In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the agency (state or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal
Relay Service at 800-877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (PDF) which can be obtained online or from any USDA office, by calling 833-620-1071, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to:
- mail:
Food and Nutrition Service, USDA
1320 Braddock Place, Room 334
Alexandria, VA 22314; or - fax:
833-256-1665 or 202-690-7442; or - email:
FNSCIVILRIGHTSCOMPLAINTS@usda.gov
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
This material was funded by USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program –
SNAP.
Program Overview
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) is a federally funded grant program offered to all US States and Territories. The goal of SNAP-Ed is to implement nutrition education and health promotion for eligible individuals to support food choices and physical activity consistent with the most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
SNAP-Ed strengthens SNAP’s public health impact by addressing food and nutrition security to improve nutrition and prevent or reduce diet-related, chronic diseases among the SNAP eligible population. SNAP-Ed uses evidence-based approaches to deliver nutrition education, develop social marketing, and create policy, systems and environmental changes.
Mission
To increase equitable access to healthy food and physical activity and enable choice for the SNAP-eligible population by breaking down barriers and building upon community assets.
Vision
All people in Washington have access to environments that support healthy and culturally relevant choices for food and physical activity.
SNAP-Ed Program Structure
The SNAP-Ed Program is authorized through the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Farm Bill) and administered by the United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Services. In Washington, SNAP-Ed funds are routed first through the Department of Social and Health Services and then to the Statewide Coordination Team. Implementing Agencies contract with SNAP-Ed Providers, some of whom work in communities and others regionally or statewide. The Evaluation and the Curriculum, Training and Websites Teams provide universal support to all SNAP-Ed staff.
Federal Funder
SNAP-Ed Providers
Local Health Jurisdictions
Tribal Nations
Community-Based Organizations
Healthcare Organizations
State Agencies and Associations
Statewide Coordination Team
State Agency
Statewide Support
Curriculum, Training, and Websites (CTW)
State implementing Agencies
Department of Health
The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) is the state administering agency for the SNAP-Ed grant. DSHS receives funds from USDA Food and Nutrition Services (FNS). Allocations are based on a state’s historical national SNAP-Ed expenditure in federal fiscal year (FFY) 2009 and a state’s current SNAP participation as a percent of national participation. DSHS is responsible for submitting a state plan and annual report, managing the budget, and for ensuring the program is executed in compliance with federal regulations. DSHS also facilitates the Statewide Coordination Team, coordinates and collaborates with other state programs, and promotes equity through our Anti-Racism and Equity Strategic Plan, Tribal Engagement Strategy, and participation in Special Olympics’ Inclusive Nutrition Initiative.
The Evaluation Team works with DSHS, Implementing Agencies and SNAP-Ed Providers to support statewide and local evaluation. Though housed under the Department of Health, they provide support for all SNAP-Ed programs throughout the state. The team develops an annual statewide evaluation technical guide, maintains Washington SNAP-Ed evaluation toolkits, creates data visualizations such as eligibility maps, and conducts our comprehensive SNAP-Ed Needs Assessment. Evaluation is part of the Statewide Coordination Team and works closely with CTW on Direct Education assessments. Recently, they contracted with data equity firm We All Count to ensure equity principles guided all of our evaluation efforts.
The Curriculum, Training and Website (CTW) Team coordinates with DSHS, Implementing Agencies, the Evaluation Team, and the Washington State Farmers Market Association to provide support to all SNAP-Ed Providers across Washington. CTW is responsible for providing training, curriculum assessment, monitoring, support, and the management of two statewide SNAP-Ed websites. CTW assists in statewide communication through a weekly update and facilitation of ad hoc meetings and gatherings throughout the year. CTW is also responsible for coordinating the planning and execution of the annual WA SNAP-Ed Statewide Forum. CTW works on a number of special projects, including updating publications, adapting curricula for specific audiences and settings, and coordinating increased language access for nutrition education materials (see “Additional Statewide Work”).
Washington State University (WSU) Extension has implemented SNAP-Ed programming since 1991. WSU SNAP-Ed Providers are housed in extension offices across 27 counties, collaborating with partners to implement direct education and policy, systems, and environmental approaches to improving access to nourishing foods and physical activity at local, regional and statewide levels. In addition to local providers, WSU Implementing Agency supports statewide efforts including Spanish and Mixtec Outreach, Local Procurement, Retail Access and Virtual Education. The WSU Extension mission is to “engage people, organizations and communities to advance knowledge, economic well-being and quality of life by fostering inquiry, learning and the application of research.”
The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Implementing Agency works as a part of the Statewide Coordination Team to implement SNAP-Ed programming across the state. DOH works with 26 subrecipient contractors that include local health jurisdictions, nonprofit community organizations, Tribal nations, and other state agencies to support Washington SNAP-Ed’s statewide goals. Internally, DOH SNAP-Ed supports and partners with other DOH programs including statewide fruit and vegetable incentive programs, the Health Equity Zones Initiative, and healthy aging initiatives. Currently, DOH SNAP-Ed facilitates the Fruit and Vegetable Incentive Program Community of Practice, Food Pantry Coordination, and Healthy Aging Initiatives (see “Additional Statewide Work”).
SNAP-Ed is delivered across Washington through providers housed in a variety of organizations and agencies, including county Extension offices, local health jurisdictions, non-profits, community-based organizations, and Tribal entities. SNAP-Ed staff members in these organizations collaborate with their local communities to identify approaches tailored to the community. Providers prepare and oversee their individual program budgets and workplans. They also participate in workgroups, communities of practice, and other efforts to broaden reach and share local perspective in statewide efforts.