P189 The Readiness of Health Clinics to Partner with the SNAP-Ed Program on Nutrition Support Implementation

Abstract

Background The national SNAP-Ed Evaluation Framework encourages program implementers to assess the readiness of potential partner sites as a short-term outcome. The readiness of health clinics to partner with the program is an understudied area, though, this setting on the surface seems ripe for partnership based on the alignment of clinic and SNAP-Ed priorities and efforts to prevent chronic diet-related disease. Objective This study assessed the readiness of clinics in South Carolina to implement evidenced-based nutrition support strategies in partnership with the SNAP-Ed program. Study Design, Settings, Participants Clinics across the state were sent an interest flyer to participate in a readiness assessment, resulting in a positive response from 15 clinics. An interview guide was created based on the readiness framework: R (readiness) = M (motivation) C2 (general and innovation-specific capacities) that explored overall clinic readiness to partner with the SNAP-Ed program and the readiness to implement 12 nutrition support strategies conductive to a clinic setting. Measurable Outcome/Analysis Interview transcripts were analyzed based on the R = MC2 framework to identify the readiness of health clinics to partner with the SNAP-Ed program on nutrition support implementation, in general, and to implement the 12 nutrition support strategies, specifically. Capacity-building needs were also captured. Results All clinics demonstrated a high level of motivation and capacity to partner with the SNAP-Ed program (e.g., strong staff and leadership buy-in; mission and values alignment). Clinics were most interested in screening patients for food insecurity and referring them to resources for nutrition (n = 14) and providing produce prescriptions (n = 14). The main capacity-building needs identified included finding community partners for referrals and funding for providing coupons with produce prescriptions. Conclusion Health clinics could serve as an untapped setting for SNAP-Ed programming nationally to reach medically disadvantaged populations. Implementers should work to identify ready clinics and help them build capacity for nutrition support implementation. Funding USDA.