A Process Evaluation of a Mini-Grants Program to Disseminate Evidence-Based Nutrition Programs in Rural Churches and Worksites

In an effort to disseminate evidence-based interventions in rural communities, the Emory Prevention Research Center (EPRC) implemented a mini-grants program in collaboration with community partners in Southwest Georgia. The EPRC provided up to $4,000 and technical assistance to four African American churches and three worksites in rural Southwest Georgia to conduct research-tested interventions. A process evaluation was conducted to assess the how completely the sites implemented the interventions with fidelity and to generate lessons learned to inform future dissemination activities. The process evaluation also examined reach, recruitment, adaptation, context, resources and maintenance. Data collection tools included: activity forms, technical assistance logs, interviews with ten local coordinators, seven focus groups with committee members, and other program documents. Interviews and focus groups were tape-recorded, transcribed, coded and analyzed for themes. Preliminary findings indicate that technical assistance focused on core elements, linking to resources, and tailoring the program to their local context. Eleven months into the 12 month program, over 87% of the program core element activities had been completed across all mini-grant sites; and three of seven sites had completed all program core element activities. Influential contextual factors included past site coordinator experience in program planning, engagement of organizational leaders, and conflicting organizational or personal priorities for site coordinators. Implications of these findings for using mini-grants to disseminate evidence-based interventions in rural communities will be discussed.