Exploring Extension Agent Capacity and Readiness to Adopt Policy, Systems and Environmental Change Approaches

Abstract

IntroductionEnhanced Extension outreach strategies combine traditional direct education programs with public health approaches like policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) change. However, the Cooperative Extension system and county-based Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Extension agents have historically prioritized direct education programming and diffusion of enhanced outreach strategies has varied. Extension personnel may lack capacity and readiness for successful PSE change implementation. This study explored perceived acceptability, capacity, and readiness for PSE change work among FCS Extension agents in two states.MethodA survey was developed framed by selected domains from the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research: Intervention Characteristics, Inner Setting, Characteristics of Individuals, and Process. All questions utilized a 5-point Likert scale, except for an item examining respondents' stage of change regarding PSE change strategies. Descriptive statistics and response frequencies for all variables were calculated.ResultsSurvey responses (n = 116) indicated PSE change work was perceived as valuable. Potential barriers included perceived complexity, organizational readiness issues (e.g., reporting and evaluation structures; performance incentives), and worries about stakeholder responses in shifting away from direct education. Responses indicated self-efficacy for skills important in implementing PSE change. Most respondents (53%) indicated being at the pre-contemplation or contemplation stage of change in pursuing PSE change work.DiscussionCombining PSE change strategies and direct education programming allows Extension to do what it does best – provide effective programs to improve and sustain health and wellbeing of individuals and families. Findings are informative for others aiming to build capacity within community educators, Extension and public health professionals to implement PSE change.

Addressing the Gap Between Academic Research and Grassroots Public Health Practice: Supporting Policy, Systems, and Environmental Changes in Rural Communities

“…Agents were able to provide recommendations and support for project implementation and some reporting issues. However, county-level Extension agents typically do not have expertise in evaluation or PSE change strategies (Washburn et al, 2022). Most are unfamiliar with the terminology and public health-based concepts of PSE, even though they actively support projects involving PSE strategies on a regular basis.…”

Understanding the Role of Extension Professionals in Public Health and One Health in Kansas

“…It aims to improve the health outcomes and livelihoods of the communities [ 7 ]. The CES houses a team of campus-based subject matter specialists and support county-level EPs whose activities are driven by the needs and priorities of the local communities, including the available resources from the sponsoring LGUs [ 8 , 9 ].…”

“…The education efforts of EPs are primarily focused in four areas: (1) agriculture and natural resources, (2) youth development, (3) family and consumer sciences, and (4) community development [ 9 ]. Over the years, the role of EPs in the community has evolved to disaster management and response, hurricanes, oil spills, wildfires, and zoonotic diseases.…”