About Us


​We are a group of family and consumer sciences professionals dedicated to improving
the lives of individuals, families, and communities.

​
Vision
The American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, of which Virginia is an affiliate, is recognized as the driving force in bringing people together to improve the lives of individuals, families and communities. 

Since 1909, AAFCS and its affiliates have provided leadership and support to professionals whose work assists individuals, families and communities in making informed decisions about their well-being, relationships and resources to achieve optimal quality of life. AAFCS is the only professional association for family and consumer sciences (FCS) students and professionals from both multiple practice settings and content areas. 
Mission
The mission of VAFCS is to effect the optimal well-being of families and individuals in Virginia by:
  • Empowering members to act on continuing and emerging concerns
  • Focusing the expertise of members for action on critical issues
  • Assuming leadership among organizations with mutual purposes​​
Core Values
The Virginia Association of Family & Consumer Sciences...
  • Believes in the family as a fundamental unit of society.
  • Embraces diversity and values all people.
  • Is dedicated to life-long learning and diverse scholarship.
  • Prepares new professionals.
  • Exemplifies integrity and ethical behavior.
  • Seeks new ideas and is open to change.
  • Promotes an integrative and holistic approach to the Body of Knowledge.
Members
VAFCS members are educators, administrators and managers, human service and business professionals, researchers, community volunteers, consultants, extension agents, pre-professional students and now, with our new Associate member category, members can be those who work in a family and consumer sciences-related field. ​
Organization History
The Virginia Home Economics Association (VHEA) came into being in 1909 as a section within the Industrial Arts Department of the Virginia Education Association, most of the members being teachers. Before a constitution was established in 1915, twelve members paid state dues of 25 cents per year. In 1921 a constitution patterned after that of the American Home Economics Association was adopted and affiliation with AHEA completed in 1924. 

​The name change to Virginia Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (VAFCS) occurred in 1994, to coincide with the name change of our national professional association, American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS).

More About VAFCS​