Start Date: January 2016

ID #: CAS032

Organization: RTI International

Project Lead: Jean Wiecha, PhD

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The purpose of this project is to examine the use of state policy approaches to promote the implementation of the National AfterSchool Association Healthy Eating and Physical Activity (NAA HEPA) standards. The research team will build a conceptual framework, elicit expert opinion on state policy approaches, analyze real-world experiences using case studies in two states, and synthesize the findings and develop policy recommendations. Characteristics of successful policy interventions will be identified and mapped alongside the NAA HEPA standards. This will be used to inform the development of an interview guide that will be used to gather experts’ opinions of best models of state policy, perceived benefits and potential unintended consequences, and ideas for adapting the NAA HEPA standards for state policy. The team will also gather information to compare the role of state policy in out-of-school time with its role in early care and education. They will use this information to develop recommendations for facilitating the translation of NAA HEPA standards into state policy and summarize these findings in a whitepaper.

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