2025 National EFNEP Coordinators' Conference

Innovations in EFNEP-Related Research: Updates from the NC3169 Multistate Research Group: Research and evaluation have been critical components of EFNEP since the program’s beginning in 1969. Over the past sixteen years, the NC3169 Agricultural Experiment Station Multistate Research Group (EFNEP-Related Research, Program Evaluation, and Outreach) has worked to conduct research, informed by EFNEP program needs, to improve the quality and scientific rigor of the program’s delivery and evaluation. This session will provide updates on four studies recently conducted by NC3169: (1) a review of diet recall methodology and technical and training needs to inform best practices of diet recalls across all EFNEP programs, (2) the development and validation of an EFNEP quality of life scale for participants and peer educators, (3) a qualitative analysis of barriers faced by peer educators when providing physical activity education as part of EFNEP lessons, and (4) a pilot study investigating the validity of retrospective evaluation, versus standard pre-post evaluation, of the EFNEP Adult Questionnaire. High-level updates from each of these four studies will be shared, as well as opportunities for EFNEP programs to get involved with study recruitment and data collection for these and other projects. Moreover, a discussion of how EFNEP coordinators and other state staff can join NC3169 will be had.