"The Relationship Wasn't Built Overnight": Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program–Education (SNAP-Ed) Community Partners' Collaboration With Schools to Achieve Collective Impact

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 1
  In Roundtable Session: Developing and Improving Partnerships With Community Organizations in Order to Support Schools

Abstract

Schools are a key space for promoting healthy behaviors vital for student achievement. Schools often look to external organizations for assistance to meet students’ basic health needs. Research has found school-community partnerships effective in delivering resources, but hindered by challenges to organizational integration. This study provides an in-depth understanding of how schools and community partners can better collaborate to address complex problems. Framed using the five conditions of collective impact, this study uses interview, observation, and document analysis data of one effort by multiple community partners to develop organizational integration within a district-wide SNAP-Ed nutrition intervention. Findings highlight how stakeholders can influence school environments to make healthy changes and best leverage all available community resources to promote student well-being.

Authors

• Erin Cassar, School District of Philadelphia

• Elisabeth Fornaro, The School District of Philadelphia

• Soula Servello, School District of Philadelphia

• Ashley Tanz, School District of Philadelphia

• Catherine Tkatch, School District of Philadelphia