Most families are facing financial and emotional strains that affect the quality of life; therefore, making it more stressful on families. UT Extension Human Development programs enable families to make sound decisions for children and family members of all ages. Programs enhance knowledge of education, standards of living, parenting skills, financial decisions, and other topics which provide tools for successful relationships. Our programs currently focus on several topic areas.
Adult Programs
Co-Parenting
Co-Parenting is an educational program for parents who are creating a parenting plan that will be routed through the Tennessee court system. This class satisfies TN code 36-6-408 requiring parents who are creating a new parenting plan to complete a minimum of four hours of education about how to not put the child in the middle of conflict and how to best support their transition through changing family scenarios.
RELAX: Alternatives to Anger
RELAX: Alternatives to Anger is a workshop to promote awareness on the impact of anger on socio-emotional health and interpersonal relationships and to provide strategies for managing heightened emotions. RELAX is an acronym that strategizes “in the moment” de-escalation tactics to recognize, empathize, listen, accept, and x-out the past.
Second Act
Second Act program strives to engage older Tennesseans in improving their quality of life, to encourage a positive outlook on the aging process, increase well-being and promote purposeful aging through strategies to promote physical, mental and financial wellness.
Youth Programs
Babysitting ROCKS
Babysitting ROCKS targets youth 12 and older and provides them with a comprehensive experience with all aspects of babysitting topics. Broad topics include child development, health, safety, communicating with parents, saving money, etc. The program can be taught as a one, two or three day camp option. Resources for the babysitting include a participant handbook and a knapsack filled with babysitting necessities.
Girl Talk
Girl Talk has been developed to bring women and girls (ages 11-14) together in a non-threatening, friendly environment to learn together about sexuality, communication, family values, and decision making. The curriculum presents factual information about sexuality, body changes, male and female differences, pregnancy, fetal development, parent responsibilities, STIs, and making responsible decisions. Girl Talk encourages both mothers (or mother-like figures) and girls to apply the skills learned to develop an open communication system within the family.
TIE it Together
TIE It Together: Trauma-Informed Education for Teaching Professionals is a program that helps with prevention work on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Research shows that early intervention through safe, nurturing relationships is key to lessening the impact of ACEs. Because of their consistent contact with children, childcare providers and school-age teachers are an invaluable source of support. In response to changes in the laws that require educators to be “trauma-informed” (see TN Annotated Codes §49-1-213, 49-1-230, 49-6-4109), this program equips agents with the tools for teaching and applying the science of ACEs.