ERIC Number: EJ1464534
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023
Pages: 15
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: EISSN-2325-5226
Available Date: 0000-00-00
Barriers to Policy, Systems, and Environment Work: Using Community Engagement as a Tool in SNAP-Ed's Multi-Level Comprehensive Programming
Cristian Meier; Casey Coombs; Amria Farnsworth; LaCee Jimenez; Heidi LeBlanc
Journal of Human Sciences & Extension, v11 n3 2023
Implementing policy, system, and environmental (PSE) changes has several well-known challenges that have been documented in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education's (SNAP-Ed) comprehensive approach to obesity prevention and reduction. The purpose of the current study was to explore the use of community engagement (CE) as a strategy to address the common challenges experienced in implementing a multi-component community-based program. Phone interviews (N = 7) were conducted with SNAP-Ed educators in Utah using semi-structured interviews. Emergent themes were identified as transcripts were coded independently by two researchers until a high level of agreement was achieved. Four themes emerged from the interviews: barriers to PSE progress, educator CE, the perceived value of using a CE approach to PSE work, and future supports that could increase educators' ability to use CE when doing PSE work. While effective at eliciting long-term improvements among priority populations, there are several well-documented challenges associated with developing, implementing, and sustaining PSE projects. CE, defined as the process of involving members of a community in the planning, design, implementation, and improvement of a community-based initiative, may be an effective strategy to overcome many of these challenges and lead to long-term PSE changes and improved health outcomes.
Descriptors: Barriers, Community Involvement, Community Programs, Federal Programs, Nutrition, Welfare Services, Health Education, Community Education, Intervention, Health Promotion, Teachers, Community Services, Partnerships in Education
School of Human Sciences, Mississippi State University. PO Box 9745, Mississippi State, MS 39762. Tel: 662-325-6861; Fax: 662-325-8188; e-mail: jhse@ext.msstate.edu; Web site: https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/jhse/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Utah
Identifiers - Laws, Policies, & Programs: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A