Describe the Issue or Situation.

According to the Community Needs Assessment dashboard, two pressing issues in Johnson County for Individual and Family Development Needs is "ensuring individuals and families have access to affordable nutritious food." and "stronger parenting and relationship-building skills." Taking this data into consideration, a program was taught at the Johnson County Public Library focused on the importance of eating meals together as a family. In order to convey the importance of this habit to participants, materials from How To Get Out of a Mealtime Rut and Cook Together, Eat Together were utilized.

Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).

In collaboration with the Johnson County Public Library, a lesson focused on creative strategies and barrier reduction for increasing the number of weeknight dinners eaten by families was taught to the public. 

Provide the Number and Description(s) of Participants/Target Audience.

Direct Contacts: 16 Participants - Race/Ethnicity: Non-Hispanic/White, All Female
Indirect Contacts: 64

Provide a Statement of Outcomes or Program Impact. Please note that the outcomes statement must use evaluation data to describe the change(s) that occurred in individuals, groups, families, businesses, or in the community because of the program/outreach.

The initial goals of this program:

1. Increase food preparation skills in an effort to strengthen the knowledge and use of affordable nutritious food by the families in representation of Johnson County within this class. 

 2. Improve food resource management practices for participants in an effort to strengthen parenting and relationship building skills through the act of weekly family dinners. 

Per the evaluation, 100% of the participants chose "Yes" when examining their behavior change strategies in response to attending this program. Specifically, one of these behavior change responses was to try a creative strategy to overcome a cooking rut at home. Additionally, all participants showed an increase in their Level of Understanding for importance of eating meals at home, creative strategies to increase meals at home, and how to overcome barriers when present. Finally, a common significant take away from this class for the participants was the incorporation of using their Slow Cooker for weekly meal rotations.