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In 2014, California became the first state to authorize an out-of-school-time (OST) health promotion program. The Distinguished After School Health (DASH) program awards a 2-year certificate to OST programs that implement its nutrition and physical activity standards. RTI is partnering with the California Department of Education (CDE) and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation to evaluate DASH’s reach and impact. Specific aims of this study are to: 1) obtain quantitative survey data on reach and impact, comparing providers that applied for DASH certification with eligible non-applicants on measures of reach, benefits, and barriers to certification, implementation of DASH nutrition practices, and training and technical assistance needs; and 2) obtain qualitative data on applicant experiences with DASH on impact and to inform policy growth and maintenance. Quantitative data will be collected using an online survey. Qualitative data will be gathered through in-depth interviews with DASH applicants and document reviews to assess the validity of applicant claims. Four main outcome measures will be examined: 1) nutrition practices consistent with DASH standards; 2) perceived benefits to certification; 3) experience participating in nutrition capacity-building efforts; and 4) nutrition training and technical assistance needs.
Start Date: February 2017
ID #: 74372
Principal Investigator: Jean Wiecha, PhD, MS
Organization: Research Triangle Institute
Funding Round: Round 10
Age Groups: Adolescents (grades 9 to 12), Elementary-age children (grades K to 5), Young adolescents (grades 6 to 8)
Race/Ethnicity: African American or Black, American Indian, Asian, Latino(a) or Hispanic, Multi-racial/ethnic, White
State: California
Keywords: Fruits and vegetables, Nutrition standards, Out-of-School Time, Snacks, Sugar-sweetened beverages
Resource Type: Grant Summary
Focus Area: School & After School
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