A Monitoring and Evaluation Plan and Research Strategies for Wholesome Wave Georgia Público

Pierce, Sarah Jane (2016)

Permanent URL: https://etd.library.emory.edu/concern/etds/m900nt616?locale=pt-BR
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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

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