Tales from the Field: Moving Forward in Taking Evidence-Based Interventions to Scale

Introduction: Recent statutory changes in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Nutrition Education (SNAP-Ed) program offer new, unprecedented potential to join efforts with other stakeholders to empower low-income individuals and communities to change policies, systems and environments (PSE) for healthy eating, physical activity and obesity prevention. This session will provide participants with current (FY15) examples of planning and implementation efforts in a variety of settings including, Parks and Recreation, Grocery Stores, Early Childhood and Education, Afterschool and Food Pantries/Food Banks.

Approach: Using the Western Region Evaluation Framework, SNAP-Ed Implementing Agencies are adding PSE approaches in addition to direct education and social marketing to methodically identify, assess, report and critically evaluate the impact of short, medium and long term outcomes. The Framework's comprehensive approach enables SNAP-Ed practitioners to use integrated, evidenced-based strategies that strategically address areas of need, assure stakeholder partnerships and evaluate progress.

Results: This session will provide diverse examples from SNAP-Ed programs across the country illustrating coordinated approaches using common measures that report target populations, settings, activities, strategies, partnerships and outcomes. 

Discussion:  SNAP-Ed is a unique program that targets low-income individuals and utilizes a comprehensive approach including direct education, social marketing and policy, systems and environmental changes.  In addition, it uses evidence-based strategies and engages both community and key stakeholders.  Program evolution through use of the Western Region Evaluation Framework for planning, implementing and reporting will allow a collective voice to reach both constituents and policymakers to highlight the impactful SNAP-Ed work being provided to vulnerable populations across the country.