Barriers to Policy, Systems, and Environment Work: Using Community Engagement as a Tool in SNAP-Ed's Multi-Level Comprehensive Programming
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| Title: | Barriers to Policy, Systems, and Environment Work: Using Community Engagement as a Tool in SNAP-Ed's Multi-Level Comprehensive Programming |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Cristian Meier, Casey Coombs, Amria Farnsworth, LaCee Jimenez, Heidi LeBlanc |
| Source: | Journal of Human Sciences & Extension. 2023 11(3). |
| Availability: | 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/ |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 15 |
| Publication Date: | 2023 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Barriers, Community Involvement, Community Programs, Federal Programs, Nutrition, Welfare Services, Health Education, Community Education, Intervention, Health Promotion, Teachers, Community Services, Partnerships in Education |
| Geographic Terms: | Utah |
| Laws, Policies and Program Identifiers: | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) |
| ISSN: | 2325-5226 |
| Abstract: | 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. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2025 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1464534 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | 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. |
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| ISSN: | 2325-5226 |
