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, College of Health 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.

Home Food Safety and Preservation Program

Good food is worth preserving. The Home Food Safety and Preservation Program gives Oregonians access to the most reliable, up-to-date information through classes and resources on food safety and preservation.

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 news and stories

Tribal partnerships inform OSU Extension’s food preservation initiative
The Gather, Preserve, Store, Share program brings culturally responsive food preservation education to Native communities across Oregon, combining traditional methods like sun drying with modern safety practices.
Barbara Brody helps launch Malheur Works Student Internship Program
The Malheur Works Student Internship Program, launched in 2021, aims to give area high school students their first full-time job after graduation.
FCH/SNAP-Ed coalition launches successful food program
The Crook County Green Bags (CCGB) program, launched by the FCH/SNAP-Ed coalition, has collected over 4 tons of food, providing thousands of meals to residents. Learn about this successful initiative!
OSU Extension Family and Community Health faculty awarded
Four OSU Extension Family and Community Health faculty and staff received awards at the December 5 Extension Annual Conference for their contributions, collaboration and excellence.
COH faculty receive awards for outstanding contributions
Allison Myers and Jamie Davis received the 2024 director's award for outstanding contribution at the OSU Extension Annual Conference.
$125K grant to empower CHWs to address vaccine hesitancy
The grant will help to train Oregon's traditional health care workers on how to communicate about the importance of adult vaccinations.