Development of EFNEP and SNAP-Ed Core Competencies in the Land-Grant University System

Abstract

This report describes the development and revision of core competencies for the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education program leaders, supervisors, and paraprofessional educators across the land-grant university system. The developing curriculum methodologies were used to engage panels of exemplary employees and an advisory panel of program leaders. A crosswalk examined key documents, and a gap analysis explored the competencies of similar professions. The resulting job duties and tasks reflect cultural, environmental, and educational trends. The core competencies are critical for writing job descriptions, guiding hiring, evaluating performance, and providing initial and ongoing training for the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education.

Keywords: EFNEP; SNAP-Ed; core competencies; paraprofessional educators; program leaders.