Outcomes From a Montana School Wellness in Action Mini-Grant Program and Implications for Sustaining Long-Term Policy Support

Abstract

ObjectiveTo provide a financial incentive to support the implementation of the federally mandated school wellness policy in Montana school districts. To learn effective methods and best practices that school districts utilize for building and sustaining a healthy school nutrition environment.DescriptionBy analyzing data from the final reports and follow-up surveys from three cycles of the School Wellness in Action mini-grant program, a summary of wellness projects, leadership methods and specific outcomes was developed. Key factors, best practices, and implications for long-term implementation of the local wellness policy and/or sustainability of a student wellness initiative were identified.EvaluationA 3 year analysis of the final report and follow-up survey of the school wellness mini grant program identified effective methods used to lead and carry out projects, mini-grant outcomes, and the implications for long-term support of the school wellness policy implementation in school districts in a rural state.Conclusions and ImplicationsThe distribution of funds through a competitive mini-grant program is an effective method for promoting student wellness programs in rural school districts. Supporting a part-time school wellness coordinator is a best practice to yield maximum impact. Use of funds to kick start a wellness initiative can also build long-term support if grassroots support is also strengthened. Farm to school programs are a growing area of interest for nutrition education and promotion in Montana schools. While long term access to funding can be a challenge, collective impact can be produced by collaborating with statewide and national partners to secure funds.FundingUSDA Team Nutrition Training Grant #CNTN-14-MT (C) ObjectiveTo provide a financial incentive to support the implementation of the federally mandated school wellness policy in Montana school districts. To learn effective methods and best practices that school districts utilize for building and sustaining a healthy school nutrition environment. To provide a financial incentive to support the implementation of the federally mandated school wellness policy in Montana school districts. To learn effective methods and best practices that school districts utilize for building and sustaining a healthy school nutrition environment. DescriptionBy analyzing data from the final reports and follow-up surveys from three cycles of the School Wellness in Action mini-grant program, a summary of wellness projects, leadership methods and specific outcomes was developed. Key factors, best practices, and implications for long-term implementation of the local wellness policy and/or sustainability of a student wellness initiative were identified. By analyzing data from the final reports and follow-up surveys from three cycles of the School Wellness in Action mini-grant program, a summary of wellness projects, leadership methods and specific outcomes was developed. Key factors, best practices, and implications for long-term implementation of the local wellness policy and/or sustainability of a student wellness initiative were identified. EvaluationA 3 year analysis of the final report and follow-up survey of the school wellness mini grant program identified effective methods used to lead and carry out projects, mini-grant outcomes, and the implications for long-term support of the school wellness policy implementation in school districts in a rural state. A 3 year analysis of the final report and follow-up survey of the school wellness mini grant program identified effective methods used to lead and carry out projects, mini-grant outcomes, and the implications for long-term support of the school wellness policy implementation in school districts in a rural state. Conclusions and ImplicationsThe distribution of funds through a competitive mini-grant program is an effective method for promoting student wellness programs in rural school districts. Supporting a part-time school wellness coordinator is a best practice to yield maximum impact. Use of funds to kick start a wellness initiative can also build long-term support if grassroots support is also strengthened. Farm to school programs are a growing area of interest for nutrition education and promotion in Montana schools. While long term access to funding can be a challenge, collective impact can be produced by collaborating with statewide and national partners to secure funds. The distribution of funds through a competitive mini-grant program is an effective method for promoting student wellness programs in rural school districts. Supporting a part-time school wellness coordinator is a best practice to yield maximum impact. Use of funds to kick start a wellness initiative can also build long-term support if grassroots support is also strengthened. Farm to school programs are a growing area of interest for nutrition education and promotion in Montana schools. While long term access to funding can be a challenge, collective impact can be produced by collaborating with statewide and national partners to secure funds.