Family and Community Health Sciences

Mission  

The Department of Family and Community Health Sciences (FCHS) promotes healthy lifestyles and environments for NJ residents and communities, emphasizing nutrition, health, and wellness.  

FCHS faculty and staff work in your neighborhood to promote healthy families and communities. Through leadership, collaborative efforts, research, and science-based education, we foster a culture of health and wellness for New Jersey residents of all ages. 

Initiatives and Programs  

Community Workshops 
We host classes and workshops for various community groups. To host an FCHS event, please complete a request form, https://forms.office.com/r/7JFqfvaa1s.  

Workshop Offerings Include: 

• 8 Dimensions of Wellness 

• Nutrition Basics (MyPlate, Benefits of Fruit and Vegetables, Understanding Portion Sizes)  

• Stress and Its Impact on Health  

• Understanding Eating Disorders 

• Tips for Healthy Aging 

• and more… 

Wellness Wednesday with FCHS  
Join us on Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m. to learn from Department of Family & Community Health Sciences experts. All sessions are free, last approximately 45 minutes, and are provided via Zoom.  
For topics and to register: https://njaes.rutgers.edu/wellness-wednesdays/ 

S.I.S.T.E.R (Sisters Inspiring Strength, Transformation, and Empowerment through Reading) Collective (Virtual Book Club – Coming Spring 2025)  

NJ Empower to Prevent (NJEP) for Essex County (New cohort starting July 2025) 
National Diabetes Prevention Program from the CDC 
NJEP is a year-long, distance-learning lifestyle change program facilitated by trained Lifestyle Coaches. 
https://njaes.rutgers.edu/fchs/nj-empower-to-prevent.php  

Active Research and Grants  

Dismantling the “Kids’ Food” Archetype 

Food Access in Newark Hope Village  

School Meals and SNAP Dual Enrollment Project  

Resources

Department of Family and Community Health Sciences  

FCHS Visions Newsletter 
Visions newsletter is a peer-reviewed FCHS publication for consumers. It features articles on nutrition, physical activity, health, food safety, and more.  

FCHS Fact Sheets  

The FCHS Family Foodie YouTube Channel   

Essex County Office of Public Health Management 

Food and Health Equity Coalition of Essex County