Family, Career and Community Leaders of America

Family, Career and Community Leaders of America is a nonprofit, national career and technical student organization for young men and women in Family and Consumer Sciences education and related technical programs in public and private school, in Middle School and High School. Everyone is part of a family, and FCCLA is the only national Career and Technical Student Organization with the family as its central focus. Since 1945, FCCLA members have been making a difference in their families, careers, and communities by addressing important personal, work, and societal issues through Family and Consumer Sciences education and related technical programs.

Today over 160,000 members in nearly 5,400 chapters are active in a network of associations in 47 states, including the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Chapter projects focus on a variety of youth concerns, including teen pregnancy, parenting, family relationships, substance abuse, peer pressure, environment, nutrition and fitness, teen violence, and career exploration. Involvement in FCCLA offers members the opportunity to expand their leadership potential and develop skills for life -- planning, goal setting, problem solving, decision making, and interpersonal communication -- necessary in the home and workplace.

Mission

To promote personal growth and leadership development through Family and Consumer Sciences education. Focusing on the multiple roles of family member, wage earner and community leader, members develop skills for life through: character development, creative and critical thinking, interpersonal communication, practical knowledge, and career preparation.

Purposes

• to provide opportunities for personal development and preparation for adult life

• to strengthen the function of the family as a basic unit of society

• to encourage democracy through cooperative action in the home and community

• to encourage individual and group involvement in helping achieve global cooperation and harmony

• to promote greater understanding between youth and adults

• to provide opportunities for making decisions and for assuming responsibilities

• to prepare for the multiple roles of men and women in today's society

• to promote Family and Consumer Sciences and related occupations

Program Emphasis

FCCLA is the only in-school student organization with the family as its central focus. FCCLA is a career and technical student organization that functions as an integral part of the Family and Consumer Sciences education and Related Technical Education curriculum and operates within the school system, and it provides opportunities for active student participation at local, state, and national levels.

FCCLA is a strong program that builds leadership and career development. FCCLA teaches essential personal and career skills in four career pathways: human services, education and training, hospitality and tourism, and visual arts and design. FCCLA offers members the opportunity to develop career-ready skills such as management, goal setting, problem solving, and collaboration.

To unify the types of projects we do across the country, we have 8 National Programs: Career Connection, Community Service, Families First, Families Acting for Traffic Safety, Financial Fitness, Power of One, Stand Up, and Student Body.

Membership

FCCLA has a national membership of over 205,000 young men and women in nearly 6,500 chapters. There are 50 state associations including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Since its founding in 1945, FCCLA has involved more than nine million youth. Former members are eligible to become members of Alumni & Associates.

Governance

Eleven state officers (students) are elected by voting delegates at the annual State Leadership Conference and together make up the State Executive Council. The Board of Directors is composed of adult representatives from education and business and two youth representatives. Local chapters elect their own youth officers. Chapter advisers are Family and Consumer Sciences teachers.

Financial and Cooperative Support

FCCLA is supported primarily by student membership dues. Additional funds are raised from individuals. FCCLA is endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education (Office of Vocational and Adult Education) and the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS). PA FCCLA is endorsed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education in the Bureau of Career and Technical Education. PA FCCLA seeks to develop partnerships and sponsorships with agencies and businesses.

State Staff

The PA FCCLA State Adviser and PA FCCLA State Facilitator are Pennsylvania Department of Education Administrators of Family and Consumer Sciences Education. Additional positions are sponsored on honorarium by the PA FCCLA Board of Directors.