An Extension Agent's "cleaning party" to demonstrate the importance of a clean, healthy facility is the recipient of the American Cleaning Institute's (ACI) 2012 Clean and Healthy Families & Communities National Award. The honor was presented to Carla Youree Bush, University of Tennessee Extension Agent, at the annual conference of the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (NEAFCS).
 
Mrs. Bush is a Family and Consumer Science Extension Agent in Cannon County, Tennessee. With the cooperation of a local housing authority, she held a "get together" with friends and neighbors with the purpose of educating about the importance of a clean, healthy home and demonstrating simple, easy ways to clean, using ACI education materials.
 
The housing authority director later reported that, as a result of the "Clean and Healthy Home" training, housing conditions improved for those who implemented the cleaning techniques that were taught.
 
"Sharing simple, common sense cleaning practices and using everyday cleaning products properly can make a real difference in people's lives," said Nancy Bock, ACI Senior Vice President of Education. "Extension educators know how to ‘teach clean.' We are proud of our longstanding relationship with NEAFCS and are glad to have the opportunity to recognize professionals like Carla, for her outstanding work to improve the lives of people in her community."
 
The Clean and Healthy Families & Communities Award honors outstanding educational programming efforts that use many of ACI's educational materials and promote the connection between cleanliness and health. Programs must demonstrate innovative outreach efforts that impact the local community and raise the awareness of the proper use and/or storage of cleaning products.
 
For more information on the award, visit www.neafcs.org.