Family and Community Health

OSU Extension and Engagement

Building a culture of health

Land grant institutions and public health share a common mission: Putting knowledge to work in the communities they serve.

Housed on campus and in communities across the state, CPHHS faculty funded by OSU Extension Family and Community Health deliver a variety of proactive health programming and create shared solutions to our greatest challenges to health.

To learn more about the history and responsibility of land grant institutions and the connection between Extension and public health practice, watch “Harnessing the land grant legacy to promote lifelong health and well-being.”

Family and Community Health programs

Better Bones and Balance

Falls are the leading cause of injury for older Americans. The Better Bones and Balance program helps individuals increase strength and balance to prevent falls.

Coast to Forest: Mental Health Promotion

Coast to Forest is a community-driven program that increases knowledge and awareness about mental health, substance abuse and available resources.

GROW Healthy Kids and Communities

GROW Healthy Kids and Communities is a five-year, multi-level research project that seeks to inspire children, families, schools and communities to create opportunities to eat healthy and be physically active most every day.

Healthy Communities Outreach Project

The Healthy Communities Outreach Project focuses on ways to improve the lifelong health of Oregonians where they live, work, learn and play that stimulates innovation and collaboration.

 Oregon Nutrition Education and Outreach Programs

The Oregon Nutrition Education and Outreach Programs are a part of the Extension Family and Community Health Program.  These programs engage with communities across Oregon to provide nutrition education to thousands of limited income youth, families, and adults.

Oregon Parenting Education Collaborative

The Oregon Parenting Education Collaborative supports the delivery of high-quality parenting education programs, as well as collaborative efforts to strengthen regional parenting education systems.

Parenting Education Programs

Parenting Education Programs for parents and other caregivers of children play a crucial role in shaping child development. Various resources are available to help young people grow in positive ways.

Family and Community Health stories

  • Oregon’s homeless crisis gets an Oregon State response

    November 30, 2023

    Oregon’s homeless crisis gets an Oregon State response

    Serving the unhoused in Benton County and neighboring areas is a longstanding priority for hundreds of students studying in the College of Health. Alumni and faculty, too, support organizations that serve the unhoused. See how our students, alumni and faculty show up in a big way for the unhoused.

  • As life on the farm gets even harder, Oregon considers joining the drive for mental health help

    April 15, 2023

    As life on the farm gets even harder, Oregon considers joining the drive for mental health help

    Farmers are two to three times more likely to die by suicide than the general public. Oregon lawmakers are considering a bill that would provide state money to support a suicide helpline for people who work the land.

  • HIV self-testing shown to save lives, reduce spread

    March 23, 2023

    HIV self-testing shown to save lives, reduce spread

    Public health team turns HIV self-testing research into impact for LGBTQ+ community in Portland.

  • Oregon State FCH faculty win five national awards and nine regional awards

    September 27, 2022

    Oregon State FCH faculty win five national awards and nine regional awards

    Oregon State University faculty serving in the OSU Extension Service’s Family and Community Health (FCH) program in the CPHHS received awards from the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (NEAFCS), a professional organization for Extension FCH faculty and staff.

  • Investigators at Home provides summer enrichment for students and families

    August 22, 2022

    Investigators at Home provides summer enrichment for students and families

    OSU Extension program brings STEAM activities to underserved communities

  • Caregivers have a new resource for trauma-informed nutrition and feeding

    June 6, 2022

    Caregivers have a new resource for trauma-informed nutrition and feeding

    There’s a whole group of kids where mealtime has become a battleground with caregivers. We want to reframe mealtime so that it’s an opportunity to connect with the child and build resilience.