NEWKIRK — May 4-10 has been declared Oklahoma Home and Community Education week in counties across Oklahoma.

OHCE is a program of continuing education in all aspects of home and community life, said Glenn Muske, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service interim associate dean, assistant director, family and consumer sciences.

The organization's ultimate mission is to educate its members to be well-informed and to handle change in their home and community. With its relationship with the OSU Cooperative Extension Service, OHCE presents research-based information to its members. This long relationship has added strength and visibility for each organization.

OHCE provides monthly educational lessons, leadership development and community service projects which provide OHCE members an opportunity to apply this research-based information in their homes and communities.

OHCE has a unique position to assist individual members, their families and communities to develop a higher level of living through education. No other organization is better poised to develop community leaders and inform citizens through the programs they offer.

Donna Jones, OHCE state president, describes OHCE members as "the backbone of many communities. Through OHCE leaders are made to affect change in communities, our state and the nation. Through OHCE more leaders are made to lead our communities, our states and our nation.

OHCE has made some great contributions to the State of Oklahoma in years past. We will be making an even greater impact on the state today with our new programs and projects."

OHCE is a statewide and county based organization. County Extension educators, family and consumer sciences, serve as advisors to county OHCE organizations. District and state Cooperative Extension specialists and supervisors work with county Extension educators and the OHCE program.

Working in a cooperative effort, OHCE members and Extension educators are able to identify local issues facing families. These issues become the basis for OHCE educational programming and efforts are made to help families solve these problems, said Mary Rhyne, Kay County FCS/4-H Extension Educator and OHCE Advisor.

For more information about OHCE groups or to join this organization, contact Rhyne at 580-362-2200. The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, or status as a veteran, and is an equal opportunity employer.