Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – Education (SNAP-Ed): CDC’s Perspective on How the Program Is Changing and How Public Health Can Work with This USDA Program Jennifer Seymour, PhD Senior Policy Advisor Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity

SNAP Facts The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is one of the largest food assistance programs in the nation – formerly Food Stamps Purposes: To strengthen the agricultural economy To provide improved levels of nutrition among low-income households In 2016, around 44 million people received SNAP

SNAP & SNAP-Ed Facts Food Stamp Act of 1964 - FSP permanent 1977 – legislation revised include nutrition education Since 1977, law revised several times to expand nutrition education component 1988: Early SNAP-Ed began in Wisconsin 1992: In 7 states 2004: $460 million, half from states In 2010, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act amended the 2008 Food and Nutrition Act (FNA) Established a nutrition education and obesity prevention grant program

HHFKA Section 241: SNAP-Ed Amends SNAP regulations Was solely Nutrition Education program Now Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention Services Act required USDA to consult with CDC on using public health approaches in SNAP-Ed CDC worked with FNS over several months Final rule included key words like: environmental supports, multiple venues, activities at the individual, community, and appropriate policy levels This is a big shift for SNAP-Ed programs in states SNAP – Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

SNAP-Ed Goal To improve the likelihood that persons eligible for SNAP will make healthy food choices within a limited budget and choose physically active lifestyles consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and US Department of Agriculture (USDA) food guidance

SNAP-Ed Basics Program provides $414 million to states (2017) Reach: Those who receive SNAP Those who receive other income-based programs (NSLP & NSBP, WIC, TANF, etc) Communities with significant low-income populations SNAP-Ed state programs must use evidence-based interventions or evaluate promising practices to show effectiveness Agricultural Act of 2014 authorized PA promotion

SNAP-Ed: Guidance States must implement two or more of: Individual or group-based nutrition education Comprehensive multi-level interventions Community and public-health approaches Partnering – strongly encouraged with Other USDA programs EFNEP, FDIPR, CSFP, NSLP Other national, state, and local initiatives “FNS recommends that State agencies explore and engage in collaborative opportunities with CDC-funded obesity prevention grant programs in their State” Specifically points out Programs to Reduce Obesity in High Obesity Areas.

Funding Past funding required a State contribution or match Now 100% Federal funds indexed for inflation Funds available for 2-year period of performance Used to be annual, allows flexibility Considers State share of national SNAP participation Used to be just be share of SNAP-Ed expenditures only Formula shifting to a 50/50 balance in 2018 What does this mean? Shift started with 90/10 and ends at 50/50. In 2012 California received approximately $142.5M in 2017 that went down to $107.5M. In 2012 Georgia received $1.5M in 2017 that went up to $7.5M

CDC Role Assisted USDA in Changing the SNAP-Ed Rule and Guidance to Reflect HHFKA Changes Continue to Work with SNAP-Ed at National, Regional, and State Levels Assist regions and states with transition to PSE Assist our state and community programs to partner with SNAP-Ed NCCOR evidence-based interventions and potential evaluation projects Funded training and technical assistance in SERO

SNAP-Ed Strategies and Interventions: An Obesity Prevention Toolkit for States USDA, NIH, CDC (as NCCOR) created: List of evidence-based obesity prevention interventions Policy, systems, and environmental change SNAP-Ed appropriate NCCOR and ASSNA created 2nd edition Call for interventions CenterTRT online version

SNAP-Ed Evaluation Framework: Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity Prevention Indicators Released in 2013 by WRO, national in 2016 51 evaluation indicators that align with SNAP-Ed guiding principles Indicators cover individual, environmental settings, and sectors of influence Significant expansion of evaluation within the SNAP-Ed program

Where Do Public Health Nutritionists Go From Here? Connect with SNAP-Ed Staff, consider joint trainings and webinars, invite them into coalitions Strong opportunity to work on Health Disparities/Health Equity Submit evidence-based interventions for inclusion in SNAP-Ed Toolkit If just 10% of SNAP-Ed funding goes toward public health strategies…

Questions?