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Douglas County

K-State Research and Extension Douglas County 
2110 Harper Street
Lawrence KS 66046

Hours: 8 am - 5 pm
Monday - Friday

785-843-7058

Directions

Bus Routes to Our Office

Bus Route Options: Route 1 & 5

We stand for the fair and equitable treatment of all people. Read more...

Public Statement of Equity and Justice (pdf)

Extension Strategic Plan

Our 2023-2025 Strategic Plan for making K-State Research & Extension Douglas County grow and thrive with and for the community is here! Click below to learn more!

2023 - 2025 Strategic Plan of K-State Research & Extension Douglas County

Programs and Resources

Managing Your Money          Indoor Air Quality           Family Life          Textiles          Kansas Saves

Managing Your Money

No one is born with natural money management skills. You may have learned some money management skills from your family but you may want to manage your finances differently than your parents did. You also may have learned some money management skill at school or through life experiences. Developing good money management skills takes time, practice, and patience. Check out the following resources for tips on how to manage debt and get started building financial security!

Financial Security in Later Life

A national initiative encourages people to prepare for retirement and potential long-term care costs while meeting day-to-day obligations using planning, saving, and debt control.

A great resource for seniors:
Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging
1720 SW Topeka Blvd.
Topeka, KS 66612
(785) 235-1367 or (800) 798-1366

Visit our Program Library and Useful Links for program related documents and websites.

Indoor Air Quality

Radon
Radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Homeowners are encouraged to test their home every two years. Test kits are available at a nominal charge (usually around $6) from most county extension offices. Call the Douglas County Extension Office to check on availability.

Mold and Allergies
Mold produces "spores," tiny specks you can't see and that float through the air. When you breathe in mold spores, then get into your lungs and can cause health problems. People with allergies to molds may have reactions under these conditions.

Lead
Lead poisoning is a serious health threat for young children in and around the home. Your children can be poisoned if they get lead in their bodies, which can cause learning and behavior problems. Lead may damage hearing and the nervous system, including the brain. Laws have been passed to ban lead in household paint, gasoline and water pipes, but many older homes still have lead in them.

Visit our Program Library and Useful Links for program related documents and websites.

Family Life

The Wonderwise Parent is designed for parents, grandparents, foster parents, steparents, caregivers, teachers, and parent educators. It was created and is maintained by Dr. Charles A. Smith, Extension specialist with Kansas State Research and Extension in the School of Family Studies and Human Services at Kansas State University.

CoupleTALK - Enhancing Your Relationship is a booklet and activity cards to help each couple find ways to communicate better and enrich their relationship.

Visit our Program Library and Useful Links for program related documents and websites.

Textiles

Textiles have played a rich part in our lives. They are constructed of many materials and techniques, and they have been made from natural fibers such as cotton, flax, silk or wool or from man-made fibers such as rayon, nylon, and polyester. Textiles can be simple in structure and composition, or they can be composite objects incorporating many materials like quills, beads, metals, paints, bones, shells, feathers, and leathers.

Contemporary household furnishings, clothing, many fashion accessories, and even fragmented archeological finds may all be classified as textiles. Pieces such as quilts, tapestries, embroideries, flags, and christening gowns have been treasured for their artistic, technical, cultural, or sentimental value.

Most textiles have served as functional objects. This use, compounded by environmental factors, affects an object's condition and often results in the need for special care. Decisions on the handling, display, and storage of textiles can make the difference between a short life span and survival for generations.

The documents and links below provide helpful information about textiles and their care.

FabricLink is an innovative educational resource and communication link developed for the textile/apparel/retail industry and its consumers.

The American Sewing Guild is a national non-profit organization dedicated to people who believe sewing is a rewarding and creative activity.

Visit our Program Library and Useful Links for program related documents and websites.

Kansas Saves

We are joining communities across Kansas to launch the Kansas Saves program. Kansas Saves is a partner with America Saves-a nationwide campaign to encourage building wealth not debt. Enrolling as a Kansas Saver, allows you to establish personal savings goals, receive savings messages and a Build Wealth Not Debt brochure. Visit the Kansas Saves website, which explains how to save and how to use Savers services including enrollment as a Kansas Saver.

Listen to a timely Money Moment for a tip on how you can begin to build wealth. Today we are featuring Tax Credits for Home Energy Efficiency Improvements. Be sure to visit our Program Library for more Money Moment tips!

Visit our Program Library and Useful Links for program related documents and websites.