1. NC2169: EFNEP Related Research, Program Evaluation and Outreach
EFNEP: Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program
Deb Hamernik, NC2169 AA
2016 Joint ESS/CES Meeting
September 20, 2016
Jackson, WY

2. NC2169: EFNEP
Clientele:
Low income families, self reported as: 53% White, 26% African American, 4% American Indian or Alaska Native and 3% Asian or Pacific Islander and 39% reported their ethnicity as Hispanic (2011 NEERS 5 data)
These groups most likely to be obese with one or more obesity-related chronic diseases
EFNEP operates in 800 counties in all 50 states and six territories reaching 130,485 adults and 479,398 youth in 2012.
The total number of lessons taught annually to these adults and youth is estimated at 3.9 million.
For the 2012 Federal Fiscal Year, the total distribution of funds authorized under the Smith-Lever Act was $69,678,671 (USDA, 2013)
Need to maximize the value of this investment -- effectiveness of nutrition education and on wider benefits that have the potential to improve quality of life (e.g., non- dietary benefits of EFNEP).

3. NC2169: EFNEP 25 participants 21 states throughout the US
Second, five-year project (expires 09/30/2018)
Objectives
To test the validity and reliability of the EFNEP 24 hour dietary recall methods.
To identify and/or develop valid behavior checklist survey items that assess diet quality, nutrition-related behavior, and food resource management related behaviors due to EFNEP participation.
To determine if EFNEP participation influences Quality of Life (QoL) and if improved QoL is associated with sustained positive behavior changes.
To investigate EFNEP outcomes that indicate cost benefit and cost effectiveness of the program to participants and communities.

4. NC2169: EFNEP Factors that make NC2169 successful:
Excellent leadership and participation in NC2169
NC2169 members are passionate about EFNEP
Relatively large number of members—breadth of expertise (qualitative research, statistics, economic analysis, nutrition, years of experience with EFNEP)
Everyone participates in various activities--enables the group to get participants from across the country that represent the broad scope of EFNEP clientele
Some stations (2?): competition for $10, $30,000 per year

5. NC2169: EFNEP Barriers that may be limiting the potential of NC2169:
Funding
AES dollars at many universities are no longer available for research (operating or staff) or travel to the annual meeting
Pressure from the national program to produce results quickly
Hard to make rapid progress without financial support

6. NC2169: EFNEP
Lessons learned that can help enhance research/extension partnerships in the future:
Communication is essential
Keep the group connected, involved, accountable
Monthly teleconferences for work groups
Everyone makes the annual meeting a priority
Commitment to common goals and group process
Strong, willing leadership
Shared leadership — someone always steps up when needed

7. Questions. Deb Hamernik (DHamernik2@unl
Questions? Deb Hamernik Mary Kay Wardlaw