Extension EFNEP Program Reports Positive Impact On Alabama Families

The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) is one of Extension's most successful and best-documented programs.

It is a grass-roots effort that begins on the level of the family and uses the resources the family has available, says Dr. Jo Turner, Extension program specialist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. Adjustments are made to meet the needs of the individual family.

EFNEP's goal is to provide educational programs aimed at increasing the number of healthy, well-nourished children, youth and families and to decrease the number of low birthweight babies born to Alabama's low income women.

Due to level funding on the federal level, the number of participating counties in Alabama has been reduced over the years, says Turner. As of March 1998, the adult phase of the program is operating in 40 counties and the youth phase is in six.

In 1998, 105 EFNEP program assistants taught lessons to 6,482 adults. Of this number 1,581 were pregnant teens, 2006 were pregnant adults, 267 were breastfeeding mothers and the remainder were families with small children. The 4-H DOT program reached more than 2,700 teens through 229 organized clubs, 64 special interest groups and 52 school enrichment programs.

Records show a 56 percent graduation rate in EFNEP programs which is excellent for the audience served. Most EFNEP programs have 12-18 lessons. Food recalls show 91.3 percent of participants made positive changes in their diets -- increasing servings of fruits, vegetables, calcium and dairy products consumed.

Changes in behavior were reported as follows:

• 722 participants improved food safety practices
• 1041 participants improved in food resource management and shopping practices.
• 1066 participants showed improvement in nutrition practices such as decreasing salt, making healthy food choices, reading labels, and providing breakfast for children.

Today's Mom and Mom's Helper program results show 26.1 percent of participants breast-fed; average birthweight was 7 pounds and 2 ounces; and average weight gain for pregnant participants was 31 pounds.

More than 1,200 volunteers assisted supervising EFNEP agents in reaching limited resource families. EFNEP program assistants worked with 59 WIC offices and 41 Food Stamp offices to extend the EFNEP outreach.

In addition to organized lessons, EFNEP reached many others through mall exhibits, health fairs, special holiday and county activities.

Federal funding provides almost all EFNEP funds. In 1998, the program received more than $1.9 million. Approximately $5,000 was contributed at local levels to enhance EFNEP programs. The cost of the program was $77 for each family member reached or $208 for each participant reached.