Karen Blass
Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Resources

Karen Blass is an Extension Educator in Family and Consumer Resources in Rockingham County providing programs and other educational resources to individuals, busninesses and organizations. Areas of programming include personal financial management, consumer education, family life issues, youth at risk, youth and money management, consumption and sustainability, parenting education, impact of media on the health of families and youth, supporting the healthy development of boys and girls, nutrition and healthy lifestyles, consumer issues of seniors especially fraud. Karen collaborates with a variety of volunteers, organizations and professionals; providing direct programming to their clients and/or professional development training for staff. Karen was also part of a 10-year NH statewide project called HICEAS to assist seniors with questions on Medicare, Medigap, and Long-Term Care Insurance.

Biography

Karen has been with UNH Cooperative Extension since 1990, working as an Extension Educator in Rockingham County in the area of Family and Consumer Resources.  In the past Karen has served as faculty for Granite State College teaching Human Development, Child Development and Adult Development, coordinated a comprehensive 3-year research study on infant development and parenting and developed a lifeskills curriculum and taught  for a NH employment program.

Educational Background

• M.Ed., Counseling Education, 1989, University of New Hampshire.

• B.A., Psychology, 1976, Regis College, Weston, MA.

Program Specialty Areas

• Provides classes, workshops, publications and information on money management and consumer issues including spending/savings plans, debt repayment, effective use of credit, risk management, financial recordkeeping, saving for financial goals, managing a limited income, managing debt between jobs, and communicating about money.

• Programs available include Taking Charge of Your Finances, Making Money Work For You, Investing For Your Future, New Hampshire Saves, PowerPay Debt Repayment Analysis, Legal Check-up, Financial Security in Later Life, and Project CASH (Creating A Savings Habit) for college students.

• Distribution of educational publications such as Developing a Spending/Savings Plan, When Your Bills Pile Up, Your Credit File, Your Valuable Papers

• The impact of advertising and commercialism on debt and savings.

• Provides programs and resources to parents, schools and communities on the impact of media on the health of children, youth and families.

Contact Information

• Rockingham Staff
• Family and Consumer Resources Staff
• Staff Profile home