Evaluating the Agatston Urban Nutrition Initiative (AUNI) Program Vanessa Dabel Mentors: Drs. Ira Harkavy and Gretchen E.L. Suess

MISSION As an organization, AUNI strives to: 1)Improve community nutrition and health Focus on obesity, poor nutrition, diabetes Focus on obesity, poor nutrition, diabetes 2)Foster partnerships between schools, neighborhoods, and communities University-Assisted Community Schools (UACS) University-Assisted Community Schools (UACS) SOURCES: University Partnerships UACS Real-World Problem Solving Nutrition Education Increase access to healthy foods Foster youth leadership Increase physical activity

  Formative evaluation as focus   Aligning recommendations with the vision of NCCP   Developing “best-practice” guidelines for future replication of program   Contribute to broader social learning and inform policy EVALUATION GOALS

Student Growth Behavioral Changes punctuality preparedness behavior violations leadership responsibility Skills & Knowledge Changes nutrition facts culinary skills gardening/carpentry skills Attitude Changes self-awareness perspective Dietary Changes dietary recall Research Question #1: How are student behavior, knowledge and attitude affected by the AUNI Peer Food Education Program?

Student-Staff Interaction Logistics staff to student ratio responsiveness Learning Environment curriculum delivery student engagement modes of learning Conflict Resolution Research Question #2: How does the student-staff dynamic impact the Peer Food Education Program?

Interview staff Interview staff Develop observation protocol Develop observation protocol Fieldwork and note- taking Fieldwork and note- taking Mid-summer staff interview Mid-summer staff interview Coding and transcription Coding and transcription Evaluation report Evaluation report JUNE 2009 AUGUST 2009 Swiss UCHS Garden

AUNI a great impact on the students working in program as well as on people receiving outreach AUNI a great impact on the students working in program as well as on people receiving outreach Students getting first-hand experience in implementing change in their peers Students getting first-hand experience in implementing change in their peers Staff very committed to program and its initiatives Staff very committed to program and its initiatives KEY FINDINGS

WHAT I LEARNED Benefits the program gives to the West Philadelphia community How to interact with staff to obtain information on AUNI’s history and current state Gained experience in conducting nutrition evaluation research Importance of data collection for replication

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Mentors Drs. Ira Harkavy and Gretchen E.L. Suess Evaluation team Netter Center for Community Partnerships SUMR Scholars Joanne Levy and LDI THANK YOU!