Anne Harrell Tom Murro Stephanie Weldy Project Supervisor: Joanie Gillis YMCA CHILDCARE ENRICHMENT PROGRAM PROJECT: HEALTHY LIVING POLICIES

 Introduction  Background  Evaluation Design  Results  Recommendations OVERVIEW

“To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.” Social development and community change Strengthen the community through 3 focus areas: Youth development Healthy living Social responsibility INTRODUCTION

 Childcare Enrichment Program  JCPS partnership  72 sites  Organizational Structure  Core values  Healthy living initiative, 2004  Pilot test  Full implementation, 2011 BACKGROUND

HEALTHY LIVING POLICIES

Evaluation Design EVALUATION QUESTION: WHAT ARE THE FACILITATORS AND BARRIERS TO POLICY IMPLEMENTATION AT CEP SITES?

 Purpose/Goals  Understand facilitators and barriers  Determine intrinsic motivators and other factors influencing policy implementation  Differentiate between “Rock-Stars” and those who do not adhere on a regular basis  Logic Model  Goals aligning with Healthy People 2020 objectives EVALUATION DESIGN Goals Reduce proportion of children who are obese, prevent inappropriate weight gain in young adults, reduce consumption of solid fats and added sugars in child diets, increase contribution of vegetables to diets of children Objectives Increase water and decrease sugary beverage consumption Increase fruit/veg consumption, decrease added sugar Increase physical activity, decrease sedentary time Increase physical activity, decrease dependence on TV Activities Ensure water pitchers are filled during hours of operation Offer one fruit/vegetable, presentation to kids Physical activities, games, recreational time Provide educational and activity based videos/ games Input Water pitchers; policy requiring filled pitchers at all times. Budgeting for food, snack suggestions to site directors Policy requiring children to be engaged in activity Policy limiting screen time, budget for educational material

 Why do the high performing site supervisors go above and beyond with policy implementation, while other supervisors fall short of expectation? What sets these groups apart?  What can the Y do differently to support successful implementation of policies?  How can gaps in staff knowledge provide insight for upcoming educational opportunities and staff training?  What is the vision of the optimal site – one that successfully implements all policies and engages children in the YMCA’s vision for building healthy communities? Evaluation Sub- Questions EVALUATION DESIGN

 Why do the high performing site supervisors go above and beyond with policy implementation, while other supervisors fall short of expectation? What sets these groups apart?  What can the Y do differently to support successful implementation of policies?  How can gaps in staff knowledge provide insight for upcoming educational opportunities and staff training?  What is the vision of the optimal site – one that successfully implements all policies and engages children in the YMCA’s vision for building healthy communities? Evaluation Sub- Questions EVALUATION DESIGN

4 Areas of Focus  Stakeholder involvement  Issue awareness of policy implementers  Organizational capacity  Individual implementer solutions EVALUATION DESIGN

 Quantitative analysis with survey administered to site directors EVALUATION DESIGN: METHODS & TOOLS  Qualitative analysis with 6 on- site observational evaluations

LET’S GO ON A FIELDTRIP!

WELCOME TO THE CEP VS.

WATER PITCHERS VS.

SNACK TABLE VS.

ACTIVITIES VS.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY VS.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

MinMaxMean Age Children Present Staff Present274.2 RESULTS  Descriptives  Total responses: 52  Women: 38  Men: 14

 Parent Interest  Snack: 27%  Physical activity: 44%  Screen time: 35%  Water: 48%  Site Directors  5 servings: 17%  30 minutes: 44%  2 hours: 25%  6-8 cups: 35%  Policy Importance  Snack: 63%  Physical activity: 74%  Screen time: 58%  Water: 71% RESULTS

Group Leader SupportChild Participation RESULTS

 Providing fruits and vegetables  Identified barriers  Parents  Space  Additional resources  Larger variety of foods  Information/nutritional facts for parents  Nutritional programming  Water Pitchers  Identified barriers  Misuse/messy area  Access to water fountain  Additional resources  More reliable/reusable cups and pitchers  Ice  Limiting screen time  Identified barriers  Parents  Possession of electronics  Additional resources  Parent involvement  Activity idea handbook  List of fun activities  Physical Activity  Identified barriers  Loss of gym space  Inclement weather plan  Additional resources  Space and/or more gym time  Activity books  Cooperation of school – school liaison RESULTS: SURVEY

REFLECTIONS FROM SITE SUPERVISORS: BARRIERS “The kids drink one drink and scatter their cups on the ground.” “Nintendo DS”

 “… the biggest barrier is the families not [introducing healthy food] at home. They learn from us, then their parents feed them pop-tarts.” REFLECTIONS FROM SITE SUPERVISORS: BARRIERS

REFLECTIONS FROM SITE SUPERVISORS: SUGGESTIONS “I would love to have an ice machine at my site. This would really help.” “The option to purchase our own snack based on what our children like.” “A special guest to come and talk about health tips and staying involved in healthy habits.”

REFLECTIONS FROM SITE SUPERVISORS: SUGGESTIONS “Fun activities to keep [kids] up and moving”

 Standardize the water policy  Activity Workbook: ideas and rainy day resources  “Kids in the Kitchen” cook kit  Educational liaison for parent education, implementation, and overview  Continued implementation of employee health management program  Encourage creation of reservation system for recreational space at host sites  Incentive giveaway program RECOMMENDATIONS

 Small sample size  Anonymity of surveys  Wide spread of ages  Site directors  Number of children at site LIMITATIONS/ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT

Thank you. ANY QUESTIONS??