FSNE Updates for FY 2007

Melanie Fisher , Pennsylvania Nutrition Education TRACKS

Pennsylvania Food Stamp Nutrition Education (FSNE) is on track for Fiscal Year 2007, with the state plan approved by the start of the new fiscal year (October 1, 2006). The official name of the FSNE Management Entity (ME), formerly Pennsylvania Nutrition Education Program (PA NEP), has changed to Pennsylvania Nutrition Education TRACKS (TRACKS). This new name reflects the programming tracks that guide FSNE programming in Pennsylvania and provides a unique identity for the program.

Sixteen local projects will deliver FSNE programming across forty-four Pennsylvania counties during FY 2007. Eight of these counties—Jefferson, Clarion, Venango, Crawford, Warren, McKean, Wayne and Pike—will be offering FSNE programming for the first time. Three new projects are included in the FY 2007 state FSNE plan: Maternal & Family Health Services, Inc., programming in Lackawanna, Pike, Schuylkill and Wayne Counties; Community Women’s Education Project, programming in Philadelphia County; and Crozer-Keystone Health Systems, programming in Delaware County.

Projects will continue to provide FSNE programming according to the three tracks— adult/senior, school age, and preschool—which were introduced in FY 2006. These tracks outline nutrition education goals and objectives, strategies, curricula and educational materials, and evaluation tools to be used for FSNE programming. The tracks are updated continually to reflect current FSNE target audience needs, best available nutrition education curricula, and improved evaluation tools. During FY 2007, thirteen projects will be implementing the adult/senior track, fourteen will be implementing the school age track, and six will be implementing the preschool track.

Formative research efforts will continue during FY 2007; the goal of these efforts is to identify nutrition education needs of low income audiences, and to determine the most effective and efficient methods with which to deliver FSNE in Pennsylvania. The TRACKS staff looks forward to a productive and rewarding year of helping low-income Pennsylvanians move toward improved nutrition and healthier lifestyles.