American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences

The American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) is a US-based nonprofit organization dedicated to network professionals in the field of family and consumer science.

History

Founded in 1908 as the American Home Economics Association by Ellen H. Richards, the organization changed its name to the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences in 1994. It originally consisted of about 800 members and grew significantly over the decades, peaking with over 50,000 members by the mid-1960s. However, membership has since declined to approximately 5,000 by early 2012.

Mission and Structure

The AAFCS operates as a professional network for educators, government officials, business leaders, and non-profit organization representatives involved in home economics and related fields. It emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, combining social sciences (focusing on individual, family, and community well-being) with natural sciences (emphasizing nutrition, development, and textile science). Key areas of focus include nutrition, cooking, parenting, human development, interior design, textiles, economics, housing, apparel merchandising, and resource management.

Awards and Publications

AAFCS offers several awards to recognize excellence in education and research:

• National Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher of the Year Award: Recognizes outstanding educational programs.
• Borden Award: Honors research in nutrition.
• Ruth O'Brien Project Grants: Supports development of research in family and consumer science.
• AAFCS Fellowships: Available to graduate students.
• Atwater International Fellowship: For non-American graduate students, established in 1947.

Publications include:

• Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences
• Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal
• AAFCS Action (previously a newsletter, now discontinued as a paper publication)

Advocacy and Partnerships

AAFCS is part of the Consortium of Family Organizations and supports legislative action through partnerships like the Home Economics Public Policy Council (HEPPC). The organization emphasizes diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice in improving well-being and quality of life for individuals, families, and communities.

Regional and National Conferences

AAFCS hosts conferences annually to foster professional development and networking. Regional chapters, such as AAFCS-TX, also organize events to connect professionals across multiple disciplines.

Notable Members and Presidents

Historically, notable members have included Anna Barrows, Josephine Thorndike Berry, and Agnes Ellen Harris. Past presidents have included Ellen Swallow Richards, Isabel Bevier, and Martha Van Rensselaer, among others.