The Snap-Ed assistant in Christian County teaches the Healthy Choices for Every Body in a women’s recovery facility. In general, the women are enthusiastic and attentive during the classes and seem appreciative of all efforts on the part of the assistant.

To test knowledge gained from the Healthy Choices program, in the beginning the women are given entry questionnaires and those are compared to their exit questionnaire given at the end of seven required classes. The women then earn an achievement certificate. Their attendance is also recognized when they are given a bag of Nutrition Education Program incentive items at a graduation ceremony hosted by the recovery center. The incentive items are tools that correspond with lessons in the Healthy Choices classes. It is hopeful that they will find these items helpful after recovery.   

While reviewing one exit questionnaire, the SNAP-Ed assistant noticed one client left a kind note for her, explaining that she would be leaving the center and would appreciate getting her certificate. She also thanked the assistant for the classes and mentioned that she had learned so much from her.

It is important to celebrate each client’s success. Recognizing their time and dedication brings positivity and enthusiasm about the healthy concepts they learned which in turn will help them implement them in their lives.

During the 2020-2021 year, the SNAP-Ed assistant had a total of 134 clients from the recovery center and graduated 65 of them. According to their exit questionnaires, the clients showed improvement in subjects covered during the program with 70% of graduates meeting all recommended practices in food resource management like planning meals and comparing food prices, 77% meeting all recommended practices in food safety, and 57% meeting all recommended practices in food security like having enough money to feed themselves and their families.