Best Practices and Innovative Solutions to Overcome Barriers to Delivering Policy, Systems and Environmental Changes in Rural Communities

ECU Author/Contributor (non-ECU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)

Lindsey,Osborne,Isabel,Pitts,Stephanie B. Jilcott Haynes-Maslow (Creator)

Institution

East Carolina University (ECU )

Web Site: http://www.ecu.edu/lib/

Abstract: To better understand the barriers to implementing policy; systems; and environmental(PSE) change initiatives within Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed)programming in U.S. rural communities; as well as strategies to overcome these barriers, this studyidentifies: (1) the types of nutrition-related PSE SNAP-Ed programming currently being implementedin rural communities; (2) barriers to implementing PSE in rural communities; and (3) commonbest practices and innovative solutions to overcoming SNAP-Ed PSE implementation barriers. Thismixed-methods study included online surveys and interviews across fifteen states. Participants wereeligible if they: (1) were SNAP-Ed staff that were intimately aware of facilitators and barriers toimplementing programs, (2) implemented at least 50% of their programming in rural communities,and (3) worked in their role for at least 12 months. Sixty-five staff completed the online surveyand 27 participated in interviews. Barriers to PSE included obtaining community buy-in, the needfor relationship building, and PSE education. Facilitators included finding community champions;identifying early "wins" so that community members could easily see PSE benefits. Partnershipsbetween SNAP-Ed programs and non-SNAP-Ed organizations are essential to implementing PSE.SNAP-Ed staff should get buy-in from local leaders before implementing PSE. Technical assistancefor rural SNAP-Ed programs would be helpful in promoting PSE.

Additional Information

Publication

Other

Language: English

Date: 2018

Keywords

rural populations; food assistance; low-income

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