The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

3240.0: Monday, November 11, 2002 - 2:30 PM

Abstract #46788

Transforming your vision for effective WIC nutrition education: On the road to excellence tele-videoconference

Sondra Ralph, Reg Director1, Cheryl Achterberg, PhD2, Mary Lou J. Kiel, PhD2, Jeannie McKenzie, MPH, DrPH, RD2, Madeleine Sigman-Grant, Phd, RD3, and Debby Loesch-Griffin, PhD4. (1) Southwest Region Supplemental Food Programs, USDA Food and Nutrition Service, 1100 Commerce, Rm. 5C30, Dallas, TX 75242, 214-290-9812, susan_mayer@fns.usda.gov, (2) Department of Nutrition, The Pennsylvannia State University, 5 Henderson Bldg., University Park, PA 16802, (3) Cooperative Extension, University of Nevada, 2345 Red Rock St., Las Vegas, NV 89146, (4) Center for Partnership Development, University of Nevada-Reno, Human Development and Family Studies/140, Reno, NV 895557

Under the direction of the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Southwest Regional (SWR) Office, the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) State agencies of Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas, including the Native American WIC programs of Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma and Zuni Pueblo of New Mexico, convened a Nutrition Services Program Integrity (NSPI) workgroup to improve nutrition education efforts. NSPI contracted with Dr. Cheryl Achterberg of The Pennsylvania State University to develop recommendations and strategies for increasing the effectiveness of WIC nutrition education. Dr. Achterberg’s group put together an intensive training course and resource manual for NSPI. This information was then utilized by NSPI to develop a staff training tele-videoconference highlighting a behavior-focused approach to adult learning along with innovative teaching skills and techniques. This video-teleconference, entitled “On the Road to Excellence,” was broadcast on April 26-27, 2001. On the Road to Excellence was an interactive experience, which featured expert speakers, outstanding local nutrition education efforts, on-site learning opportunities, and an “ask the speaker” session. Over 2,500 nutrition educators in the SWR participated in the event, along with viewers from 22 other states, as far away as Hawaii. Dr. Madeline Sigman-Grant of the University of Nevada evaluated the video-teleconference. Evaluation results indicate that video teleconferencing proved to be an effective learning environment to a large number of participants at an average cost of approximately $145 per participant.

Learning Objectives: At the end of this session the participants in this session will be able to

Keywords: Nutrition, WIC

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Media and Technology Based Nutrition Education Programs

The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA