YMCA Childcare enrichment program project: healthy living policies

1. YMCA Childcare enrichment program project: healthy living policies Anne Harrell Tom Murro Stephanie Weldy Project Supervisor: Joanie Gillis

2. Overview • Introduction • Background • Evaluation Design • Results • Recommendations

3. introduction • “To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.” • Social development and community change • Strengthen the community through 3 focus areas: • Youth development • Healthy living • Social responsibility

4. Background • Childcare Enrichment Program • JCPS partnership • 72 sites • Organizational Structure • Core values • Healthy living initiative, 2004 • Pilot test • Full implementation, 2011

5. Healthy living policies

6. Evaluation Question: what are the facilitators and barriers to policy implementation at CEP sites? Evaluation Design

7. Evaluation design • Purpose/Goals • Understand facilitators and barriers • Determine intrinsic motivators and other factors influencing policy implementation • Differentiate between “Rock-Stars” and those who do not adhere on a regular basis • Logic Model • Goals aligning with Healthy People 2020 objectives

8. Why do the high performing site supervisors go above and beyond with policy implementation, while other supervisors fall short of expectation? What sets these groups apart? • What can the Y do differently to support successful implementation of policies? • How can gaps in staff knowledge provide insight for upcoming educational opportunities and staff training? • What is the vision of the optimal site – one that successfully implements all policies and engages children in the YMCA’s vision for building healthy communities? Evaluation design Evaluation Sub-Questions

9. Why do the high performing site supervisors go above and beyondwith policy implementation, while other supervisors fall short of expectation? What sets these groups apart? • What can the Y do differently to support successful implementation of policies? • How can gaps in staff knowledge provide insight for upcoming educational opportunities and staff training? • What is the vision of the optimal site –one that successfully implements all policies and engages children in the YMCA’s vision for building healthy communities? Evaluation design Evaluation Sub-Questions

10. Evaluation design 4 Areas of Focus • Stakeholder involvement • Issue awareness of policy implementers • Organizational capacity • Individual implementer solutions

11. Evaluation design: methods & Tools • Quantitative analysis with survey administered to site directors • Qualitative analysis with 6 on-site observational evaluations

12. Let’s go on a fieldtrip!

13. Welcome to the cep VS.

14. water pitchers VS.

15. snack table VS.

16. activities VS.

17. Physical activity VS.

18. physical activity

20. Descriptives results • Total responses: 52 • Women: 38 • Men: 14

21. RESULTS • Parent Interest • Snack: 27% • Physical activity: 44% • Screen time: 35% • Water: 48% • Site Directors • 5 servings: 17% • 30 minutes: 44% • 2 hours: 25% • 6-8 cups: 35% • Policy Importance • Snack: 63% • Physical activity: 74% • Screen time: 58% • Water: 71%

22. results Group Leader Support Child Participation

23. Results: Survey • Limiting screen time • Identified barriers • Parents • Possession of electronics • Additional resources • Parentinvolvement • Activity idea handbook • List of fun activities • Physical Activity • Identified barriers • Loss of gym space • Inclement weather plan • Additional resources • Space and/or more gym time • Activity books • Cooperation of school – school liaison • Providing fruits and vegetables • Identified barriers • Parents • Space • Additional resources • Larger variety of foods • Information/nutritional facts for parents • Nutritional programming • Water Pitchers • Identified barriers • Misuse/messy area • Access to water fountain • Additional resources • More reliable/reusable cups and pitchers • Ice

24. Reflections from site supervisors: barriers “Nintendo DS” “The kids drink one drink and scatter their cups on the ground.”

25. Reflections from site supervisors: barriers • “… the biggest barrier is the families not [introducing healthy food] at home. They learn from us, then their parents feed them pop-tarts.”

26. Reflections from site supervisors: suggestions “I would love to have an ice machine at my site. This would really help.” “The option to purchase our own snack based on what our children like.” “A special guest to come and talk about health tips and staying involved in healthy habits.”

27. Reflections from site supervisors: suggestions “Fun activities to keep [kids] up and moving”

28. recommendations • Continued implementation of employee health management program • Encourage creation of reservation system for recreational space at host sites • Incentive giveaway program • Standardize the water policy • Activity Workbook: ideas and rainy day resources • “Kids in the Kitchen” cook kit • Educational liaison for parent education, implementation, and overview

29. Limitations/room for improvement • Small sample size • Anonymity of surveys • Wide spread of ages • Site directors • Number of children at site

30. Any questions?? Thank you.