Exploring the Use of an Image-Based Approach to Assessing Nutrition Behaviors

Formative evaluation was conducted for the Personal Health Behaviors Overview (PHBO) survey to evaluate nutrition behaviors with image-based questions in low-income populations. Forty-nine low-income adults from nutrition education classes were invited to participate with n = 42 included in the analysis. Participants completed the PHBO survey while an interviewer recorded observations. Upon completion, participants were asked questions regarding each PHBO survey item. Most participants completed the survey in an average of 4 minutes. The majority said the photographs of food made it easier to answer questions. Less than half indicated that the visuals depicting frequency made questions easier. While participant responses were aligned with the aims of the PHBO question being asked, some suggestions were offered for improvements of photographs. While this formative evaluation research indicates additional validation is necessary before use of these PHBO questions, the image-based simple question technique is a possible solution for efficient and effective nutrition assessments in low-income, limited literacy populations

Taking the Leap: Exploring a Theory of Program Innovation

Innovation in Extension is often referred to as something tangible, such as a new resource or technique or new concepts. However, these things result from a program innovation process. In this article, we elaborate a grounded theory of how this process unfolds in the context of Extension. Through analysis of data from a national survey of practitioners from innovative programs, a panel presentation, and interviews with faculty at the University of Minnesota, we describe seven factors that influence what prompts innovation and how the process tends to unfold. We synthesize a capitals-based conceptual model and discuss implications for diagnosing and strengthening program innovation

Targeted Food Marketing to Youth: Engaging Professionals in an Online Environment

The use of technology provides unique ways to create an engaged online community of learning for professionals that can be integrated into existing and future Extension programming. The Targeted Food Marketing to Youth online professional development course uses strategies and tools to create and support an engaged online community

Financial Professionals: Articulating their Roles and Delivery Methods in Financial Education

Financial education is an approach financial professionals use with their clients to build effective money management skills across the life cycle. Financial professionals conceptualize and identify their role in providing financial education in various ways. This study used a triangulation mixed methods design from a 2013 national survey to understand how financial professionals articulate their role and to determine the delivery methods used when working with clients. The survey was first included in the analysis piloted with nine financial professionals, followed by a revised survey sent to memberships of various professional organizations resulting in 251 responses. When financial professionals were asked about the financial delivery method used with their clients, their response indicated it depended on the context of the client and the content of their financial concerns. Therefore, findings suggest that the process or relationship between the practitioner and client must have elements of flexibility and adaptability woven into their delivery method based on what the client brings to the session and/or workshop

Advancing Methodology: From Mapping to Mobile Messaging Campaign

This article describes the progression of the Health Insurance Literacy (HIL) Action Team’s efforts from the initial charge by the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP) of identifying priorities for Cooperative Extension health programming to developing and testing a national mobile messaging campaign designed to change health insurance knowledge, confidence, and behaviors of millennials. It highlights relevant empirical literature, summarizes the results of a national pulse online survey administered to Extension professionals and how they were applied to this project, reviews the Design Thinking and concept mapping process, and describes the development and testing of mobile messages. Anticipated outcomes of the mobile messaging campaign are discussed. Sources of data are the national pulse online survey along with insights gleaned from Extension professionals who participated in workshops, an eXtension Design-a-thon, and responses to a survey of millennials about experiences using health insurance, social media, and texting. This effort contributes to advancing Extension’s capacity to deliver programming related to health insurance education in innovative and effective ways

Bridging Research to Practice: An Innovative Approach to Sharing Extension's Work

There is increasing competition for research-informed and trusted information online. Since Wikipedia is so prominent, it is an innovative opportunity for Extension to increase the rigor of Wikipedia articles by adding our research and education citations to make our work more discoverable and accessible

Dollars Works 2: The Evolution of a Financial Literacy Program

Dollar Works 2 is a comprehensive personal financial education program to help individuals and families strengthen their skills, better manage their personal finances, and make sound decisions about money. This article chronicles the evolution of a curriculum to enhance and modify materials to improve learning and meet the needs of multiple audiences resulting in effective programming

Community Forums to Address Vaccine Hesitancy: A Useful Tool for Meeting the Needs of Diverse Communities

Community forums are a valuable tool in engaging rural communities to address critical public health issues. Recognizing low levels of COVID-19 vaccine uptake in rural Minnesota communities and the critical public health threat that resulted, pharmacy faculty and Extension professionals from the University of Minnesota partnered with a diverse group of rural stakeholders to plan a series of six community forums to provide life-saving, evidence-based education about the COVID-19 vaccine. Each forum allowed trusted local community leaders, public health workers and healthcare providers to share information about the impact of COVID-19 in their communities.  Data about the COVID-19 vaccines was provided, and community members were allowed to ask questions and voice their concerns about the virus and the vaccines. Virtual community forums allowed rural stakeholders to reach a diverse and geographically remote population while maintaining COVID-19 distancing requirements. Offering a safe, virtual space and immediate access to reliable and trusted place-based education allowed individuals an opportunity to get their vaccine questions answered immediately. Community forums can be conducted in rural communities as a direct communication tool to address critical public health issues such as vaccine hesitancy, and empower community members to make informed decisions in fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic

Boletín del Programa Latino de Extensión para la Educación Financiera, 2015, Vol 9, Número 3

This archival publication may not reflect current scientific knowledge or recommendations. Current information available from the University of Minnesota Extension: https://www.extension.umn.edu

Latino Financial Literacy Program Newsletter, 2015, Vol 9, Issue 3

This archival publication may not reflect current scientific knowledge or recommendations. Current information available from the University of Minnesota Extension: https://www.extension.umn.edu