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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Judy F. Wilson, MSPH, RD, Heather Hopwood, MPH, Alicia White, MS, RD, Ebony Horry, MS, R. Jane Mandell, MS, RD, and Anita Singh, PhD, RD. Food & Nutrition Service, Office of Analysis, Nutrition & Evaluation, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 3101 Park Center Dr., Rm. 1014, Alexandria, VA 22302, (703) 305-2585, judy.wilson@fns.usda.gov

Federal nutrition assistance programs provide an excellent opportunity to reach children and low-income people in ways that motivate and assist them in putting dietary guidance into practice. When these programs work together as collaborative, interconnected partners, nutrition messages are magnified, efforts are strengthened, and the likelihood of achieving goals is increased.

In 2003, USDA initiated State Nutrition Action Plans (SNAPs) to advance cross-program, integrated nutrition education among the federal nutrition assistance programs at national, State and local levels. Through the SNAP process, State teams identify a common goal and formulate a plan for working together across programs to achieve that goal. SNAP efforts include joint planning, collaborating on intervention development and implementation, and supporting the delivery of key messages across programs. SNAP is a key USDA strategy for connecting nutrition education provided by the nutrition assistance programs to deliver more consistent and comprehensive messages to individuals, families, and communities served.

Today, 47 States have formulated a SNAP and more than 900 State program representatives have participated in facilitated discussions and training on developing cross-program initiatives. Nationally, USDA is furthering the cross-program approach through policy guidance and standard operating procedures, technical assistance, national and regional cross-program nutrition education conferences, and a SNAP Web site. Future plans include addressing identified barriers and formulating nutrition messages across programs.

This presentation outlines the policies, and shares resources provided through the SNAP Web site, case studies of promising practices implemented by States, future plans, and an overview of the SNAP process and benefits.

Learning Objectives: