A Monitoring and Evaluation Plan and Research Strategies for Wholesome Wave Georgia Open Access
Pierce, Sarah Jane (2016)
Abstract
Background: Georgia has a high rate of food insecurity and an increasing prevalence of diet-related diseases, with nearly 1.8 million Georgians having limited access to affordable, nutritious food. Wholesome Wave Georgia (WWG) aims to increase access to fresh, local food to all Georgians through its nutrition incentive programs and other supporting programs. Primary goals of WWG are to decrease food insecurity and to decrease the prevalence of diet-related diseases. WWG seeks to monitor and evaluate its programs and conduct research to improve program processes, demonstrate impact, and secure and validate funding.
Methods: The purpose of this thesis was to examine program indicators and methods commonly utilized in data collection and analysis for farmers markets and nutrition incentive programs, and to identify areas of research, monitoring, and evaluation to which Wholesome Wave Georgia can contribute, in order to improve programs and processes, and demonstrate impact. A logic model and a monitoring and evaluation framework were developed to standardize and improve future monitoring and evaluation efforts. Challenges to implementing the framework are discussed and recommendations are made for future research endeavors.
Results: The logic model development identified several indicators necessary for demonstrating program impacts that are not currently being monitored, and no plan exists to collect this data. A review of the literature revealed gaps in the current body of research and common indicators and measurement tools used by programs similar to WWG programs. WWG is already collecting data for and monitoring many of these indicators and utilizing tools like surveys and focus groups in program evaluations. Research designs for rigorous conduction of effective studies were also identified and can be implemented in future research.
Conclusions: Recommendations were made to use the developed monitoring and evaluation framework for current and future programs, including indicators selected based on anticipated program impacts and formative research. Recommendations were also made for framework implementation prioritization and for future research collaborations. This thesis serves as a resource for WWG as it plans future research endeavors, providing an evidence base for selecting indicators and outcomes to measure and analyze.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Introduction
Problem Statement
Wholesome Wave Georgia Background
Purpose Statement
Research Question
Significance Statement
Chapter 2
Literature Review
Poverty and Food Security in the United States and Georgia
Federal Assistance Programs
Food Security and Diet-related Illness Association
Fruits and Vegetable Consumption Associated with Positive Health Outcomes
Nutrition Incentives
Nutrition Education
Farmers' Markets
Collecting, Analyzing, and Reporting Data
Wholesome Wave Georgia Programs
Chapter 3
Report to Wholesome Wave Georgia
Executive Summary
Background and Aims
Methods
Supporting Evidence
Connecting Program Inputs to Outcomes
Wholesome Wave Georgia Monitoring and Evaluations
Wholesome Wave Georgia Logic Model
Recommendations
Chapter 4
Discussion
Recommendations
Conclusions
References
Appendices
Appendix 1: Wholesome Wave Georgia Logic Model
Appendix 2: Monitoring and Evaluation Plan for SNAP Enrollment Program
Appendix 3: CONSORT Statement Framework
Appendix 4: TREND Statement Framework
About this Master's Thesis
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