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Using the Wilder Collaboration Factors Inventory to Assess SNAP‐Ed Coalitions in Arizona: Results from Four Counties
Author(s) -
McCullough Lauren,
Jacobs Laurel,
Orzech Kathryn,
Farrell Vanessa,
McDonald Dan,
Florian Traci Armstrong,
Zilliox Patricia,
Martinez Cathy,
Misner Scottie
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.31.1_supplement.30.5
Subject(s) - likert scale , accountability , supplemental nutrition assistance program , healthy eating , success factors , scale (ratio) , political science , marketing , business , psychology , public relations , medicine , physical activity , geography , food insecurity , developmental psychology , business administration , cartography , archaeology , food security , law , agriculture , physical medicine and rehabilitation
Background In 2014, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ‐ Education (SNAP‐Ed) incorporated Policy, Systems and Environmental (PSE) approaches to reinforce obesity prevention efforts. This expansion included engagement in multi‐sectoral coalitions which provide community‐level supports for healthy eating and active living. Coalition success depends on creating well‐defined collaborations that share authority, accountability, resources, and achievements. Arizona's SNAP‐Ed utilized the Wilder Collaboration Factors Inventory (WCFI) to evaluate coalitions' effectiveness in supporting food systems and active living PSE goals at the community level. Methods The University of Arizona Nutrition Network (UANN), part of the SNAP‐Ed program in Arizona, used the WCFI to assess six coalitions in four counties (Maricopa, Mohave, Pima, and Pinal). The WCFI uses a 40‐question Likert scale (1.0–5.0) questionnaire to evaluate collaborations on 20 success factors. The WCFI identifies areas of collaboration strength (4.0–5.0) and weakness (1.0–3.9). Coalition members were invited to complete the WCFI online or in‐person. Of the 117 surveys distributed, 64 were returned, and 61 provided complete responses. The results (N=61) were aggregated to identify similar factor scores across coalitions. Results Four out of six coalitions (66%) scored highly in the same success factor: members see collaboration in their self‐interest (average score: 4.5). Half of the coalitions identified unique purpose as a stronger success factor within their collaboration (average score: 4.2). All coalitions identified the same weaker success factor: lack of sufficient funds, staff, materials, and time (average score: 2.8). Three coalitions had the development of clear roles and policy guidelines as a weak success factor within their coalition (average score: 3.0). Conclusion The WCFI results suggest that community coalitions in which SNAP‐Ed staff participate in Arizona reflect an invested membership and a unique purpose in their communities, yet sufficient resources and clear goals are areas that should be strengthened. By providing timely and actionable WCFI data and recommendations to these active living and food systems coalitions in Arizona, capacity can be strengthened to achieve the goals of the collaborations in which SNAP‐Ed participates. The coalitions that use the WCFI results to encourage the strengthening of their coalition's capacity will be more likely to succeed in achieving PSE changes in their communities. Support or Funding Information USDA HI050073