Funded by the PA Department of Human Services (DHS) through the PA Nutrition Education TRACKS, an entity of the Pennsylvania State University’s College of Health and Human Development, as part of USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). SNAP provides nutrition assistance to people with low income. It can help you buy nutritious foods for a better diet.

Welcome to TRACKS Pennsylvania Nutrition Education Tracks is the statewide program that provides Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) to low-income individuals and families who are eligible to receive SNAP benefits. The program aims to foster positive behavioral changes related to nutrition and physical activity.

About TRACKS On October 1 st 2008, the Federal Food Stamp Program changed its name to ‘Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program’ commonly known as SNAP.

SNAP provides low-income households with electronic benefits they can use like cash at most grocery stores. It is the cornerstone of the Federal Food Assistance program and provides crucial support to needy households and to those making the transition from welfare to work. The US Department of Agriculture administers SNAP at the Federal level through its Food Nutrition Service. State agencies administer the program at state and local levels including illegibility and allotments and distribution of benefits.

The Department of Human Services (DHS), formerly the Department of Welfare, is the Pennsylvania State agency that administers both SNAP and SNAP-Ed. DHS contracts with Pennsylvania State University’s College of Health and Human Development to manage SNAP-Ed programming, evaluation and fiscal components.

GOAL: Participants and applicants will make healthy food choices within a limited budget and also choose an active lifestyle. SNAP-Ed content is based on USDA guidance.

SNAP-Ed Activities AllowableUnallowable 1. Wellness and Health Promotion 2. SNAP-Ed delivered in a clinic setting 1. Medical Nutrition Therapy or Disease Management 2. Clinical Assessments The scope of SNAP-Ed is defined by federal guidance. Examples of allowable and unallowable programming are shown here.

SNAP-Ed Activities AllowableUnallowable 3. Brief physical activity demonstration 4. Food tasting and demonstration 5. Involvement with community public health partnerships 3. Ongoing exercise classes 4. Provision of snacks or meals 5. Lobbying of political appointees

Locations that are eligible for SNAP-Ed include: county assistance offices, public housing sites, and food banks.

Salaries Nutrition Education Materials Supplies Funding can only be used for SNAP-Ed related expenses such as...

TRACKS partners with local agencies to deliver nutrition education to SNAP-Ed eligible audiences in their service area.

Adult/Senior TRACK School-age TRACK Preschool TRACK ◦TRACKS is structured in three life-cycle specific programming areas:

Goals and Objectives Education Strategies Curricula and Supporting Materials Evaluation Each TRACK Includes

Education Strategies are categorized as... DIRECT EDUCATION INDIRECT EDUCATION Participants are actively engaged in the learning process and demographic data is collected. Single or series group classes One-on-one instruction Interactive multi-media Strategies often used in direct education often include: Minimal interaction between audience and instructor and demographic information is not or cannot be collected. Mass Communications: posters bulletin boards PrintedMaterial:newsletters Public Events: school health fair

For more information click on the document and website link included on the about TRACKS webpage. Thank you for your interest in TRACKS!