The Nutrition Education Program (NEP) plays a vital role in supporting community health by delivering educational services to individuals with limited resources, aiming to enhance their overall nutritional well-being. NEP offers programming through a variety of approaches, including direct education, indirect education, and policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) changes—each designed to promote healthier communities.

In May 2025, NEP hosted a statewide conference for its 82 staff members to foster professional development and encourage the exchange of best practices. The event featured a range of training sessions, including:

• Implementation of a new nutrition education curriculum for high school students
• Strategies for working with individuals of differing ability levels
• Use of a new mobile application to connect target audiences with nutrition education resources
• Responsible conduct of research and scholarly activity
• Sharing of success stories and effective practices in nutrition education

An introductory session on PSE approaches was also developed and delivered. This session provided an overview of PSE strategies, real-world examples in various settings, and facilitated discussion on current initiatives and reporting practices. To support continued improvement, participants completed a survey about their current involvement in PSE activities and reporting. With 50 responses collected, the data are now informing the development of improved PSE data collection and reporting tools.

Participant Feedback – PSE Training Session:

• 87% agreed or strongly agreed that they gained new knowledge or skills
• 76% agreed or strongly agreed the session was relevant and useful to their program needs
• 90% agreed or strongly agreed the content was well-organized and easy to understand

Ongoing professional development opportunities like this conference equip NEP staff with the tools and knowledge necessary to enhance their reach and increase the effectiveness of nutrition education efforts across the state.