KSU SNAP-Ed Program

Lora Gullett, Area Nutrition/SNAP-Ed Agent

Rowan County

According to USDA, the goal of SNAP-Ed is to improve the likelihood that persons eligible for SNAP will make healthy food and lifestyle choices that prevent obesity.  SNAP-Ed addresses these needs with paraprofessionals to teach basic nutrition to participants in a series of lessons on nutrition related topics.   Kentucky State University SNAP-Ed program is currently covering 5 counties in the state and each paraprofessional’s goal is to teach 56 limited resource adults and 170 youth participants a series of six nutrition lessons over the year.  

The paraprofessional receive training from professionals on nutrition, cooking techniques and the correct way to implement the approved SNAP-Ed curriculum for adults and youths. Over the past 3 months Kentucky State University SNAP-Ed program has 3 new paraprofessionals that received this training and begin implementation of the youth classes and some adult classes start achieving their individual goals for the year.  The 3 Program Assistants are on the fast track for achieving their goals as they took off running with the programs.   Montgomery Counties Assistants have almost completed their goal for the youths in the first 3 months teaching classes in all 4 of the Montgomery County Elementary Schools, as well as starting adult classes at Shepherd’s Shelter and Job Training Classes at Maysville Technical College Mt. Sterling Campus.  The Assistant in Rowan has taught 4 of 6 lessons to approximately 75 students at one Rowan County Elementary School (she started a month later than other 2) and will begin teaching the adult curriculum in January 2019 at Senior Citizens, a Recovery Center in Morehead, as well as the Job Training Classes at Maysville Technical College Morehead Campus.  All 3 program assistants helped Kentucky State University SNAP-Ed program make Shepherd’s Shelter Open House a success in October, 2018.  

            Rowan County youth classes aren’t complete yet, but results from the Montgomery County youth classes are positive.  Reports using the WEBNEERS Program shows 82 % of the children improved 1 or more knowledge or skills necessary to choose foods consistent with Federal Guidelines recommendation, and overall 77% of the children in K-2 grades improved in one or more core area.  Kentucky State University SNAP-Ed Program is happy to welcome these 3 new program assistants to our program and look forward to helping them reach their program goals in the next year.