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.

In May 2024, in a joint partnership with USDA-NIFA and the CDC, the Extension Foundation funded 33 EFNEP programs across the country with over $2 million to promote the BRIDGE Access Program, focused on building awareness of eligibility and access to a free COVID-19 vaccine, as well as ongoing adult vaccine education. In addition to promoting the program in adult EFNEP classes with Power Point presentations and recipe cards and at health fairs, programs also used a variety of outlets including social media, Hispanic newspapers, church bulletins and bus marketing techniques. Assets from other institutions were also available to use and adapt. Some of these assets will be shared during the presentation.

Some of the successes reported to-date include increasing EFNEP educators’ knowledge of other health issues, access to additional professional development and resources, showcasing EFNEP community partnerships and community trust, offsetting some costs from the EFNEP budget, and increasing the variety of how different health promotion topics are marketed. Challenges included working with individual institutions’ differing research offices, Covid-19 vaccination hesitancy, and having to pivot earlier than anticipated to a general Adult Immunization Education initiative. With a reach of over 2 million in the first quarter alone, these types of partnerships have a great opportunity to get important health messages to those most in need while showcasing the community-based network throughout the nation via our land-grant institutions.

In the fall of 2022, Texas A&M EFNEP began working on adapting the 24-Hour Dietary Recall training materials from Oklahoma State University to provide training that more accurately reflects the unique needs of educators and participants when dietary recalls are collected in group settings.   Over the course of 2022 and 2023, Texas EFNEP worked with the Texas A&M Educational Development and Engagement department to create a training video, facilitator guide, and trainee workbook.  In the summer of 2024, all Texas EFNEP and Prairie View EFNEP paraprofessional staff received a complete re-training of dietary recall collection using these newly created materials.  
During this presentation, we will discuss the process of creating the training video, dive deep into the structure of the food recall training and share examples of what participants will learn in the training.

Participants will learn:
- The primary adaptations done in the training from one-on-one food recalls to group food recalls
- Best practices for training EFNEP paraprofessionals in group food recalls
- View snapshots of the training to get a better idea of what to expect

EFNEP National Conference attendees will be able to register to attend the train-the-trainer conference in Texas during the summer of 2025. At this conference, participants will receive digital copies of the training video, facilitator guide, and participant workbook and gain hands-on experience on best practices and guidelines for implementing the materials with paraprofessional staff.

EFNEP and SNAP-Ed are often delivered in settings where adult audiences are not engaged in the paid workforce such as in senior centers or drug treatment centers. Adults with traditional paid jobs but who do not earn wages that disqualify them from public benefits face barriers to attending nutrition education classes that are unique to their circumstances. Moreover, most EFNEP adult participants are women so there is limited understanding of motivation and barriers to attend nutrition education programs for people who identify as men. This session will present findings from a qualitative examination of the attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors of SNAP eligible working adults as they relate to nutrition education. We will also discuss ways of engaging participants, recruitment, and retention strategies developed through these findings.

By the end of this session, conference attendees will understand the purpose, development process, and plan for monitoring the new EFNEP Partner website. To view the new website, please visit https://efnep.extension.org/. 

Give us your feedback about the website → https://forms.gle/iYiUQfv3k3vVJYJw6 

The integration of gardening and food preservation education into the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) provides a comprehensive strategy to enhance food security, food safety, and food resource management. Continued support in these areas promotes sustainable lifestyle changes among families, leading to improved health outcomes.

Ongoing education in gardening and food preservation equips families with skills to cultivate and preserve their own food, fostering resilience against economic challenges and supply chain disruptions. Access to homegrown and preserved foods can significantly improve a family's nutrition, reduce food expenses, and promote a more sustainable lifestyle. By learning to grow their own fruits, vegetables, and herbs, families can ensure a fresh, chemical-free food supply. Additionally, skills in food preservation—like canning, fermenting, and dehydrating—allow them to extend the shelf life of their harvests, minimizing waste and providing food security throughout the year.

These practices also encourage community engagement, as families can share knowledge, seeds, and even excess produce with neighbors. In times of economic uncertainty or disruptions in the food supply chain, these skills not only bolster individual resilience but also strengthen community ties and local food systems, creating a more self-sufficient and environmentally conscious society.

Utilizing cross program collaboration to create a forward-thinking and visionary approach for further engagement between Master Gardener, Master Food Preservers, and EFNEP. Strategies include joint workshops or a series and events. Organized workshops and events that integrate gardening, food preservation, and nutrition education by pooling resources like community gardens, kitchens for preservation, and educational materials.

Recruiting and retaining culturally diverse educators in the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) is critical to sustaining its impact in underserved communities. Strategic investments in program longevity and community engagement are essential to address these goals. Partnering with organizations and institutions that offer Community Health Worker (CHW) programs, such as City Colleges of Chicago and Sinai Urban Health Institute (SUHI), provides a viable pathway for training paraprofessionals and future EFNEP staff. Through these partnerships, candidates gain skills, receive stipends, and work part-time, contributing to program success while preparing for long-term careers.

A tiered career pathway within EFNEP, ranging from Community Outreach Worker to Program Administrator and County Director, promotes career growth and retention. Additionally, a referral system incentivizes current staff to recommend qualified candidates, further enhancing recruitment efforts.

To bolster professional development, existing staff are encouraged to pursue CHW certification through institutions such as Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and City Colleges of Chicago, with a financial incentive for completion. The introduction of a bilingual differential, modeled after the University of Wisconsin’s initiative, underscores the importance of linguistic diversity and creates a more inclusive workplace. These strategies, centered on collaboration, skill-building, and community-focused recruitment, aim to reduce staff turnover and ensure that EFNEP educators reflect the diverse communities they serve.

In today's digital landscape, social media has become an essential tool for the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) to connect with communities, partners, and stakeholders. Leveraging various social platforms allows EFNEP to promote its mission, share program successes, and increase public awareness. However, with the rapid development of numerous social platforms (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, Pinterest) over the last two decades, questions arise regarding the most effective ways to engage diverse audiences and communicate the value EFNEP provides.

Developing and implementing strategies to enhance a program's social media presence is critical for driving public interest, fostering partnerships, and deepening community engagement. In this session, representatives from Clemson University, North Carolina State University, and the University of Maine will share their experiences and best practices for creating social media content, planning, scheduling, and tracking engagement. We will also emphasize the importance of showcasing real stories from local communities, amplifying partnerships, and sharing partner content to create a more authentic and impactful social media presence.