ProgramPlanningProject

Background/rationale
WehavechosenSavannah,GAasthelocationforourcommunitynutritionintervention
program.Thereiscurrentlyacommunitywellnessprograminplaceforthelowincome
populationofSavannah.MercerUniversitySchoolofMedicine,ForsythFarmersMarket,and
localchefshavepartneredtodeliverwellnessscreenings,cookingclasses,andnutrition
education.Afterdoingsomeresearch,itseemsthatthenutritioncomponentoftheprogram
needsimprovement.MedicalstudentsfromMercerofferwellnessscreeningseachSaturdayat
theForsythFarmersMarket.Participantsaregiventheresultsoftheirscreenandsentontheir
way.Thiswouldbeaprimeopportunitytooffernutritioneducationhandoutsspecificto
individualscreeningresults.Themeanincomeof20.9%offamiliesinSavannahfallsbelowthe
povertylevel.Withthatbeingsaid,thereare57,310householdsinSavannah,and9,265ofthose
householdsreceivefoodstamps(USCensusBureau).
NeedsAssessment
ThecommunityforthisassessmentisSavannah,Georgia.Savannahattractsmany
visitorseachyearduetoitsrichhistoryastheoldesttowninGeorgia.EventhoughSavannahis
apopularvacationspot,itisalsothehubformanypovertystrickenindividualsandfamilies.The
targetpopulationforthisassessmentislowincomeSavannahresidents,specificallythose
receivingSNAPbenefits.
Thepurposeofthisassessmentistoobtaininformationaboutthelowincomepopulation
ofSavannahandidentifyanynutritionrelatedknowledgedeficitspresent.Theneedsassessment
willhelpdetermineifprogramsalreadyinplaceinthecityarebeingfullyutilizedandare

adequatetobridgeanynutritionrelatedgaps.Theoverallgoalsofthecommunityneeds
assessmentwillbemetbyfourobjectives.
AssessthepercentageofSavannah,GeorgiaspopulationthatisreceivingSNAP
benefits.
Assessthenumberofindividualsdiagnosedwithobesity,hypertension,andtype2
diabetesinSavannah,Georgia,specificallyidentifythenumberoftheseindividuals
whoseincomefallsbelowthepovertyline.
Identifyservicesalreadyinplacetomeetthenutritionalneedsofthelowincome
populationofSavannah.
Assesstheuseofnutritionservicescurrentlyavailabletothelowincomepopulationof
Savannah.
Plandetails
Theoverarchinggoalofthisprogramistodecreasethenutritionrelatedknowledge
deficitofthelowincomepopulationofSavannah,GA.Therearethreeobjectivestomeetthis
goalfortheimprovedprogram.
ExpandonthecurrentSavannah/ChathamCountyCulinaryMedicineProgram,andclose
thegapbetweenhealthscreeningresultsandthedeliveranceofnutritioneducationto
lowerincomeresidentswithintheSavannah/ChathamCountyarea.
IncreasetheamountofresourcesfortheSavannah/ChathamCountyWellnessprogram
bydevelopingnutritioneducationhandoutsforprogramparticipants.
IncreasepublicawarenessoftheSavannah/ChathamCountyCulinaryMedicineProgram
anditsservices,specificallyinformingthoseeligibleforSNAPbenefitsthattheamount

oftheirbenefitsaredoubledwhenshoppingattheForsythFarmersMarketandFarm
Truck912.
Theprimarymethodsforachievingthegoalsandobjectivesoftheenhancedwellness
programincludethecreationofnutritioneducationhandouts,facilitationofbrief,individualized
nutritioneducationsessions,andprogrammarketing.Initially,anRDNwouldbehiredto
facilitatetheprogramenhancement.Next,aneedsassessmentwouldbeperformedtodetermine
exactlywhichtypesofnutritioneducationmaterialswouldbeofmostbenefittothetarget
population.Ameetingwouldbeconductedwithallindividualscurrentlyinvolvedinthe
Savannah/ChathamCountyCulinaryMedicineProgramsothattheideafortheenhanced
programmaybepresented.ThehiredRDNwoulddevelopallofthenutritioneducationmaterial
andpresentthemataprogrammeetingforapproval.VolunteersfromMercerUniversitySchool
ofMedicinewouldberecruitedandtrainedbytheRDN.TheRDNwouldtrainvolunteersto
delivernutritioneducationtoclientsbasedonthecreatedhandouts/materials.Formarketing,the
RDNwouldcreateflyersadvertisingtheprogramatvariouslocationsinSavannah.Asaresult,
clientswillbegiventheopportunitytopickuptakeawaymaterialsafterhealthscreeningsand
visitingtheFarmTruck912.


EnhancedCulinaryMedicineProjectTimeline
BeforeInitiation

InterviewRDNforhourlyposition

Reachouttolocalbusinessesandcommunityorganizationsfor
support

MonthOne

Performneedsassessmenttodeterminewhichkindsofnutrition
educationmaterialswouldbeofmostbenefit

Meetingswithindividualscurrentlyinvolvedinthe
Savannah/ChathamCountyCulinaryMedicineProgram

MonthTwo

Begindevelopingthefirstdraftofthenutritioneducation
materials

Attendmeetingwithcommunityleaderstogaintheirsupportof
theprogram

RecruitvolunteersatMercerUniversitySchoolofMedicine

MonthThree

Presentthedraftsofthenutritioneducationmaterialsatmeeting
withindividualscurrentlyinvolvedwithprogram

Createadvertisementflyerstopostatvariouslocationsaround
Savannah

MonthFourSix

Finalizenutritioneducationmaterials

Solidifystudentvolunteers

Trainstudentvolunteersonhowtodelivernutritionrelated
advicebasedonthehandouts

MonthSevenTwelve

Conductformativeevaluation

Carryoutfinalsummativeevaluationatthecloseofthetwelfth
month

LogicModel
NutritionRelatedKnowledgeDeficitinLowIncomePopulationinSavannah,GA
GroupMembers:
DenielleSaittaandSusannahBrewton
Date:
42916

Situation
TheForsythFarmersMarkethaspartneredwithlocalchefsandstudentsfromMercerUniversitySchoolofMedicine.Currently,
healthscreeningsandcookingdemonstrationsaretakingplace.Therearenonutritionrelatedhandoutsforparticipantstotake
awayafterhealthscreeningandcookingdemonstrations.ThereshouldbenutritionhandoutsandanRDNoratrainedvolunteerto
answerquestionsonanindividualizedbasis.Hopefully,thiswillhelpbridgethecommunicationgapbetweenhealthscreening
resultsanddeliveranceofadvice.

Inputs
Materials,resources,personnel
whatisneededtoruntheprogram

Activities
Whattheprogramdoestofulfillits
missionwhatisdone

InvolvedOrganizations Enhancethecurrent
Savannah/Chatham
Savannah/Chatham
CountyCulinary
CountyCulinaryMedicine
MedicineProgram
Program,whichis
MercerUniversity
facilitatedbyMercer
SchoolofMedicine
UniversitySchoolof
ForsythFarmersMarket Medicinestudents,local
FarmTruck912
chefs,theForsythFarmers
WholesomeWave
Market,andFarmTruck
Georgia
912

GulfstreamAerospace
CommunityPartners
Corpcontinuestohelp
Localbusinesses
fundthecurrentprogram

Localdoctors,radio
Advocatesand
stations,andnewspapers
Personnel
spreadawarenessofthe
Localvolunteers,
programtoeligible
includingmedical
individuals.Theutilization
students
ofSNAPdollarsatthe
RDNortrained
ForsythFarmersMarket
volunteertodeliver
andFarmTruck912stops
nutritioneducation
willadditionallybe

advertised.
Resources
Computerswithinternet RDNortrainedvolunteer
willbepresentatthe
accessformarketing,
ForsythFarmersMarket
creatingnutrition
healthscreeningbooth
educationhandouts
andculinarymedicine
Basicofficesupplies
classesinordertodeliver
(paper,printer,file
individualizednutrition
folderswithplasticfile
boxes,binderetc.)

Outcomes
Outputs

Initial

Intermediate

Directproductsofthe
activitieswhatisreceived

Changesinparticipantswhich Changesinparticipants
areadirect,immediateresult whichoccurasaresultof
ofparticipationinthe
initialoutcomes
program

Quantityof
nutrition
education
handouts
Numberof
FarmersMarket
customersusing
SNAPbenefits
beforeandafter
implementationof
program
improvements
Totalnumberof
volunteers
recruited
Totalnumberof
localcommunity
figuresadvocating
theprogram
Involvementand
communication
withlocal
organizationsand
businesses
Numberof
advertisements
andpromotions
Totalnumberof
contactand
information
methods

Increaseinthe
quantityofnutrition
educationhandouts
Increaseinthetotal
numberofmedical
studentvolunteers
Establishmore
relationshipswith
localbusinesses,
organizations,and
individuals
Improveawareness
ofthecurrent
ForsythFarmers
MarketandMercer
UniversitySchoolof
MedicineCulinary
MedicineProgram
Increasethenumber
ofcustomersatthe
ForsythFarmers
MarketandFarm
Truck912whouse
SNAPbenefits
Increaseinthe
numberofRDNs/
andtrained
volunteersavailable

Maintainand
continueto
increasethe
quantityof
nutrition
educationclasses
taught
Makethe
participantsmore
awareofthe
importanceof
choosing
nutritiousfood
items
Improvethe
healthand
nutritionalstatus
oftheparticipants
Improveand
maintainrelations
withlocalpeople,
businesses,and
organizations
Increase
awarenessofthe
currentCulinary
MedicineProgram
Increaseand
maintainthe
numberof

LongerTerm
Changesinparticipantswhichcan
onlybeassessedaftersometime
haspassed

Increaseinthenumber
ofFarmersMarket
customersusingSNAP
benefitsbeforeandafter
implementationof
programimprovements
Increasethenumberof
customersattheForsyth
FarmersMarketand
FarmTruck912whouse
SNAPbenefits
Improveawarenessof
thecurrentForsyth
FarmersMarketand
MercerUniversity
SchoolofMedicine
CulinaryMedicine
Program
Increaseandmaintain
thenumberofRDNs/
andtrainedvolunteers
available
Increasedawarenessof
thenutritionrelated
knowledgedeficitofthe
lowincomepopulationof
Savannah,GA
Increasedfoodsecurity
amonglocallowincome
familiesandindividuals
inthecommunityand

consultationsfreeof
chargetoparticipants.

Changesin
knowledgeofthe
program

volunteersand
RDNsavailable

decreasedfood
insecurityamongthese
individuals

Budget
Thebudgetforthisprogramwouldhaveveryminimalcosts.Computersandinternetfor
advertising,marketingdisplayinginformation,andapplicationareneeded.Basicofficesupplies
suchaspaper,printers,files,bindersandmorearealsoneededtohelpkeepallthehandouts
organizedandavailable.
Tohelpoverseetheprogram,anutritionistordietitianwillneedtobehired.Theirrole
wouldbetoattendallmeetingsrelatedtotheCulinaryMedicineProgram,createthenutrition
educationhandouts,trainvolunteersonhowtoeducateclientsbasedonthehandouts,and
superviseevents.Thispositioncouldbeanhourly/parttimepositionthatwouldbea23hour
commitment.Thedietitian/nutritionistpositionwagewouldbe$30.00anhour.Thebudgetfor
thisprojectwouldbe$6,480.00fortheRDN,necessaryofficesupplies,andmarketing.
EvaluationPlan
Evaluationplansareusedtodeterminewhetherortheobjectivesoftheprogramhave
beenmetornotmet.Programevaluationplansmustbemadeinordertodetermineifthepositive
resultsareproduced.Theprogramsponsorsandfundingsourceswillwanttoknowifthemoney
theyhavedonatedisbeingputtooptimaluse.Theevaluationoftheenhanced
Savannah/ChathamCountyCulinaryMedicineProgramoutcomeswillbebothquantitativeand
qualitative.Theobjectivesintroducedpreviouslywillbeconsideredandanalyzed.

Theoverallresultsoftheprogramevaluationwillbedisseminated
.
Themeasurement
mechanismsthatwillbeusedtodetermineprogramimpactsincludeprogramreports,
questionnaires,andinterviews.ProgramreportswillbehandledbythehiredRDNandMercer
MedicalSchoolstudentvolunteers.Throughuseofprogramreports,wewillmonitorthenumber
ofparticipantswhopartakeinthenutritioneducationhandouts.Individualswhoparticipatein
thehealthscreeningsandotherprogramactivitieswillbeaskedtowritedowntheirphone
number.Phoneinterviewstotheseindividualswillbeconducted,andtheywillbeaskedifthey
foundthenutritioneducationhandoutstobehelpful.Thisphonecallwillalsobeusedasaform
ofTeleHealth,asnutritioneducationwillbedeliveredtoclientsduringthiscallaswell.Also,
wewilldeterminethebenefitsofadvertisementinraisingawarenessoftheWellnessprogram
andusageofSNAPbenefitsattheForsythFarmersMarketandFoodTruck912.Ourlastform
ofmeasurementisquestionnaires,whichwillbemailedtoeveryhouseholdin
Savannah/ChathamCountyregion.Thequestionnaireswilldeterminetheoverallpublic
awarenessoftheCulinaryMedicineProgram,usageofSNAPbenefitsattheForsythFarmers
MarketandFoodTruck912.Anutritioneducationhandoutwithgeneraltipsforhealthyeating
willbeincludedinthequestionnaireenvelopeaswell.
Followingtheevaluations,thedatawillbeanalyzedtodetermineiftheprogram
objectiveswerereached.Lastly,itwillbeimportantforustopublicisetheprogramoutcomes.
TheresultsofourprogramevaluationwillbedisseminatedontheForsythFarmersMarket
website.Additionalinformationpertainingtoprogramimpactswillbemadeavailableupon
request.

GrantWritingProject

PROJECTDESCRIPTION

WehavechosenSavannah,GAasthelocationforourcommunitynutritionintervention
program.Thereiscurrentlyacommunitywellnessprograminplaceforthelowincome
populationofSavannah.MercerUniversitySchoolofMedicine,ForsythFarmersMarket,and
localchefshavepartneredtodeliverwellnessscreenings,cookingclasses,andnutrition
education.Afterdoingsomeresearch,itseemsthatthenutritioncomponentoftheprogram
needsimprovement.MedicalstudentsfromMercerofferwellnessscreeningseachSaturdayat
theForsythFarmersMarket.Participantsaregiventheresultoftheirscreenandsentontheir
way.Thiswouldbeaprimeopportunitytooffernutritioneducationhandoutsspecificto
individualscreeningresults.Themeanincomeof20.9%offamiliesinSavannahfallsbelowthe
povertylevel.Withthatbeingsaid,thereare57,310householdsinSavannah,and9,265ofthose
householdsreceivefoodstamps(USCensusBureau).

BACKGROUNDINFORMATION/STATEMENTOFPROBLEM

ThecommunityforthisassessmentisSavannah,Georgia.Savannahattractsmany
visitorseachyearduetoitsrichhistoryastheoldesttowninGeorgia.EventhoughSavannahis
apopularvacationspot,itisalsothehubformanypovertystrickenindividualsandfamilies.The
targetpopulationforthisassessmentislowincomeSavannahresidentsspecificallythose
receivingSNAPbenefits.
Thepurposeofthisassessmentistoobtaininformationaboutthelowincomepopulation
ofSavannahandidentifyanynutritionrelatedknowledgedeficitspresent.Theneedsassessment
willhelpdetermineifprogramsalreadyinplaceinthecityarebeingfullyutilizedandare
adequatetobridgeanynutritionrelatedgaps.Theoverallgoalsofthecommunityneeds
assessmentwillbemetbyfourobjectives.
AssessthepercentageofSavannah,GeorgiaspopulationthatisreceivingSNAP
benefits.
Assessthenumberofindividualsdiagnosedwithobesity,hypertension,andtype2
diabetesinSavannah,Georgia,specificallyidentifythenumberoftheseindividuals
whoseincomefallsbelowthepovertyline.

 Identifyservicesalreadyinplacetomeetthenutritionalneedsofthelowincome
populationofSavannah.
Assesstheuseofnutritionservicescurrentlyavailabletothelowincomepopulationof
Savannah.

PROJECTDETAIL

Theoverarchinggoalofthisprogramistodecreasethenutritionrelatedknowledge
deficitofthelowincomepopulationofSavannah,GA.Therearethreeobjectivesforthe
improvedprogram.
ExpandonthecurrentSavannah/ChathamCountyCulinaryMedicineProgram,andclose
thegapbetweenhealthscreeningresultsandthedeliveranceofnutritioneducationto
lowerincomeresidentswithintheSavannah/ChathamCountyarea.
IncreasetheamountofresourcesfortheSavannah/ChathamCountyWellnessprogram
bydevelopingnutritioneducationhandoutsforprogramparticipants.
IncreasepublicawarenessoftheSavannah/ChathamCountyCulinaryMedicineProgram
anditsservices,specificallyinformingthoseeligibleforSNAPbenefitsthattheamount
oftheirbenefitsaredoubledwhenshoppingattheForsythFarmersMarketandFarm
Truck912.

Theprimarymethodsforachievingthegoalsandobjectivesoftheenhancedwellness
programincludethecreationofnutritioneducationhandouts,facilitationofbrief,individualized
nutritioneducationsessions,andprogrammarketing.Initially,anRDNwouldbehiredto
facilitatetheprogramenhancement.Next,aneedsassessmentwouldbeperformedtodetermine
exactlywhichtypesofnutritioneducationmaterialswouldbeofmostbenefittothetarget
population.Ameetingwouldbeconductedwithallindividualscurrentlyinvolvedinthe
Savannah/ChathamCountyCulinaryMedicineProgramsothattheideafortheenhanced
programmaybepresented.ThehiredRDNwoulddevelopallofthenutritioneducationmaterial
andpresentthemataprogrammeetingforapproval.VolunteersfromMercerUniversitySchool
ofMedicinewouldberecruitedandtrainedbytheRDN.TheRDNwouldtrainvolunteersto
delivernutritioneducationtoclientsbasedonthecreatedhandouts/materials.Formarketing,the
RDNwouldcreateflyersadvertisingtheprogramatvariouslocationsinSavannah.Asaresult,
clientswillbegiventheopportunitytopickuptakeawaymaterialsafterhealthscreeningsand
visitingtheFarmTruck912.

GoalsandObjectives

Goal#1Todecreasethenutritionrelatedknowledgedeficitofthelowincomepopulation
ofSavannah,GA
Objective#1.1ExpandonthecurrentSavannah/ChathamCountyCulinaryMedicine
Program,andclosethegapbetweenhealthscreeningresultsandthedeliveranceof
nutritioneducationtolowerincomeresidentswithintheSavannah/ChathamCountyarea.

Objective#1.2IncreasetheamountofresourcesfortheSavannah/ChathamCounty
Wellnessprogrambydevelopingnutritioneducationhandoutsforprogramparticipants.

Objective#1.3IncreasepublicawarenessoftheSavannah/ChathamCountyCulinary
MedicineProgramanditsservices,specificallyinformingthoseeligibleforSNAP
benefitsthattheamountoftheirbenefitsaredoubledwhenshoppingattheForsyth
FarmersMarketandFarmTruck912.

Methods

ExpertnutritionassistancefromanRDN

Enhancednutritioneducationclasses

Individualized,briefnutritioneducationsessions

Nutritioneducationhandouts

Bloodpressure/hypertension,carbohydratecontrol,managingobesity,
cardiovascularhealth,generalnutritiontips,childhoodnutrition,addingvariety,
eatingwellonabudget

Enhancedmarketing
Staff/Administration
RDN(parttime)responsiblefordevelopingnutritioneducationmaterials,attending
meetings,marketing,trainingmedicalstudents,andoverseeingevents

AVAILABLERESOURCES
FarmTruck912
MercerMedicalVolunteerStudents
HoskinsCenter

NEEDEDRESOURCES

Personnel
OneparttimeRDNTheirrolewouldbetoattendallmeetingsrelatedtothe
CulinaryMedicineProgram,createthenutritioneducationhandouts,train
volunteersonhowtoeducateclientsbasedonthehandouts,andsuperviseevents.
Supplies
Twocomputers
Officesupplies(paper,ink,writingutensils,etc.)
Budget

PartTimeDietitian/Nutritionist

$30.00/hour(3hoursaweek)

Computers

$400.00/eachx2

OfficeSupplies

$1000.00

TotalFunds:$6,480.00

EVALUATIONPLAN

FormativeEvaluation:
Theoverallresultsoftheprogramevaluationwillbedisseminated
.
Themeasurement
mechanismsthatwillbeusedtodetermineprogramimpactsincludeprogramreports,
questionnaires,andinterviews.ProgramreportswillbehandledbythehiredRDNandMercer
MedicalSchoolstudentvolunteers.Throughuseofprogramreports,wewillmonitorthenumber
ofparticipantswhopartakeinthenutritioneducationhandouts.Individualswhoparticipatein
thehealthscreeningsandotherprogramactivitieswillbeaskedtowritedowntheirphone
number.Phoneinterviewstotheseindividualswillbeconducted,andtheywillbeaskedifthey
foundthenutritioneducationhandoutstobehelpful.Thisphonecallwillalsobeusedasaform
ofTeleHealth,asnutritioneducationwillbedeliveredtoclientsduringthiscallaswell.Also,
wewilldeterminethebenefitsofadvertisementinraisingawarenessoftheWellnessprogram
andusageofSNAPbenefitsattheForsythFarmersMarketandFoodTruck912.

SummativeEvaluation:
Ourlastformofmeasurementisquestionnaires,whichwillbemailedtoeveryhousehold
inSavannah/ChathamCountyregion.Thequestionnaireswilldeterminetheoverallpublic
awarenessoftheCulinaryMedicineProgram,usageofSNAPbenefitsattheForsythFarmers
MarketandFoodTruck912.Anutritioneducationhandoutwithgeneraltipsforhealthyeating
willbeincludedinthequestionnaireenvelopeaswell.Followingtheevaluations,thedatawill
beanalyzedtodetermineiftheprogramobjectiveswerereached.Lastly,itwillbeimportantfor
ustopublicisetheprogramoutcomes.Theresultsofourprogramevaluationwillbe
disseminatedontheForsythFarmersMarketwebsite.Additionalinformationpertainingto
programimpactswillbemadeavailableuponrequest.

PROGRAMSUSTAINABILITY
Webelievethatourprogramenhancementwillbesustainable.Theprogramhandouts
willalreadybecreatedsotheycanbeupdatedandusedyeartoyear.Withthatsaid,thecurrent
CulinaryMedicineprograminSavannahwasadaptedfromTulaneUniversitySchoolof
MedicinesCulinaryMedicineCurriculum,whichhasproventobesustainable.Itislikelythat

sincetheCulinaryMedicineprograminSavannahishavingproblemswiththenutrition
componentoftheprogramthatotherprogramsaroundthecountryarehavingsimilarissues.
Theseprogramsmaybenefitfromourprogramenhancementplanaswell.

APPENDIXATIMELINE(FirstYear)
MonthOne
Performneedsassessmenttodeterminewhichkindsofnutritioneducationmaterials
wouldbeofmostbenefit
MeetingswithindividualscurrentlyinvolvedintheSavannah/ChathamCountyCulinary
Medicineprogram
MonthTwo
Begindevelopingthefirstdraftofthenutritioneducationmaterials
Attendmeetingwithcommunityleaderstogaintheirsupportoftheprogram
RecruitvolunteersatMercerUniversitySchoolofMedicine
MonthThree
Presentthedraftsofthenutritioneducationmaterialsatmeetingwithindividuals
currentlyinvolvedwithprogram
CreateadvertisementflyerstopostatvariouslocationsaroundSavannah
MonthFourSix
Finalizenutritioneducationmaterials
Solidifystudentvolunteers
Trainstudentvolunteersonhowtodelivernutritionrelatedadvicebasedonthehandouts
MonthSevenTwelve
Conductformativeevaluation
Carryoutfinalsummativeevaluationatthecloseofthetwelfthmonth