The primary aim of wvsu's efnep is to improve nutrition education for low-income families and youth in west virginia

This involves training professional and paraprofessional staff to directly engage with low-income families and youth in nutrition education efforts. The professionals will receive online and in-person training organized by USDA nifa. With guidance from professionals, paraprofessionals will recruit participants from schools, households, and other organizations, and lead them through a series of at least eight lessons using USDA-approved age-appropriate curricula, including eating smart and being active, chfff, the organwise guys, and teen cuisine. Both professionals and paraprofessionals will input program data into webneers, including annual budgets, five-year plans, the number of participants, the number of lessons, and changes in participant knowledge, attitudes, and practices. The expected outcomes will include improved attitudes about physical activity and healthy eating, increased knowledge of healthy food choices, improved personal hygiene, the ability to plan healthy meals using low-cost nutrient-dense foods, and the ability to make safe, nutritious, economical food choices away from home. In the long term, IT is expected that there will be fewer risk factors for nutrition-related health problems and chronic diseases affected by diet and physical activity, as well as fewer incidents of foodborne illnesses associated with unsafe food handling practices. Community engagement in efnep will increase referrals among various programs, organizations, and community groups to meet participants' needs and enhance wvsu's capabilities. Ultimately, community involvement will encourage greater coordination, cooperation, and collaboration between efnep universities and communities to address local and state priorities.