Jheri-Lynn McSwain, County Extension Agent of Shelby County, Texas was honored recently at the National Extension Association for Family and Consumer Sciences (NEAFCS) 2016 annual session.  She received the 3rd place National and 1st place Region Florence Hall Award at the conference held on September 12, 2016 in Big Sky, Montana.  In receiving the award, McSwain was recognized for her Step Up and Scale Down program conducted during 2014 and 2015.  This 12-week weight management program was designed to address two factors behind the obesity issue:  physical activity and diet.    During this time frame, McSwain had 167 participants that lost over 1,090 pounds of weight and had a positive change in diet as reflected through pre- and post-survey data.  McSwain presented the success from this project to elected officials and stakeholders as well as other agents across the state of Texas.  She interpreted the Shelby County model to representatives of the Texas Association of Counties and as a result Step Up and Scale Down has been adopted as part of the 2016 statewide Healthy County program.

The Florence Hall Award is presented for an outstanding program conducted by one or more NEAFCS members who have been alert in recognizing new concerns and interests of families and have involved people in planning and implementing programs that benefit families.  Miss Florence Hall, Regional Field Agent-Eastern States initiated the award in 1952 to recognize outstanding accomplishments of NEAFCS members.  

 

In addition, McSwain received the 1st place National and 1st place Region Written News Communication Award.  The Written News Communication Award encourages excellence in communication for a news article or a special feature story or a personal column.  McSwain wrote and had published in the local media a press release entitled, “Who are the Biggest Losers of Weight in Shelby County” on July 22, 2014.  The press release was published to recognize the top three highest percentage of weight lost by participants in her Step Up and Scale Down program.  Jheri-Lynn McSwain’s commitment to meeting the needs of individuals, families and communities is exemplary.   

 

 

Debby Mathews, NEAFCS President; Jheri-Lynn McSwain, CEA-FCS; Michelle Krause, Missouri Affiliate and Florence Hall Award Sponsor