updated and is getting new attention, thanks to eXtension and other online learning options. “RELAX: Alternatives to Anger,” an educational series for those who want to manage their anger and stress both at home and at work, was recently updated by MSUE educators Suzanne Pish and Holly Tiret.

Since it was released on eXtension in December, ten individuals have taken part in an online offering of this program. In addition, nearly 70 copies of the curriculum CD have been sold through the MSU Extension Bookstore. Staff members can also order workbooks to use when offering the program, and incentives like stress balls and promotional magnets.

Suzanne and Holly worked with ANR Communications technical writer Katie Gervasi to produce the curriculum. Others in ANR Communications were involved in designing templates and getting the RELAX items into the MSU Extension Bookstore. The team wanted to extend the availability of the curriculum so they decided to also offer the online option through eXtension. Anyone can take the course. The cost is $20.

Closer to home, Suzanne will collaborate with the MSU Extension Staff Wellness Committee to offer RELAX for MSU Extension campus staff March 26. Register here.

“We would like to have MSU Extension staff to help advertise the online course to potential participants,” Suzanne said, “Just a week ago, a participant from Wisconsin called to say how much she enjoyed the course.”

Holly said, “I also got an email from an MSU student looking for an anger management class for himself. I emailed him and gave him instructions on the online course. We are even reaching students at MSU!”

To get to the online course, go to http://msue.anr.msu.edu/resources/relax_alternatives_to_anger_online_program.

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by | February 21, 2013 · 9:31 am

Extension program leaders create resource to address bullying in out-of-school settings

It’s evident when you listen to news reports, scan social media or just talk to folks – issues related to bullying, bias and harassment concern parents, educators, family workers and others who work with and care about young people. And, of course, these issues concern young people as well.

Schools have resources to address these issues, but few address bullying issues in out-of-school settings. As always in Michigan State University Extension, our staff members see a need and work to meet it. That’s why MSU Extension Health and Nutrition program leaders for social and emotional health Janet Olsen and Karen Pace created Be SAFE: Safe, Affirming and Fair Environments.

BeSafe-Cover-BookstoreThumb

The two targeted the curriculum for use in out-of-school settings such as 4-H clubs, Boys and Girls Clubs, scouts and after-school programs. Be SAFE helps young people aged 11 to 14 partner with adults to create physically and emotionally safe environments.

The overall goals of Be SAFE include promoting social and emotional learning and development, addressing and reducing bullying, preventing bullying behaviors by tapping the wisdom and assets of youth and adults, and developing positive relationships with peers and adults.

Research shows that young people benefit from time spent in positive and safe settings with adults and peers. Adults can use Be SAFE as an important tool to help young people to create those safe, affirming and fair environments. The resource helps adults to help young people be resilient when facing challenging situations such as bullying, bias and harassment.

As true of all MSU Extension curricula, this publication draws from extensive research, and Karen and Janet also drew from evidence-based bullying prevention programs. A number of their MSU Extension colleagues also contributed to the development of Be SAFE by serving as reviewers and as liaisons to the nine sites across the state that piloted the material. These included staff members from the Health and Nutrition Institute (Tracie Abram, Denise Aungst, Carolyn Penniman, Suzanne Pish, Erin Ross, Olga Santiago and Holly Tiret), the Children and Youth Institute (Kendra Moyses and Jodi Schulz), and the Organizational Development Team (Dionardo Pizaña). Former Children and Youth Institute staff members Andrea Caron, Sandra Griffin and Julie Scislowicz were also involved with these efforts.

Janet and Karen are currently working to assist MSU Extension staff members in providing education around issues of bullying, bias and harassment. It’s not too late to register for a June 4 train-the-trainer opportunity in Gaylord. You’ll receive a copy of Be SAFE and learn how to incorporate the curriculum into your program. You’ll also explore current research on bullying and learn key strategies to address bullying issues. Click on this link to learn more and to register.

Download a free PDF of the Introduction section of Be SAFE or order a copy of the 224-page guide, designed and edited by ANR Communications, at the MSU Extension Bookstore.

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by | October 4, 2012 · 8:40 am

Extension staff members win NEAFCS awards, present at conference

Michigan State University Extension staff members won several awards at the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (NEAFCS) national conference in Columbus, Ohio, Sept 27. The Michigan Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (MEAFCS) will recognize the educators at the membership meeting at Fall Extension Conference.

The Health and Nutrition Institute Food Safety Team was first place national winner and first place Central Region winner for Food Safety. The award recognizes outstanding educational programs conducted for families, school nutrition workers, food industry employees or managers, church workers preparing meals, home care providers, and other groups or individuals preparing or serving food.

The MSU Extension Food Safety Team received first place national winner award and first place Central Region winner for Food Safety at the NEAFCS national conference

The MSU Extension Food Safety Team received first place national winner award and first place Central Region winner for Food Safety at the NEAFCS national conference Sept. 27, 2012, in Columbus, Ohio. Pictured left to right: Associate Dean of UNL Extension Kathleen Lodl, MSU Extension staff members Eileen Haraminac, Lisa Treiber, Joyce McGarry, Beth Waitrovich and Jeannie Nichols and NEAFCS President Amy Peterson [not present Christine Venema, Pat Joyce (retired), Jan Seitz (retired)].

 Evaluated on program objectives, program accomplishments, program impact and support materials, the team received a score of 98 out of a possible 100.

Jeannie Nichols led the team that includes Eileen Haraminac, Pat Joyce (retired), Joyce McGarry, Janet Rathke, Jan Seitz (retired), Lisa Treiber, Chris Venema and Beth Waitrovich.

The team applied for and received a Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development grant allowing them to provide statewide programming in 2011. They taught face-to-face workshops around the state and developed an online training at msue.anr.msu.edu/programs/cottage_food_law.

The workshops and online training taught Michigan residents about the new 2012 Cottage Food Law and the importance of food safety practices when preparing and selling cottage foods in Michigan.

Teresa Clark-Jones led the Financial and Home Ownership Education Team, made up of mostly Greening Michigan Institute members, that took third place in the Central Region for Communications – Internet Education Technology. The award recognizes excellence in Web-based programs or Web pages.

In addition to Teresa, team members include Connie Costner Borg, Dr. Lisa Cook, Kathy Hale, Jean Lakin, Wanda Repke and Erica Tobe.

The team created www.mimoneyhealth.org with education information related to financial literacy for the public to access. On the website, consumers can take the Financial Health Survey, in which each survey participant determines his or her financial health index score and receives resources to help increase the score.

Extension educator Carolyn Penniman won a Distinguished Service Award. The Distinguished Service Award is the highest award presented by the NEAFCS. The award recognizes members for leadership, outstanding program efforts and personal and professional development.

Carolyn has been part of MSU Extension for more than 14 years, providing education in parenting education, food safety, training for foster and adoptive parents, and financial literacy. She’s participated in international Extension training and led the Poverty Reduction Initiative for Charlevoix and Emmet counties. She used a United Way grant to provide two poverty simulation workshops and develop a Money Mentor program.

Besides winning awards, MSU Extension staff members were busy presenting sessions at the conference, lending their expertise to their colleagues. Health and Nutrition Institute Extension educator Suzanne Pishpresented a session at the conference from RELAX: Alternatives to Anger, an anger management program for young people, parents and caregivers.

MSU Extension staff members presented on the Cottage Food Law at the NEAFCS national conference

MSU Extension staff members presented on the Cottage Food Law at the NEAFCS national conference Sept. 27, 2012, in Columbus, Ohio. Pictured left to right: MSU Extension staff members Joyce McGarry, Rita Klavinski, Lisa Treiber, Jeannie Nichols and Beth Waitrovich. Photo credit: Eileen Haraminac.

In addition, Extension educators Joyce McGarry, Jeannie Nichols, Lisa Treiber and Beth Waitrovich of the Food Safety Team presented a session on the Cottage Food Law. Extension educator Rita Klavinski provided technology support at the conference.

Congratulations and thanks to all of our award winners and session presenters!

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by | July 26, 2012 · 9:03 am

Extension educators quickly respond to emotional health issues brought on by drought

Part of Michigan State University Extension’s mission is to quickly respond to emerging issues affecting Michigan residents. The recent drought has certainly given us the opportunity to do so, and we had a great report from Marilyn Thelen, AABI Extension educator, on our July 16 webinar to describe how the work groups in the Agriculture and Agribusiness Institute have responded.

We also heard Suzanne Pish, Extension educator in the Health and Nutrition Institute, describe how she recognized that severe weather was causing stress in growers dealing with the loss of the cherry crop. The recent drought is similarly affecting farmers and Suzanne is feeling its effects personally. Her Dad is a dairy farmer in southern Michigan where the drought is hitting hard. In addition, Suzanne and her husband raise goats and hay. The drought took one-tenth of their hay crop. She felt both the financial and emotional toll the drought was taking and could relate to the feelings of her dad, the cherry growers and other farmers in the state. Suzanne connected her experience with the effects of stress with her expertise as a social-emotional educator to write an article for our MSU Extension News “Farm-related Depression: Signs and Symptoms.”

A farm blog picked up the story. Fred Peralta, producer/director of WEIU-TV in Charleston, Ill., read Suzanne’s story and invited her for a web-video chat interview on his local agricultural program “Four Rivers Ag Report.” The interview aired July 20. You can watch it here:

This is a great example of how Extension educators and specialists get information out quickly to the MSU Extension News website and that information expands out in many directions. It’s also a great example of taking a core set of program priorities and recognizing how those might apply to audiences that aren’t regularly served by a particular work group. AABI colleagues immediately realized the need to provide technical expertise to groups they routinely serve. Suzanne and other colleagues on the Social-Emotional Health work group saw a need with that same audience, even though they mostly focus on youth and young adults with their programs.

Extension educator Karen Pace contributed to the subject as well with an article for MSU Extension News on the emotional toll severe weather can place on farmers and their families.

Extension educator Holly Tiret and members of the Health and Nutrition Institute are also putting together a workshop dealing with stress, anger management, and financial and credit issues. It will be ready soon to present all over the state.

I’m proud of how quickly our groups have responded to this issue not only in the usual ways but stretching beyond their focal audience.

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by | July 28, 2011 · 3:32 pm

FRIENDS Day Camp promotes 4-H, health, nutrition – and friends

Despite a tornado warning that sent kids, youth counselors and adults to the basement of the Branch County Fair Office the first day, the FRIENDS Day Camp was a success.

According to Suzanne Pish, Michigan State University Extension educator, FRIENDS Day Camp is a great collaboration among partners in the community and among the different staff members within the MSU Extension Branch County Office. This health, nutrition and “4-H awareness” camp is sponsored by the Health and Nutrition Institute and Children and Youth Institute in cooperation with the Branch County 4-H Foundation, Branch County Dairy Producers, Community Health Center of Branch County Physical Therapy, Branch County Michigan Works! WIA Youth Program and the Branch County Fair Board with help from a Branch County Community Foundation–Youth Advisory Council (YAC) grant. It took the cooperation of all of these organizations to host 58 children aged 7 to 11, who are living in limited-income situations, for this weeklong event at the Branch County Fairgrounds July 11–15.

This year’s theme, “Color Me Healthy,” focused on eating fruits and vegetables. The kids took part in a wide range of activities. Val Albright, MSUE Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program–Education (SNAP-ED) program associate, held “In the Kitchen” sessions that included a lesson on fruits and vegetables. Sarah Johnson, MSUE SNAP-ED program associate, led a session each day using OrganWise Guys, an interactive science-based curriculum. Connie Lange, Extension 4-H educator, led the children in craft activities that make the kids aware of 4‑H and the kinds of opportunities 4-H offers. Suzanne presented a session on friendships that encourages social-emotional health. In fact, FRIENDS Day Camp is spelled with all caps to emphasize that the camp is about meeting and making new friends.

Several adult volunteers led other sessions throughout the week and 20 youth volunteers acted as camp counselors. One of the volunteer-led sessions focused on teaching the kids about agriculture, learning where the food they eat actually comes from. Campers got physically active through the Jump Into Foods and Fitness curriculum.

The kids enjoyed the final day at camp by taking a field trip to Sugar Bush Farms in Allen, which is a farmers market as well as a working farm. State Senator Bruce Caswell and Branch County administrator Bud Norman joined the group for a picnic lunch.

Read more here: http://www.thedailyreporter.com/features/x1256647815/MSU-holds-Friends-Camp

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by | July 1, 2010 · 2:12 pm

MSUE work is truly lifesaving

We don’t always get to see the rewards of the work that we do here at Michigan State University Extension, but Suzanne Pish was rewarded with knowing that the work that she does is saving lives! Suzanne, Family and Consumer Science Extension educator based in Branch County, teaches Great Start Orientation (GSO) classes in six Michigan counties for people who provide care to relatives. The classes include instruction in CPR. Glenn Cobb will be forever grateful that he was a participant in Suzanne’s Calhoun County GSO class on May 27 in Battle Creek. Because of Suzanne’s CPR instruction, Glenn knew just what to do when two weeks later his mother’s heart stopped beating. Glenn’s 82-year-old mother is grateful, too. She now has a pacemaker and feels terrific. Wonderful work, Suzanne!

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