New Initiatives in Policy, System, and Environmental change (PSE) - - PDF document

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New Initiatives in Massachusetts SNAP-Ed

Amy Branham, MS, RD, LDN UMass Extension SNAP-Ed Multi-Level Specialist March 29, 2019

Intro

 SNAP-Ed background  SNAP-Ed in Massachusetts  Policy, System, and Environmental change (PSE) project & activities  Future & Food Landscape  Objectives:  Identify the specific role of SNAP-Ed in Massachusetts  Describe PSE approaches that complement direct nutrition education  Identify three state-level projects/activities related to food access and/or food insecurity

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SNAP

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SNAP: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program- the “new” food stamps

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Federal food assistance program

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Application & eligibility requirements

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SNAP-ED

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SNAP-Ed: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education

 SNAP-Ed is an evidence-based nutrition education program that includes direct

education, social marketing, and policy, systems and environmental change (PSE) activities.

 The goal of SNAP-Ed is to improve the likelihood that persons eligible for SNAP will

make healthy food and lifestyle choices that prevent obesity.  Federal programs under Farm Bill 1939 Food Stamp purchase program established 1964 Food Stamp Act 1977 Food & Agricultural Act 1981 Food Stamp Nutrition Education

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2008 Farm Bill renamed Food Stamps to SNAP 2010 Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act 2014 Farm Bill 2018 Farm Bill

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SNAP-Ed in Massachusetts

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Four Implementing Agencies

 UMass Extension  Cooking Matters/Share Our Strength  Kit Clark Senior Services/Bay Cove  Ascentria Care Alliance 

Direct education, FFY 2018

 Direct education reached: 76,581 individuals  Settings vary (schools, community centers)  Curriculums vary by audience (youth, adults, parents, older adults)  Types vary (single session lessons, 2-8 week series)

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USDA Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) (1,162) (3,996) (1,215) (70,208)

Department of Transitional Assistance

SNAP-Ed in Massachusetts

FY2018 Statewide reach = 76,581

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Hunger in MA: Snapshot

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In 2017, 720,000 people, or 1 in 10 MA residents, didn’t have enough to eat

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In FY2017, SNAP reached 764,000 Massachusetts residents (11% state population) including adults, children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities

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more than 56% of SNAP participants are in families with children

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almost 49% are in families with members who are elderly or have disabilities

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more than 32% are in working families

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PSE

Policy, Systems, and Environmental change

PSE Direct Ed

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PSE #1

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Physical Activity breaks in the classroom, K-3

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Developed 3-5 minute activity breaks for teachers to use during the school day

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Tracked activity through paper sneaker cut-outs

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School recognized classrooms with the most sneakers

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Teacher feedback: great program, but too detailed to cut and color sneakers

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Change moving forward: barometer-type measure

 Incorporates math  Positive feedback from teachers

1,449 hours

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PSE example

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PSE #2

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Food pantry access in a Social Services Organization

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Conducted Needs Assessment with the Food Pantry site

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Promotional efforts – food demonstrations, resource displays

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Client surveys indicated challenges

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The Food Pantry site was able to extend hours of operation to improve food access for their participants

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Success stories

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GIS Mapping project

 Goal  Inform program development, future planning, and additional PSE partnerships and activities across all Implementing Agencies so that we can collectively improve reach for SNAP-Ed eligible participants  Objective  Gain an understanding of the distribution of SNAP-Ed programs in Massachusetts  Gain an understanding of program distribution as it relates to demographic characteristics and the food environment  Contracted with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC)

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Up next, future

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Continue GIS mapping project to inform program strategy, need

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Web outreach?

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Continue SNAP-Ed community and statewide involvement

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Strengthen evaluation strategy

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Food Landscape in MA- current policies and projects

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Healthy Incentives Program (HIP)

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Massachusetts Food Trust

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Breakfast After the Bell

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MA Food System Collaboration

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Food Is Medicine State plan

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Food Insecurity Screeners

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Healthy Eating Community of Practice (CoP)

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Questions & Comments

https://www.mahealthyfoodsinasnap.org/

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References & Resources

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https://snaped.fns.usda.gov/about

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https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program- education-snap-ed

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https://snaped.fns.usda.gov/

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https://snapedtoolkit.org/

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http://www.projectbread.org/

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https://www.gbfb.org/

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https://www.mass.gov/service-details/healthy-incentives-program-hip-for- clients

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Amy Branham abranham@umext.umass.edu https://ag.umass.edu/nutrition/office-locations/pse-program

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