Great Program Outcomes Begins with the Right CNE

Abstract

In 2011, a team of researchers at University of Minnesota Extension completed an Implementation Evaluation of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) program. Information from this study improved the Center for Family Development’s understanding of how quality SNAP-Ed programming is carried out. As part of the Implementation Study, Community Nutrition Educators (CNEs) who lead SNAP-Ed classes across the state provided input into what they felt contributed to positive outcomes in their work environments. Extension Educators (EEs) then reviewed the CNE data and discovered several trends relating to personality characteristics, attitudes, and teaching philosophies that coincide with effective programming. Extension 20 < ABSTRACT DESCRIPTIONS Educators then surveyed Extension Educator and Program Coordinator (PC) colleagues for their views on desirable CNE personality traits and work characteristics, and compared this data with the Implementation Study findings. Current hiring procedures for Extension employees provide only general interview guidelines and do not address specific intrinsic personality characteristics that management teams should be looking for in hiring effective CNEs. It was therefore determined that a list of desirable CNE characteristics and qualities, based on both the Implementation Study and EE/PC survey findings, would be helpful for use in the CNE hiring process. Suggested evidenced based interview questions that focus on intrinsic personality characteristics for hiring CNEs are presently in the development phase.