2015 - 16 BLT Tool-Kit: General SNAP-Ed & BLT Information

A Training Guide for Participating FCS Agents

and BLT Assistants

Contributors to the BLT Tool-Kit

BLT State Office: Dr. Jenna Anding, Jon Perrott, Beti Baron, and Sylvia Flores BLT Regional Program Managers: Barbara Brown, Maria Stansell,

Renda Nelson, and Annie Tinsley

Better Living for Texans (BLT) Contact Information

BLT State Office in College Station Dr. Jenna Anding, Associate Department Head and Program Leader Jon Perrott, Program Coordinator Vacant, Business Coordinator III Sylvia Flores, Business Coordinator I Margarita Jones, Business Associate I Mailing address: Campus Mail Stop: 2251 TAMU College Station, TX 77843-2251 Phone: (979) 862-8935 FAX: (979) 862-6639

Physical address: 578 John Kimbrough Boulevard, Bldg. 1536, Room 104 College Station, TX 77843-2251

BLT Regional Program Managers and Office AssistantsNorth Region (covering districts 1, 2, and 3) Renda Nelson, Regional Program Manager

6500 Amarillo Boulevard, West Amarillo, TX 79106 Phone: 806-677-5600 Fax: 806-677-5644 East Region (covering districts 4, 5, and 8) Annie Tinsley, Regional Program Manager

17360 Coit Road Dallas, TX 75252-6502 Phone: 972-952-9235 Fax: 972-952-9680 South Region (covering districts 9, 11, and 12) Maria Stansell, Regional Program Manager

10345 State Hwy 44 Corpus Christi, TX 78406 Phone: 361-265-9203 Fax: 361-265-0278 West Region (covering districts 6, 7, and 10) Barbara Brown, Regional Program Manager Jeanette Martinez, Office Assistant

7887 US Hwy 87 N San Angelo, TX 76901-9714 Phone: 325-653-4576 Fax: 325-655-8086

For questions or clarification on content in the BLT ToolKit, contact your

Better Living for Texans Regional Program Manager or the BLT State Office.

The Issue

In Texas, 17% of households have incomes that are at or below 100% of the federal poverty level (FPL). An estimated one out of seven Texans receives benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps. This program helps eligible low-income families buy nutritious food to feed their families. Proper nutrition is important because diet quality has been linked to four of the ten leading causes of death. Research also suggests that the diets of low-income households, including those receiving SNAP benefits and those with children, often lack variety and are typically inadequate in fruits, vegetables, whole-grains, dairy products, and lean meat. Additionally the diets of low-income households tend to be low in fiber, vitamins A and E, folic acid, zinc, calcium, and iron and higher in total fat, saturated fat, and sodium than is currently recommended.

Stretching resources so families have food on the table also presents a challenge for many limited-resource audiences. Data from the 2011 Current Population Survey indicate that more than 18% of Texas households faced challenges in keeping food on the table at least once within a 12-month period (classified as food insecurity). The percentage of Texas households that experience food insecurity continues to be higher than the national average of about 15%.

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service’s Response

The Better Living for Texans (BLT) program is a cooperative endeavor among the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), and Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) of USDA. BLT was begun by Extension in 1995 and today includes 220 counties – every county in Texas that is served by an Extension county agent in family and consumer sciences.

A component of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, BLT provides educational programs to SNAP recipients, applicants, and other approved audiences to help improve their ability to plan and prepare nutritious meals, stretch food dollars, and prepare and store food safely. Incorporating the Walk Across Texas program into BLT provides an opportunity to help the target audience increase their level of physical activity.

BLT is delivered through a variety of teaching methods that reflect audience needs. Teaching methods include lesson series, single education events, one-to-one consultations, demonstrations, and tours. With the presence of BLT in almost every county in the state, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is poised to reach all areas of Texas, both rural and urban, and increase the likelihood of meeting the nutrition education needs of under-served Texans.

Results

During fiscal year 2013, county Extension agents reported a total of 1,106,907 educational contacts from adults and youth participating in BLT; reaching 370,000 individuals; 5,000 adults completed multi-session programs

A survey of 1,057 BLT adult graduates from across the state found that BLT participants made meaningful changes in the frequency that they practiced selected food resource management behaviors.

For example:

• The percentage of graduates who planned their meals “always” rose from 22% before BLT to 66% 30 days after the program ended.

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• More than 79% were shopping with a list “always” after the program ended, compared to 35% when the program began.

• Nearly 45% of the graduates reported that they “always” compared prices when shopping for food when the program began. However, 30 days after graduating, more than 80% were doing so.

Participants were also asked to estimate how much of their own money they were spending on groceries before and after the BLT program. On average, participants lowered their monthly out-of-pocket food expenses each month by almost $15, which if maintained and were not due to some other economic hardship, could lead to an annual savings of $180 per household. The percentage of respondents who ran out of food before the end of the month “always” or “sometimes” fell from 71% to 54% nearly a month after the program ended.

BLT has a history of high customer satisfaction. Results from the survey found that most participants (95%) rated BLT as either “excellent” or “good.” In addition, 92% of respondents indicated that participating in BLT was helping them to feed their families more nutritious meals.

Almost two-thirds (65%) of respondents identified BLT as their first exposure to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, suggesting that this program is enabling Extension to reach audiences that might otherwise not have the opportunity to benefit from Extension education programs.

For additional information visit: http//www.blt.tamu.edu

SNAP-Ed Assistance Program

SNAP offers nutrition assistance to millions of eligible, low-income individuals and families and provides economic benefits to communities. SNAP is the largest program in the domestic hunger safety net. The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) works with State agencies, nutrition educators, and neighborhood and faith-based organizations to ensure that those eligible for nutrition assistance can make informed decisions about applying for the program and can access benefits. FNS also works with State partners and the retail community to improve program administration and ensure program integrity.

For more information on SNAP visit http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap

2015 SNAP-Ed Guidance

The SNAP-Ed Guidance plan can be found online at http://snap.nal.usda.gov/national-snap-ed/snap-ed-plan-guidance-and-templates

Highlights of the guidance plan in relation to BLT:

1. Emphasis on behavior change with an emphasis on evaluation of SNAP-Ed interventions to demonstrate program impacts

2. SNAP-Ed plans must include only behaviorally focused, evidence-based nutrition education and obesity prevention interventions or projects that are consistent with FNS’ mission and the goal and focus of SNAP-Ed

3. States must include only evidence-based activities in reports to FNS

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4. SNAP-Ed programming in healthy weight management and obesity prevention for the low-income population be enhanced in SNAP-Ed plans

5. BLT Educators can work to educate and assist low-income community members on starting a community garden

6. States may use Geographic Information System (GIS) Mapping:

a. In rural or frontier areas, urban residential areas that are economically intermixed, and in certain island states and territories, there may be few or no census tracts with more than half of residents SNAP-Ed Guidance within 185% of the FPL. States have used GIS mapping to identify census designated places (CDPS), which are concentrations of a population that are recognized by name but are not legally incorporated as cities, towns, or other jurisdictions are defined by the state. One State compared the low-income population in the 10 largest CDPs to the overall State population to identify which

7. CDPs have the greatest percentage of low-income residents for SNAP-Ed programming

THE HEALTHY HUNGER-FREE KIDS ACT (2010)

1. The Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010 established a nutrition education and obesity prevention grant program that would allow for the use of funds for individual and group-based nutrition education, health promotion, and intervention strategies; comprehensive, multilevel interventions at multiple complementary organizational and institutional levels; and community and public health approaches to improve nutrition.

2. The SNAP-Ed Interim Final Rule published on April 5, 2013, which marked the official implementation of the nutrition education and obesity prevention grant program, which FNS will still call “SNAP-Ed”. Expanded focus on preventing obesity in the low-income population (e.g., SNAP recipients or those potentially eligible). SNAP-Ed continues to be a primary prevention program, the goal is to prevent overweight and obesity in the first place.

3. The overarching principles largely remain the same with a key focus on the following outcomes:

a. Make half your plate fruits and vegetables, at least half your grains whole grains, and switch to fat-free or low-fat milk products.

b. Increase physical activity and reduce time spent in sedentary behaviors as part of a healthy lifestyle; and

c. Emphasizes a life course approach; promotes calorie balance across childhood, adolescence, adulthood, pregnancy and breastfeeding, and older age

d. Other goals may come from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans

New to BLT for 2014 - 2015

Over the last two years, SNAP-Ed guidance has changed in a way that allows us more flexibility in our programming efforts. For example, add gardening and physical activity programs can now be included. This compliments the SNAP-Ed program focus, which is on changing/improving the following behaviors:

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• Make half your plate fruits and vegetables; at least half your grans whole grains; switch to fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products. MYPLATE

• Increase physical activity and reduce time spent in sedentary behaviors as part of a healthy lifestyle;

• Maintain appropriate calorie balance during each stage of life.

We are also able to address other behavioral outcomes that are consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (food safety). Keep in mind that the primary emphasis of SNAP-Ed is to help the target audience establish healthy eating habits and physically active lifestyles to promote health and prevent disease – including obesity.

How can we implement BLT in Counties?

BLT programs can be implemented in a variety of methods but should be behaviorally focused.

Currently, USDA recognizes three strategies that can be used to implement SNAP-Ed (BLT) programs:

Individual or Group-based nutrition education BLT Program Series

Comprehensive interventions at multiple organizational and institutional levels Establishing community gardens; teaching individuals and families how to garden (to increase access to fruits and vegetables)

Community and public health approaches Offering BLT in settings where 50% or more of the population is low-income.

Our Focus Areas for BLT for 2015 will be:

1. Increase fruit and vegetable intake 2. Increase physical activity 3. Improving access to fruits and vegetables (gardening) 4. Food Safety 5. Food Resource Management (due to high rates of food insecurity, we are able to continue

working in this area).

Emphasis will be getting adults graduated from a program series (which does include the 8-week Walk Across Texas program).

Coming this Fall to BLT – Walk and Talk (Walk Across Texas with emphasis on increasing fruit and vegetable intake) Walk and Talk is an opportunity for you, your co-workers, or you BLT Assistants to walk with BLT audiences who are enrolled in Walk Across Texas while talking about fruits and vegetables. During your walking session, we will have talking points that feature fruits and vegetables (and how to incorporate them in family meals). The goal of this program is to increase fruit and vegetable intake AND increase physical activity.

Over the next year we will be piloting some additional programs (Grow Eat Go, for example) to see (1) how they can work with BLT audiences and (2) provide good evaluation data that helps demonstrate the impact that BLT can make. Again, our program emphasis will be (1) increasing fruit and vegetable intake; (2) increasing physical activity; (3) improving access to fruits and vegetables; (4) improving food safety skills; and (5) improving food resource management.

BLT budgets: HHSC is changing the way that match is being handled which we hope will lead to an increase in our overall and county budgets. This is great news! However, because we don’t know

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what the final budget will be, we strongly suggest that your county select one or two of the program series on the following page to emphasize this coming year. That way, you can strategically plan how you will use your BLT funds and focus on getting strong outcomes. Our contract manager from HHSC has made it very clear that our emphasis should be on a program series (no single education events). Because we can include Walk Across Texas as a program series, this should help.

Using BLT funds for gardening supplies: BLT funds can be used to purchase soil, mulch, building supplies for community or school gardens (purchases must be reasonable and community gardens must be in low-income neighborhoods or waivered schools where BLT audiences have easy access to them). Community and school gardens are allowed BUT there must be education (a series that will allow us to show impacts) that goes along with the building and maintaining of the gardens.

With our ability to add gardening and physical activity more prominently within BLT, we hope that this helps illustrate that BLT is an Agency program that has the potential to involve FCS, Ag, and Youth Development.

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BLT Program Series for 2015

Curricula/Educational Programs Focus area Target

Audience Where located?

Back to Basics Food resource management and food safety Adults FCS Agent-only website.

Balance Food and Play

Increasing physical activity; reducing screen time; increasing fruit and vegetable intake; decreasing sweetened beverages

Youth (3rd-graders) FCS Agent-only website.

Don’t Get Bugged from Foodborne Illness Food safety Older adults FCS Agent-only website

Eat Smart, Live Strong (USDA) Increasing fruit and vegetable intake; Increasing physical activity Older Adults FCS Agent-only website

Junior Master Gardener Improving access to fruits and vegetables via gardening education. Youth http://jmgkids.us/

Step Up and Scale Down Increase fruit and vegetables; weight management; increase physical activity

Adults FCS Agent-only website.

Three Easy Bites Meal planning; snacking; fruit and increasing fruit and vegetable intake

Adults FCS Agent-only website.

Walk Across Texas Increasing physical activity All audiences FCS Agent-only website

Walk and Talk – COMING SOON!

Increasing physical activity – basically this is WAT but with added nutrition messages in a discussion format. Agents and/or Program Assistants can walk with their BLT participants and have discussions about topics in nutrition (centered on selecting, growing, and preparing fruits and vegetables)

All audiences

WAT is already available; we will be putting together a list of fruit and vegetable topics for discussion while walking. Stay tuned!

What’s on MyPlate? (formerly MyPlate Food Group program)

Increase fruit and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products. Adults FCS Agent-only website.

NOTE: Because of pending changes in food labeling requirements, we will not be offering Get the Facts in the 2015 fiscal year.

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Identifying BLT audiences

The SNAP-Ed Guiding Principles identify the target audience for SNAP-Ed as SNAP participants and low-income individuals eligible to receive SNAP or other means-tested Federal assistance program benefits. States should deliver SNAP-Ed in a way that maximizes the numbers of the SNAP target audience reached and the potential for behavior change among them.

Individuals readily identifiable as members of the target audience include: persons referred by the local SNAP office; persons reached through direct marketing to SNAP participants; parents ineligible for SNAP who receive SNAP benefits on behalf of their children; and SNAP participants in a SNAP Job Readiness Training Program. Persons participating in FDPIR also are eligible for SNAP-Ed.

SNAP-Ed providers may use the following measures in order to identify additional persons appropriate for the target audience:

1. Income-based - Persons eligible for other means-tested Federal assistance programs such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the WIC Program, or TANF. Persons typically not eligible for SNAP such as incarcerated persons, residents of nursing homes, boarders, or college/university students are ineligible for SNAP-Ed.

2. Location-based - Persons at food banks, food pantries, soup kitchens, public housing, and SNAP/TANF job readiness program sites, and other such sites qualify.

3. Persons at venues when it can be documented that the location/venue serves generally low-income persons where at least 50 percent of persons have grossincomes at or below 185 percent of poverty guidelines/thresholds. This would include, for example, persons residing or schools or childcare centers located in census tract areas or other defined areas where at least 50 percent of persons have gross incomes that are equal to or less than 185 percent of the poverty threshold or children in schools where at least 50 percent of children receive free and reduced priced meals.

4. Persons shopping in grocery stores when the store has been documented to redeem average monthly SNAP benefits of $50,000 or more or persons shopping in grocery stores located in census tracts where at least 50 percent of persons have gross incomes that are equal to or less than 185 percent of the poverty threshold. States may submit proposals to their respective Regional Office with alternate methods for defining grocery stores that serve the low-income target population as potentially eligible for SNAP-Ed activities. For example, in rural areas a particular store may not redeem a monthly average of $50,000 in SNAP-benefits but may be serving the majority of the SNAP low-income population or be the only grocery outlet in the community for the entire population, including the low-income population. A store may be able show average monthly SNAP redemptions that are significant compared to overall sales that are less than $50,000 or some other indication that the low- income population shops at that location.

See the Target Audience and Site Eligibility Criteria matrix on the next page. If you are unsure whether a site or agency meets the BLT target audience criteria or which category to list it, contact your BLT Regional Program Manager for assistance.

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Better Living for Texans Target Audience and Site Eligibility Criteria

Category 1 Category 2 Category 3 Other

Allowed Allowed Site Certification Form Justification Form

Certified Eligible:

Persons identified as receiving SNAP-Ed

benefits

Likely Eligible:

Families of students in schools that have 50%

of the student population eligible for

free and reduced lunches*

Families that participate in Head Start program

(and Even Start)

Families of children who participate in the

Summer Food Service Program

Families who participate in Women Infants and Children

(WIC) program

Families who participate in

Commodity Food Distribution site

programs

Identified grocery stores having $50,000 per month in food stamp

receipts*

Soup kitchens

Housing Authorities**

Potentially Eligible by Site/Location:

A site/location that serves low-income

persons. At least 50% of those persons should

have incomes at or below 185% of poverty

Example: Senior centers, private owned

housing units that accept Section 8

vouchers, recreation centers, churches, non-

profit agencies, agencies not identified

in category 2

The Site Certification Form must be

completed and signed by the agency BEFORE marketing or programs

are conducted. The forms are to be kept on file at the county office

for audit purposes.

Food insecurity data that can be used to

determine county-wide target audiences***

Justified Eligible by:

Site/Location

Site/Location where adequate justification determines that it is likely 50% or more

eligible persons will be at the location

Example: employees of a local business that

likely receive minimum wage, schools

surrounding the business are waivered, and the business sets in a waivered zip code

The Justification Form must be completed and

kept on file at the county office for audit

purposes.

*List provided at website: http://blt.tamu.edu/

** Public Housing Authority (PHA) Name, Address and Phone list at website: http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/pha/contacts/states/tx.cfm

Please note that PHAs are waivered; private owned housing units that accept Section 8 vouchers are subject to complete the Site Location Certification form.

***Feeding America, Map the Meal Gap food insecurity data (2012) with numbers and percentages of individuals and children in Texas counties at poverty varying levels: www.feedingamerica.org/mapthegap

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Better Living for Texans Supplemental Nutrition Education Program

Site Certification Form

The Better Living for Texans-Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program provides nutrition education assistance to food-stamp individuals/families and waivered audiences. This document certifies that the site/location listed below serves low-income individuals (at least 50% have gross income levels at or below 185% of poverty guidelines/thresholds).

Income Level Criteria Effective July 1, 2014- June 30, 2015

Household Size Total Income

No. of Household Members

Annual Income

Monthly Income

Weekly Income

1 $21,590 $1,800 $416 2 $29,101 $2,426 $560 3 $36,612 $3,051 $705 4 $44,123 $3,677 $849 5 $51,634 $4,303 $993 6 $59,145 $4,929 $1,138 7 $66,656 $5,555 $1,282 8 $74,167 $6,181 $1,427

For Each Additional Household Member, Add

+$7,511 +$626 +$145

Source: http://www.squaremeals.org/Publications/IncomeEligibilityGuidelines.aspx

Site Location:

Address:

City/Zip:

Phone: Fax:

________________________________________________ Authorized Signature Date

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

The Better Living for Texans and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides nutrition assistance to people with low income. It can help you buy nutritious foods for a better diet.

Educational programs of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status.

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Better Living for Texans Supplemental Nutrition Education Program

Justification Form

Category (OTHER) – Site/Location where adequate justification determines that it is likely that 50% or more eligible will be at the locations

Site/Location: _______________________________________ Phone: _________________

Address: ____________________________________ City/Zip: _______________

Justification:

Evaluation Series:

Check all that apply:

Business or site located where it is likely that the majority of employees meet and/or serve low-income persons where at least 50% of the persons have gross incomes at or below 185% of the poverty level.

Business where it can be determined that the majority of employees have children that attend waivered schools (all schools in county or community are waivered)

Library or other site that promotes events where it is likely that the audience will be waivered; example parents of students that attend waivered schools

Other – describe:

Other – describe:

Agent County Date

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

The Better Living for Texans and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides nutrition assistance to people with low income. It can help you buy nutritious foods for a better diet.

Educational programs of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status.

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Better Living for Texans The Supplemental Nutrition Education Program (SNAP-Ed), formerly known as the Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program is part of the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service. Texas AgriLife Extension Service, through the Better Living for Texans program, teaches basic nutrition, food safety, food resource management, and the importance of physical exercise. Participant Information Questionnaire We at The Better Living for Texans program are interested in knowing general information about the people who take part in our program. Please tell us about yourself and your household. This information will help us to serve you better. Thanks for your help. We look forward to serving you! Please tell us about yourself and your household. Your name: Your address: City: Zip code: Your phone number: How many people (including yourself) live in your household? How many people in your household are 18 years of age or younger? What is your age? Are you male or female? ❑Male ❑Female How do you identify your race or ethnic background? Please check (✓) the appropriate box: ❑White ❑Black ❑Hispanic ❑Native American ❑Asian/Pacific Islander ❑Other (please identify) Do you or anyone in your household use the following programs? Place a check (✓) by all that apply: ❑SNAP/Food stamps ❑Free school meals ❑Reduced school meals ❑Head Start ❑Commodity foods ❑Summer Food Service Program ❑TANF ❑WIC ❑Other special programs (please list) THANK YOU! For office use only: Eligible by: Participation dates:

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

The Better Living for Texans and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides nutrition assistance to people with low income. It can help you buy nutritious foods for a better diet.

Educational programs of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status.

Last updated: November 2014

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Better Living for Texans

Mejor Vida para los Tejanos – Educación sobre la Nutrición del Programa de Estampillas para Comida Un proyecto conjunto de la Extensión Cooperativa de Texas, Comision de Salud y Servicios Humanos de Texas y los Servicios de Alimentos y Nutrición del USDA, con financiamiento del programa nacional de Estampillas para Comida del Departamento de Agricultura de Estados Unidos. Cuestionario de información sobre el participante El programa Mejor Vida para los Tejanos da clases básicas sobre la nutrición, la seguridad de los alimentos y la administración de los recursos para alimentos. Nos interesa tener información general sobre las personas que participan en este programa. A continuación, por favor, dé información suya y de su unidad familiar. ¡Gracias por ayudarnos! ¡Será un placer servirle!

Por favor, dé información suya y de su unidad familiar. Nombre: Dirección: Ciudad: ZIP: Número de teléfono: ¿Cuántas personas (contándose usted) forman parte de su unidad familiar? ¿Cuántas personas de su unidad familiar tienen 18 años o menos? ¿Cuántos años tiene usted? Años ¿Es usted hombre o mujer? ❑Hombre ❑Mujer ¿Cómo identifica su raza o grupo étnico? Marque con una palomita (9) la respuesta apropiada: �❑ Blanco ❑Negro � ❑Hispano ❑Nativo americano �❑Asiático o de las islas del Pacífico ❑Otro (por favor, identifíquelo) ¿Participa usted u otra persona de su unidad familiar en los siguientes programas? Marque con una palomita (9) los programas en los que participa usted u otra persona de su unidad familiar. ❑Estampillas para comida � ❑Comidas gratis en la escuela ❑Comidas a precio reducido en la escuela � ❑Programa Head Start ❑Programa de Servicio de Comidas de Verano � ❑Alimentos básicos ❑Medicaid � ❑TANF ❑Tarjeta Lone Star � ❑Programa para Mujeres, Bebés y Niños (WIC) ❑Otros programas especiales (por favor, anótelos) ¡GRACIAS! Sólo para el uso de la oficina: Eligible by: Participation dates:

USDA es un proveedor y empleador que ofrece oportunidad igual para todos.

El Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP en inglés) ofrece asistencia relacionada con la nutrición para gente con recursos limitados. Estos beneficios le pueden ayudar a comprar comida nutritiva para una mejor dieta.

Educational programs of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status.

Last updated: November 2014

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Better Living for Texans (BLT) Program Guidance and Basic Allowable/Unallowable Purchases

Adapted from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) Guidance

Before making a BLT purchase, a P.O. request must be submitted and a number received! For questions, contact your BLT Regional Program Manager or the BLT State Office.

Food Supplies • Providing nutrition education and obesity prevention activities to SNAP participants and low-income

individuals eligible for other means-tested Federal programs; • Recipes and food samples should be relevant to the lesson, low cost, with minimum preparation instructions;

no more than two recipes per lesson; see FCS Agent website for BLT/EFNEP and/or SNAP-Ed website for appropriate recipes

• FNS and HHSC guidelines restrict us to serve sample portions only; average cost of $2.50/person per sample • Allowable: Ingredients that have a nutritional value (i.e.: tea, coffee, carbonated colas, etc. are not allowable)

Physical Activity • Making physical activity education and promotion coupled with nutrition education available to the SNAP-Ed

audience in a variety of economical ways; may include provision of advice, demonstrations (instructional in nature), nutrition education integrated into ongoing physical activity sessions, and community resource information (e.g.: a free local fitness event) to encourage the SNAP-Ed population to engage in regular physical activities

• Allowable: May include inexpensive physical activity equipment such as stability balls, hand weights, jump ropes, hula hoops, etc. to use in ongoing physical activity in conjunction with nutrition education provided to the low-income target audience

Gardening Supplies (See page after • Gardening activities that lead to the economical production and consumption of healthy and fresh food; to

assist in developing school and community gardening projects; provision of time for garden maintenance – an opportunity for community participation

• Allowable: Purchase of seeds, plants, small gardening tools, and supplies such as fertilizer, potting soil, containers and supplies for building a garden space; educational supplies and curricula

Nutrition Education Reinforcement Materials • Program reinforcement materials (incentive items) for nutrition education should:

o Target SNAP audiences o Have clear relevant and useful connection to particular FNS/SNAP nutrition education or obesity

prevention messages; contain an educational message or have a use that is directly relevant to reinforce nutrition education and obesity prevention messages

o Have a value as nutrition education and obesity prevention aids o Be offered only after weighing and assessing other relative needs and cost effectiveness o Be of nominal value of $4.00 or less per item (incentive item) and display USDA/FNS credit

statements/non-discrimination statements o Not be used solely for staff morale boosters

Equipment and Office Supplies • May purchase equipment to transport supplies to classes, office supplies as needed for printing class

handouts, marketing materials and newsletters, and kitchen equipment; FNS restrictions do not allow "stock piling" – there are exceptions

• Allowable: See Allowable / Unallowable / Maybe listing on next page for more details Postage

There are three methods to purchase postage stamps, primarily used to mail BLT newsletters: 1. Personal reimbursement 2. Pre-paid check cut to the Post Master – takes about 2 weeks for the check to be cut 3. Charge to a vendor that sells stamps (e.g., HEB and some local grocery stores)

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Better Living for Texans Allowable / Unallowable / Maybe Purchase List

Below is a list of specific items that are allowable, unallowable, or potentially allowable with adequate, detailed justification:

Allowable Unallowable Maybe w/ Justification Pots & Pans Dish Racks Artificial Sweeteners Baking Pans Air Freshener Executive Chairs Cookie Sheets Candles Desks Cutting Board Furniture Polish File Cabinets (large) Spatulas** Phones Calculators Blenders Zip Drives Binding Machines Hand Mixers Desk Lamps Small Laminators Carts Chair Mats Tabletop Burners Folding Chairs Party Napkins Office Furniture Tables 6’-8’ Picture/Certificate Frames Digital Cameras Pot Holders** Disposable Cameras NASCO Items Cloth/Hand Towels** Trash Cans NCES Items Ice Chests Rugs SAX Items Serving Spoons** Coffee/Tea Health Edco Items Cutting Knives** Carbonated Drinks/Colas Computer Repairs Paper Cups Lighter Fluids Newspaper Ads (for job openings) Paper Plates Charcoal Computer Software Small File Cabinet (2 drawers) Fruit Trays Some “junk food” – single use ONLY Most Nutritious Food Supplies Vegetable Trays Most Office Supplies Meat Trays Magnets (w/nutritional message)** Cheese Trays Measuring Spoons** Sandwich Trays Measuring Cups** Newsletter subscriptions Small gardening tools Celebratory items or morale Seeds/plant starts boosters Fertilizer/potting soil Cost of foods provided as groceries or supplemental

foods Costs of foods that are

serving as refreshment ** Examples of educational reinforcement materials that can be purchased for $4.00 or less per person per session with a nutritional related message are allowed. Educational reinforcement materials exceeding $4.00 and/or items with no related nutrition message are not allowable.

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SNAP-Ed / Better Living for Texans / Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Civil Rights, Non-discrimination, Credit, and Program Statements

Educational reinforcement materials and incentive items must display the USDA/SNAP Civil Rights and Credit statements. The AgriLife Extension Program Statement should also be included on printed materials. (For questions, contact your BLT Regional Program Manager or the BLT State Office.)

SNAP-Ed Civil Rights/Non-discrimination Statement: Additions, edits, or deletions to the Civil Rights statement are not allowed. There are no print size requirements when the full Civil Rights statements are used. If the material is too small to permit the full statement to be included, the material at a minimum should include the following statement:

English: “USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.”

Spanish: “USDA es un proveedor y empleador que ofrece oportunidad igual para todos.”

Credit Statement – Should be provided to SNAP as a funding source on newly developed and reprinted materials. FNS recommend the following statements:

English: “This material was funded by USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program -- SNAP.”

Spanish: “Este material se desarrolló con fondos proporcionados por el Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP en inglés) del Departamento de Agricultura de los EE.UU. (USDA siglas en inglés).”

SNAP/BLT Abridged Non-discrimination Statement – Materials developed or reprinted with SNAP-Ed funds shall include the following non-discrimination statement:

English: “The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides nutrition assistance to people with low income. It can help you buy nutritious foods for a better diet. To find out more, contact [enter your local office or toll-free number, or other useful information to help identify how to get services].”

Spanish: “El Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP en inglés) ofrece asistencia relacionada con la nutrición para gente con recursos limitados. Estos beneficios le pueden ayudar a comprar comida nutritiva para una mejor dieta. Para obtener más información, comuníquese con la oficina de servicios sociales de su condado.”

AgriLife Extension Program Statement: “Educational programs of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status.”

BLT Non-discrimination Statement (Complete Statement)

English: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal and, where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or if all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.) If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested

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in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at program.intake@usda.gov. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech disabilities and wish to file either an EEO or program complaint please contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339 or (800) 845-6136 (in Spanish). Persons with disabilities who wish to file a program complaint, please see information above on how to contact us by mail directly or by email. If you require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) please contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. For SNAP publications, add the following paragraph: For any other information dealing with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) issues, persons should either contact the USDA SNAP Hotline Number at (800) 221-5689, which is also in Spanish or call the State Information/Hotline Numbers (click the link for a listing of hotline numbers by State).

Spanish: El Departamento de Agricultura de los Estados Unidos (por sus siglas en inglés “USDA”) prohíbe la discriminación contra sus clientes, empleados, y solicitantes de empleo a base de raza, color, origen nacional, edad, discapacidad, sexo, identidad de género, religión, represalias y, según corresponda, convicciones políticas, estado civil, estado familiar o paternal, orientación sexual, o si los ingresos de una persona provienen en su totalidad o en parte de un programa de asistencia pública, o información genética protegida de empleo o de cualquier programa o actividad realizada o financiada por el Departamento. (No todos los criterios prohibidos se aplicarán a todos los programas y/o actividades laborales). Si desea presentar una queja por discriminación del programa de Derechos Civiles, complete el USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (formulario de quejas por discriminación del programa del USDA), que puede encontrar en internet en http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, o en cualquier oficina del USDA, o llame al (866) 632-9992 para solicitar el formulario. También puede escribir una carta con toda la información solicitada en el formulario. Envíenos su formulario de queja completo o carta por correo postal a U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, por fax al (202) 690-7442 o por correo electrónico a program.intake@usda.gov. Las personas sordas, con dificultades auditivas, o con discapacidad del habla que deseen presentar sea una queja de EEO (Igualdad de Oportunidades en el Empleo) o del programa, por favor contacte al USDA por medio del Federal Relay Service (Servicio federal de transmisión) al (800) 877-8339 o (800) 845-6136 (en español). Las personas con discapacidades que deseen presentar una queja del programa, por favor vea la información anterior acerca de cómo contactarnos directamente por correo postal o por correo electrónico. Si necesita medios alternativos de comunicación para obtener información acerca del programa (Braille, caracteres grandes, cinta de audio, etc.) por favor contacte al Centro TARGET del USDA al (202) 720-2600 (voz y TDD). El USDA es un proveedor y empleador que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades. Para publicaciones del SNAP, agregue el siguiente párrafo: Para obtener más información acerca de cuestiones del programa SNAP, las personas deben contactar al número de línea directa del USDA SNAP al (800) 221-5689, que también está en español o llame a State Information/Hotline Numbers (dé clic en el enlace para obtener un listado de números de línea directa por estado); lo puede encontrar en internet en http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/contact_info/hotlines.htm.

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BLT Participation Level Chart

BLT participation levels remain the same for 2015, ranging from Basic to Platinum

level counties; however, in 2016, participation levels change as follows:

BLT Program Series Emphasis for 2016

BLT Programs should focus on a series:

Walk Across Texas

Back to Basics (revised edition)

Learn, Grow, Eat, Go

Single Education Events are allowed but should be focused on the behavioral outcomes.

Level Program Assistant Total Match Hrs. Required

Amount of funds available

1 No 75 $1,200

2 No 150 $1,750

3 1 300 $9,500

4 2 500 $12,500

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What Counts as Match

• Program planning and implementation

• Supervision of BLT Assistants

• Evaluation (data entry by County Staff or Volunteers)

Note: Office conferences and trainings will no longer count as match.

Minimum Expectations for BLT Adult Graduates

• 250 full-time assistant (each)

• 125 for a part-time assistant

A graduate is defined as an individual who completes all four sessions in Back to Basics (revised version) OR completes the 8-week Walk Across Texas series. While participants in Walk Across Texas can walk on their own, they should at least attend 6 of the 8 talking sessions with the BLT Assistant.

Note: Regional Program Leaders may also set goals for counties that do not have a BLT Program Assistant.

Level of participation should be based on number of SNAP recipients and those eligible for SNAP benefits. Consult Regional Program Leader to determine appropriate level of participation.

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