Abstract
Objective
Provide a nuanced understanding of how Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) implementers decide what programming a school is ready to implement and
the organizational factors that facilitate the initial implementation of programming
in schools.
Design
Case studies conducted at schools during 2018–19.
Setting
Nineteen School District of Philadelphia schools receiving SNAP-Ed-funded nutrition
programming.
Participants
Interviews were conducted with 119 school staff and SNAP-Ed implementers. A total
of 138 hours of observations of SNAP-Ed programming were completed.
Phenomenon of Interest
How do SNAP-Ed implementers decide what PSE programming a school is ready to implement?
What organizational factors can be developed to facilitate the initial implementation
of PSE programming in schools?
Analysis
Interview transcripts and observation notes were coded deductively and inductively
on the basis of theories of organizational readiness for programming implementation.
Results
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education implementers focused on schools’ existing capacity when determining readiness for
programming.
Conclusions and Implications
Findings suggest that if SNAP-Ed implementers only focus on a school's existing capacity
when assessing its readiness for programming, the school might not receive the programming
it needs. Findings suggest SNAP-Ed implementers could develop a school's readiness
for programming by concentrating efforts on cultivating relationships, program-specific
capacity, and motivation at schools. Findings have equity implications for partnerships
in underresourced schools that may have limited existing capacity and consequentially
could be denied vital programming.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: April 19, 2023
Accepted:
March 10,
2023
Publication stage
In Press Corrected ProofFootnotes
Conflict of Interest Disclosure: The authors have not stated any conflicts of interest.
Identification
Copyright
© 2023 Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
