Mixed Methods Assessment of Partnerships and Coalitions in SNAP Education (SNAP-Ed)

Promoting healthy eating and active lifestyles among populations with limited resources requires strong partnerships with various types of community agencies and organizations. The purpose of this study was to assess how partnerships and coalitions contribute to broad community-wide changes to support healthy eating, physical activity, food access, and obesity prevention in Illinois communities, and how these partnerships support the goals and outcomes of Illinois Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed). The evaluation focused on partners' level of engagement and commitment to such initiatives, their perceived level of influence, current and future plans, and ability to drive collective impact. A mixed-methods study design included an online survey (n = 97) and key informant interviews with partners (n = 9). Findings indicate that partners have strong collaboration with SNAP-Ed and this relationship is valued by a variety of organizations who have mutual interests and commitment to healthy eating, physical activity, food access, and obesity prevention. In addition, organizations who partnered with SNAP-Ed reported commitment to joint activities and agreed their organizations can play a role in improving community health. They also believed they can influence policies and actions of community-based efforts but acknowledged they were not fully aware of what others were doing in the community. To this end, SNAP-Ed can fill an important role connecting partners and disparate community efforts to increase overall community capacity and strengthen obesity prevention efforts for collective impact.