Three to Know about University of IL Extension

Three to Know

Monthly Partner Spotlight

EPEL shares about organizations that offers resources to community partners, or serves children and families in our community. All information has been provided by the organization itself and is responsible for the accuracy of the content. If you would like your organization to be a part of Three to Know email me here. Each month an organization is featured so we can make connections, align services, and work strategically to serve more effectively.

Tell us about your organization

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) is nutrition education that is available to SNAP eligible recipients and other limited-resource individuals and families. We focus on nutrition education and obesity prevention in an interactive, evidence-based, and behavior-change focused format. Along with direct education, SNAP-Ed provides assistance to agencies and programs serving limited-resource individuals and families. We work with food pantries, K-12 schools, adult and youth community programs, and early childcare centers.

Technical assistance can be provided for policy, systems and environmental level changes, collectively called “PSE”.

PSE initiatives do not work directly with the target population, but rather, at an organization/community level and focus on nutrition promotion and physical activity.

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How does the work you do impact our youngest learners birth to 5 years old?

SNAP-Ed provides direct education at Early Childcare Centers, such as Head Start and Early Head Start. Our Community Workers use evidence based curriculum to teach children about healthy eating and being active using engaging lessons and activities. They also provide education to the parents so the lessons provided in the classroom can be carried out at home.

Our Unit Educator and Program Coordinator work together to create organization changes in Early Childshood Centers. Using the NAPSACC Assessment, the policies, practices and environment of an EC Center is assessed for strengths and opportunities for improvement.

Technical assistance is provided to make changes that encourage healthy behaviors. Together, direct education and organization level changes in Early Childcare help provide our youth with a healthier start in life.

Something you might not know about our agency...

U of I Extension SNAP-Ed is comprised of teams that cover every part of the state. These teams share the same focus areas to guide interventions, one of which is Early Childhood. Other focus areas include Community Adults and Youth, K-12 Schools, Emergency Food and Healthy Food Retail.

To Contact: Nayaab Sattar, Extension Educator