Abstract in 2024, the county health rankings (CHR) reported the following data in the TRI-county area of the lower eastern shore of maryland: adult obesity: maryland: 34%, somerset county: 47%,…

Abstract in 2024, the county health rankings (CHR) reported the following data in the TRI-county area of the lower eastern shore of maryland: adult obesity: maryland: 34%, somerset county: 47%, wicomico county: 38%, and worcester county: 38%. Physical inactivity: maryland: 21%, somerset county: 29%, wicomico county: 27%, and worcester county: 21 %. Teen births {per 1000 female population ages 15-19): maryland: 13, somerset county: 15, wicomico county: 17, and worcester county: 11. Food environment index: maryland: 8.8, somerset county: 7.4, wicomico county: 7.3, and worcester county: 7.6. Children in poverty: maryland: 12%, somerset county: 28%, wicomico county: 16%, and worcester county: 14%. Children in single-parent households: maryland: 26%, somerset county: 29%, wicomico county: 29%, and worcester county: 28%. According to the census bureau's american community survey 5-year estimates (2009-2022), in 2022, the percentage of families with children living in deep poverty was: wicomico county: 49.5%, somerset county: 48.1 %, and worcester county: 47.5%. The 2023 maryland hunger profile data indicated the following: snap benefits recipients: somerset county: 5 ,920 average participants/month, wicomico county: 19,736 average participants/month, and worcester county: 6,491 average partici pants/month. Free and reduced-price meals enrollment: somerset county: 97%, wicomico county: 77%, and worcester county: 52% importance of EFNEP programs this data underscores the necessity for expanded food and nutrition education programs (EFNEP), which serve families in poverty (below 185% of poverty guidelines) and target children and youth from similar socioeconomic backgrounds. Emphasizing a healthy lifestyle among low-income families is crucial to preventing chronic diseases. There is an increased need for EFNEP intervention, and a successful 1890 EFNEP program can positively impact youth and adult health, productivity, and quality of life. We anticipate an average cost saving of 30 cents per graduate per year over the next five years in the TRI-county area. External factors affecting program implementation: lack of dependable transportation; lack of motivation among parents/households overwhelmed with daily survival needs; discontinued funding sources; difficulty in recruiting and maintaining seasonal participants (e.g., hispanics); economic crises affecting summer camp participation; lack of access to parents/households or collaborator sites due to natural disasters assumptions: participants and agency partners will be receptive to the proposed program and educational materials; participants will be willing to go through every stage of change gradually; funding will be available; paraprofessionals will be trained and motivated to facilitate recruitment and maintain a high retention rate.