1. An Introduction to The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP)
Falcon Conference
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Helen Chipman
National Program Leader, USDA-NIFA
7 November 2016

2. Background 14 years 9 years
14 years as EFNEP Coordinator in South Dakota
Conducted low-income nutrition education programs on 7 of 9 reservations – mostly EFNEP, but some short-term grants, as well
- 9 years at NIFA
9 years

3. What EFNEP Is Not Competitive grants program Research program
Education or Extension capacity building grants program
Independent projects
Multi-state projects

4. What EFNEP Is
A national nutrition education program for low-income families with young children and low-income youth
EFNEP brings together federal, state, and local resources to improve the health and well-being of limited resource families and youth

5. Direct Education Educators Delivery Methods Paraprofessionals (peer
Series of hands-on,
interactive lessons
Learner-centered teaching
Community-based approach
Audiences: low-income parents/caregivers with young children, low–income youth and children
Educators: paraprofessionals (peer educators) from the indigenous target population
Delivery methods: series of classes reinforced by other learning approaches
Venues: where low-income audiences are found (examples: schools, child care centers, youth program sites, CES offices, housing projects, local agency offices, community learning centers, food pantries)
Paraprofessionals
Have knowledge and experience with the community and the target audience
Are supervised and supported by professionals with programmatic and discipline expertise
May be assisted by volunteers, who help with teaching, finding participants, making meeting arrangements, and other supporting roles
EFNEP educators follow a research-based learning model that allows them to effectively reach and educate program participants. Educators are
• members of the communities they support;
• trained/supervised by university and county-based faculty;
• skilled in using hands-on, interactive teaching methods;
• committed to delivering sound instruction;
• able to influence changes in behavior and impact the lives of those they teach; and
• dedicated to reaching diverse, low-income populations.

6. Content - Four Core Areas
Diet Quality and
Physical Activity
Food Resource
Management
Food Safety
Food Security
Legislative language: To enable low-income individuals and families to engage in nutritionally sound food purchasing and preparation practices.
Focus is food, not nutrients; practices in real life settings

7. Program Oversight and Funding
Since 1969
Administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)
Federal allocation $67.9 million in FY 2016
Conducted by Cooperative Extension in all 1862 and 1890 Land-Grant Universities in all states, U.S. territories and the District of Columbia (76 institutions)

9. EFNEP Reach
Available in all states, U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia – in approximately 800 of 3,144 counties
Annually reaches roughly 120 thousand adults and 480 thousand youth directly, and more than 340 thousand family members indirectly
85% of EFNEP families are at or below 100% of poverty, earning $24,250 a year or less for a family of four
74% of EFNEP adults are minorities

10. Essential Elements Federal, State/Territory, & Local Partnership
Quality, integrity, consistency, visibility, and recognition are essential at every level
Institutions within states are expected to coordinate and cooperate with each other
Evidence-Based
Results Oriented
EFNEP brings together federal, state, and local resources to improve the health and well-being of limited resource families and youth

11. Web-based Nutrition Education Evaluation Reporting System: WebNEERS

12. FY2017 Budget – Explanatory Notes
NIFA is undertaking an analysis to update the current EFNEP formula to better reach targeted populations
particularly minorities and Native American populations
changes in national demographics, poverty rates, and levels of obesity in these populations since the formula was developed in 1981

13. Racial Breakdown of Native Participants (EFNEP Adult Data: 2007-2015, 9yr. Averages) (n=59,506)
American Indian or Alaska Native
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

14. 9 Year Trends Program Reach Program Graduates Years
Total # Adult Participants
Total # Native Participants
Average % Native
1,196,139
59,506
5.0%
Program Graduates
Years
Total # Adult Graduates
Total # Native Graduates
Average % Native
771,973
41,998
5.4%

15. % Improvement in Behavior Native Compared to All EFNEP Graduates (EFNEP Adult Checklist Data: †, 8yr. Averages)
85%
84%
85%
84%
Native
62%
66%
All
% Improvement
Nutrition
Food
Resource
Mgmt
Food
Safety
†2012 data not shown

16. # of Additional Cups Consumed
Improvement in Daily Food Consumption (Native Compared to All Adults: †)
0.6
0.5
# of Additional Cups Consumed
0.4
0.3
0.3
0.3
Fruit
Vegetable
Dairy
Native
All
†2012 data not shown

17. % Improvement in Behavior Native Compared to All EFNEP Graduates (EFNEP Adult Recall Data: †, 8yr. Averages)
95%
94%
Native
All
% Improvement
Diet Quality
†2012 data not shown

18. % Improvement in Behavior Native Compared to All EFNEP Graduates (EFNEP Adult Recall Data: †, 8yr. Averages)
Native
All
% Improvement
35%
32%
Physical Activity

19. EFNEP Youth Impacts 85% increased ability to choose healthy food
48% increased ability to prepare low-cost, nutritious foods
47% improved food preparation and food safety practices
46% improved physical activity

20. EFNEP and Native Populations
Are there sub-awards – any current ones with 1994s or in Indian country?
Yes – Example, South Dakota

21. Contact Information
Helen Chipman, PhD, RD National Program Leader, Food & Nutrition Education National Institute of Food and Agriculture, (NIFA), USDA Nutrition Division Phone: ; Fax: