4-Hefnep Columbus County

During the 1960’s there was recognition of the link between poverty and malnutrition and the fact many Americans were not only poor but were suffering from hunger and malnutrition. Cooperative Extension was aware that available educational programs and resources were not reaching segments of the population, including low-income groups. Studies showed that isolation, lack of transportation, poor self-concept and rejection by others were barriers to learning. Pilot studies in several states helped identify effective approaches for contacting, teaching and maintaining education programs with people who lived in poverty. Recommendations based on results of these pilot studies were the basis for initiating the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) in 1969.

The unique feature of EFNEP was the method of program delivery, that is employment of paraprofessionals, Extension EFNEP Program Assistant/Associate(s) (PA’s), who were indigenous to the areas in which they would work. Extension professionals would hire, train and supervise the PA’s as they worked individually or in small groups of limited resource families.

Beginning in July 1969, EFNEP was funded by earmarked Smith-Lever 3(d) funds. Initially, the emphasis was on working with adults. The aim of EFNEP was to help low-income families with young children acquire the knowledge, skills, attitudes and changed behavior necessary to improve their diets through education and use of available resources.

One year later, Congress stipulated that 15-20% of EFNEP funds would be used to support a youth component (4-H EFNEP) with emphasis on urban youth. The objectives include contributing to the personal development of youth through nutrition and contributing to improvement of diets and nutritional status of the total family through educational programs for youth.