The Importance of Systems Thinking, Context, and Inclusion when Studying the Feasibility of Expanding the FoodShare (SNAP) Outreach Program to Rural Communities of Northern Wisconsin

Publication date: Available online 6 February 2019Source: Evaluation and Program PlanningAuthor(s): Travis Moore, Lori Bakken, Bakari WallaceAbstractEvaluators often neglect to question whether a program has been appropriately designed for a new context prior to a feasibility study’s commencement. In this paper, we document the results of a case study that closely examined context when determining the feasibility of implementing a FoodShare outreach program in rural northern Wisconsin. Using community-based participatory mixed methods, we examine how stakeholder engagement led to both study refinement and a more comprehensive understanding of community food security based on contextual factors and systems thinking. Lessons learned when conducting feasibility studies from this perspective are provided to improve evaluation practice.
Source: Evaluation and Program Planning - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research