Transcript UNI
Evaluating the Agatston Urban Nutrition Initiative (AUNI) Program Vanessa Dabel Mentors: Drs. Ira Harkavy and Gretchen E.L. Suess MISSION As an organization, AUNI strives to: 1) Improve community nutrition and health 2) Nutrition Education Focus on obesity, poor nutrition, diabetes Foster partnerships between schools, neighborhoods, and communities Increase physical activity University Partnerships UACS Real-World Problem Solving University-Assisted Community Schools (UACS) Foster youth leadership SOURCES: http://www.upenn.edu/ccp/programs/agatston-urban-nutrition-initiative.html http://www.urbannutrition.org/index.html Increase access to healthy foods Formative evaluation as focus Aligning recommendations with the vision of NCCP Developing “best-practice” guidelines for future replication of program Contribute to broader social learning and inform policy EVALUATION GOALS Student Growth Behavioral Changes punctuality preparedness behavior violations leadership responsibility Skills & Knowledge Changes nutrition facts culinary skills gardening/carpentry skills Attitude Changes self-awareness perspective Dietary Changes dietary recall Research Question #1: How are student behavior, knowledge and attitude affected by the AUNI Peer Food Education Program? Student-Staff Interaction Logistics staff to student ratio responsiveness Learning Environment Conflict Resolution curriculum delivery student engagement modes of learning Research Question #2: How does the student-staff dynamic impact the Peer Food Education Program? JUNE 2009 Interview staff Develop observation protocol Fieldwork and notetaking Mid-summer staff interview Coding and transcription Evaluation report AUGUST 2009 Swiss Chard @ UCHS Garden AUNI a great impact on the students working in program as well as on people receiving outreach Students getting first-hand experience in implementing change in their peers Staff very committed to program and its initiatives KEY FINDINGS Benefits the program gives to the West Philadelphia community How to interact with staff to obtain information on AUNI’s history and current state Gained experience in conducting nutrition evaluation research Importance of data collection for replication WHAT I LEARNED Mentors Drs. Ira Harkavy and Gretchen E.L. Suess Evaluation team Netter Center for Community Partnerships SUMR Scholars Joanne Levy and LDI THANK YOU! ACKNOWLEDGMENTS