FCS News
Policy News from AAFCS
Policy News from AAFCS | June 01, 2026
Look up FCS-related legislation | Subscribe | Join
Downloadable report: Are you an AAFCS member? Click here for exclusive access to our bi-weekly downloadable legislative report.
Top Notes
The U.S. House Education and Workforce - Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development will hold a hearing on June 3, 2026, on "Building an AI-Ready America: Higher Education in the Age of AI."
FCS professionals have begun integrating AI into their classrooms and AAFCS' 2-day workshop on AI being held June 17-18, at the AAFCS Annual Conference will support FCS professionals as they continue to integrate this tool into their instructional plans.
To get started on your AI journey, take the AAFCS AI Academy, a 5-part virtual series which introduces AI, how it can be used in FCS work, and it's application in the classroom. The course includes content that is relevant for any FCS content area and workplace setting and is free for AAFCS members. The series also includes the issuance of a microcredential to all individuals who complete the series.
June AAFCS is Celebrating National Safety Month
Share your stories with AAFCS for inclusion in a future Newsletter. How have you contributed to consumer safety during your career? Click here, to tell us your story.
Share this informative flyer on your social channels and help inform others on the value of FCS Education!
Draft social media post:
How FCS promotes safety. Whether addressing food insecurity, emergency preparedness, or financial crises, FCS professionals provide practical, research-based solutions that keep communities safe. #NationalSafetyMonth #FCS #AAFCS
Federal Updates
June 3, 2026
Hearing on "Building an AI-Ready America: Higher Education in the Age of AI."
Washington DC | 2175 Rayburn Building | 10:15 AM
House Education and Workforce — Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development
State Updates
We've pulled a short summary of recent bills and other measures introduced around the U.S., but don't miss out, visit our Legislative Center to search for legislation by state and policy area. Note: You must be an AAFCS member and be signed in to use the interactive map.
CTE and Workforce Development
Food and Nutrition
Join us in promoting National Safety month
The AAFCS Student Unit Officers have developed a consumer safety resource page for your use. You can find it here. We are seeking the community's assistance in:
Share our FCS stories and submit your own story here.
Fund our Advocacy: AAFCS advocacy is possible thanks to a generous donation from Yvonne S. Gentzler. With this support, we are able to develop resources, conduct outreach to congressional staff, and keep the FCS Community informed. Join Yvonne is supporting advocacy. Donate today.
Your voice is important. Share your views, stories, and make an impact today.
Take Action Today
Look up FCS-related legislation | Subscribe | Join
Downloadable report: Are you an AAFCS member? Click here for exclusive access to our bi-weekly downloadable legislative report.
Top Notes
The U.S. House Education and Workforce - Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development will hold a hearing on June 3, 2026, on "Building an AI-Ready America: Higher Education in the Age of AI."
FCS professionals have begun integrating AI into their classrooms and AAFCS' 2-day workshop on AI being held June 17-18, at the AAFCS Annual Conference will support FCS professionals as they continue to integrate this tool into their instructional plans.
To get started on your AI journey, take the AAFCS AI Academy, a 5-part virtual series which introduces AI, how it can be used in FCS work, and it's application in the classroom. The course includes content that is relevant for any FCS content area and workplace setting and is free for AAFCS members. The series also includes the issuance of a microcredential to all individuals who complete the series.
June AAFCS is Celebrating National Safety Month
Share your stories with AAFCS for inclusion in a future Newsletter. How have you contributed to consumer safety during your career? Click here, to tell us your story.
Share this informative flyer on your social channels and help inform others on the value of FCS Education!
Draft social media post:
How FCS promotes safety. Whether addressing food insecurity, emergency preparedness, or financial crises, FCS professionals provide practical, research-based solutions that keep communities safe. #NationalSafetyMonth #FCS #AAFCS
Federal Updates
- S 4599 | This measure creates a pilot grant program within the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to promote “scratch cooking” in school meal programs. “Scratch cooking” is defined as preparing food using ingredients that are unprocessed or minimally processed.
- S 4597 | This measure directs the Secretary of Education, in coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to award competitive grants to eligible partnerships to establish, support, or expand career and technical education programs of study in early childhood education.
- S 4578 | This measure creates a “career pathways grant program” within the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act framework, under which the Secretary of Labor (in consultation with the Secretary of Education) would award competitive grants to State workforce agencies. The grants enable States to distribute subgrants to partnerships that carry out career pathway activities, including workforce development, education, and employer engagement.
June 3, 2026
Hearing on "Building an AI-Ready America: Higher Education in the Age of AI."
Washington DC | 2175 Rayburn Building | 10:15 AM
House Education and Workforce — Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development
State Updates
We've pulled a short summary of recent bills and other measures introduced around the U.S., but don't miss out, visit our Legislative Center to search for legislation by state and policy area. Note: You must be an AAFCS member and be signed in to use the interactive map.
CTE and Workforce Development
- CA AB 1871 | Passed Assembly, Introduced in Senate | This measure includes amendments to the California Education Code concerning the College and Career Access Pathways (CCAP) program, which promotes dual enrollment opportunities for high school students. The expansion of partnership eligibility now includes charter schools and community colleges outside primary service areas, broadening opportunities for students. Additional provisions aim to promote equitable access, prevent enrollment displacement, and uphold the core mission of community colleges.
- CA AB 2324 | Passed Assembly, Introduced in Senate | This measure establishes a Youth Caregivers Career Pathway program designed to support young individuals who provide care for family members with health issues, disabilities, or aging needs. The program emphasizes in-home caregiving and aims to integrate caregiving credits toward high school graduation, thereby preparing youth for careers as direct support professionals.
- VT H 955 | Sent to Governor for Approval | The measure establishes new organizational structures and policies for regional educational agencies, including the creation of Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) and Cooperative Education Service Areas (CESAs), with formation requiring votes by two or more supervisory unions and approval by their boards and the Secretary of Education.
- VT S 313 | Sent to Governor for Approval | This legislation aims to transform Vermont’s career technical education (CTE) system. On page 4751 of the amended measure, Sec. 3. CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION; GUIDANCE reads "On or before September 18, 2026, the Agency of Education, in collaboration with the Vermont Association of Career and Technical Directors and the Vermont Superintendents Association, shall issue guidance on the following topics, which shall reflect the current career technical education system as it exists on July 1, 2026, in an effort to provide clarity to the field prior to updates to the career and technical education rules: (1) updates to definitions, including definitions for “CTE programs,” “credentials,” “embedded academics,” and “satellite models”;"
Food and Nutrition
- Mississippi Department of Human Services | Proposed Rule | This document sets forth rules for operating the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in Mississippi through the Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS). It defines program purpose and federal delegation, assigns state responsibilities for certification, benefit issuance, quality control and performance reporting, complaints, training, claims processing, recordkeeping, and required public-facing information about rights and responsibilities, including language access and nondiscrimination obligations.
Join us in promoting National Safety month
The AAFCS Student Unit Officers have developed a consumer safety resource page for your use. You can find it here. We are seeking the community's assistance in:
- Developing flyers, curriculum, handouts, and more which feature consumer safety tips and education. (Send to [email protected])
- Share our flyer "Support FCS as Essential Consumer Safety Educators" on your social media, chat forums and listserves, and more.
- Contact your Congressional Representative to ask for their support for FCS (use the button below, it's quick and easy).
- Support the inclusion of Family and Consumer Sciences education in K-12 career and technical education.
- Ask your employer to partner with AAFCS on consumer safety education and to include FCS and FCS credentials in their job postings.
Share our FCS stories and submit your own story here.
Fund our Advocacy: AAFCS advocacy is possible thanks to a generous donation from Yvonne S. Gentzler. With this support, we are able to develop resources, conduct outreach to congressional staff, and keep the FCS Community informed. Join Yvonne is supporting advocacy. Donate today.
Your voice is important. Share your views, stories, and make an impact today.
Take Action Today