Best Practices and Innovative Solutions to Overcome Barriers to Delivering Policy, Systems and Environmental Changes in Rural Communities
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Date
2018-08-03
Authors
Haynes-Maslow, Lindsey
Osborne, Isabel
Pitts, Stephanie B. Jilcott
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Abstract
To better understand the barriers to implementing policy; systems; and environmental
(PSE) change initiatives within Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed)
programming in U.S. rural communities; as well as strategies to overcome these barriers, this study
identifies: (1) the types of nutrition-related PSE SNAP-Ed programming currently being implemented
in rural communities; (2) barriers to implementing PSE in rural communities; and (3) common
best practices and innovative solutions to overcoming SNAP-Ed PSE implementation barriers. This
mixed-methods study included online surveys and interviews across fifteen states. Participants were
eligible if they: (1) were SNAP-Ed staff that were intimately aware of facilitators and barriers to
implementing programs, (2) implemented at least 50% of their programming in rural communities,
and (3) worked in their role for at least 12 months. Sixty-five staff completed the online survey
and 27 participated in interviews. Barriers to PSE included obtaining community buy-in, the need
for relationship building, and PSE education. Facilitators included finding community champions;
identifying early “wins” so that community members could easily see PSE benefits. Partnerships
between SNAP-Ed programs and non-SNAP-Ed organizations are essential to implementing PSE.
SNAP-Ed staff should get buy-in from local leaders before implementing PSE. Technical assistance
for rural SNAP-Ed programs would be helpful in promoting PSE.