1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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.

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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…

13. Questions?