Progress 05/16/17 to 05/15/20
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience for this project included students and their families in Orangeburg (Felton Laboratory Charter School) and Calhoun County district schools that have been identified and are in need of resources to address food insecurity, while addressing and improving students' academic, attendance and behavior. The grant project schools range from K-12 for Calhoun County District and K-8 for Felton Laboratory Charter School. This project aimed at providing trainings to teachers, staff, and administrators to provide them with the knowledge, and skills needed to identify and refer students meeting the criteria providing during the meetings/training. Below you will find the trainings conducted at each school site with number of teachers/staff represented: 2017 Felton Laboratory School Board Meeting: July 13, 2017@ 6:00 pm Felton Laboratory Professional Development Training (Liberty Room): July 17, 2017 w/22 attendees Calhoun County School District Office Administrator's Meeting: August 8, 2017 w/6 attendees 2018 Felton Laboratory literacy night on November 7, 2018w/36 attendees St Matthews K-8 literacy night on November 15, 2018 w/22 attendees Sandy Run K-8 In-service training on November 27th, 2018 w/34 attendees Pantry Pals Culinary Camp meeting - June 4, 2018 w/ 5 attendees 2019 Pantry Pals Culinary Camp Parent Meeting - June 6, 2019 w/3 attendees Community Partner's Meeting - October 8, 2019 w/4 attendees The racial and ethnic makeup of the project sites are majority African American. At Sandy Run K-8 with 11 Caucasian; (5) five bi-racial (2 boys and 3 girls); Calhoun County High School (1) African American male; (3) African Americans (1 male and 2 females). All recipients of the grant project activities within the Calhoun County School District receive free meals (breakfast and lunch) due to the Community Eligibility Provision Program (CEP) where all children within the Calhoun County District eat their meals for free. All the students from Felton Laboratory Charter School were African-American, but researcher experienced a decline in the numbers for the project site. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Alishia R. Walker and Lakeisa Tucker (2017). A Social Worker's Role in Improving Food Insecurity through School-Based Services. 75th Annual Professional Agricultural Worker's Conference, Tuskegee, AL, December 6, 2017. Lakeisa Tucker, Allison Dixon, Jamie Rogers. The 21st Annual School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA) Conference, held at the Hyatt Regency in Columbus, Ohio on March 13-15, 2018. Kelly Farmer and Lakeisa Tucker (2019). A Social Worker's Role in Improving Food Insecurity to Promote Healthy Student Development through School-Based Services. Proceedings at the 77th PAWC conference held at Tuskegee University on December 6, 2019. (won the 3rd place). Allison Dixon, Jamie Rogers, Lakeisa Tucker. "The Effectiveness of School-Based Gardens and Food Pantries in Reducing Food Insecurity in Rural South Carolina". Abstract was accepted for oral presentation for Global Food Security Conference 2019 at Vancouver, Canada. Allison Dixon, Jamie Rogers, Lakeisa Tucker. The Effectiveness of School-Based Gardens and Food Pantries in Reducing Food Insecurity in Rural South Carolina. Abstract accepted for oral presentations to the 6th International Conference on Food Security and Nutrition (ICFSN 2019) Barcelona, Spain. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The information shared from the researched has been shared through interprofessional collaboration. The grant team met with community stakeholders from the school districts, parents and interested partners to inform them of results. The dissemination of information created an interest of partnerships to continue to assist in improving the quality of life for the participants based on the outcomes from the study. The grant allowed for the sharing of a newsletter quarterly to be shared with parents, teachers and students to take home to inform the parent about what is taking place with the grant at their school site, as theinformation was disseminated more families became interested in being served through the grant. Parent became aware of where to receive information about their local community resources issued school and district wide. Research Presentations have been conducted through the undergraduate Research Assistant MANNRS Presentation; Tuskegee, Alabama (the student won 3rd place). Additionally, the grant staff presented and shared its findings at the School Social Work Conference to bring awareness if an issue that impact student in school. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Food insecurity has become a national, yet social problem. Schools have tried developed strategies aimed at reducing food insecurity but have not been able to sustain them. This grant proposes a school-based program to address food insecurity of public-school students that reside in rural areas (Orangeburg and Calhoun counties) initiatives that will enhance participation in food programs and increase access to food to address food insecurity. Research indicates that there is a direct link to the lack of food as it related to behavior, academics, and attendance in school. Many students are experiencing food insecurity in these counties. For some students, breakfast and lunch are the only meals that they receive during the school day. Sometimes they do not have food on the weekend. This project is looking to close this gap and help seek ways in which schools can continue to sustain the food pantry in order to serve students in need. These counties have a diverse racial and ethnic make-up. In Calhoun County there are 700 children experiencing food insecurity; Orangeburg County there are 5,410 children experiencing food insecurity. We chose to focus on these areas because of the lack of programs and school funding is making it impossible to have these programs, but they are needed. a) Increase teachers, administrators and staff how to recognize students experiencing food insecurity. During year one, each site received onsite training on food insecurity with teachers, staff and board members. Below you will find the trainings conducted at each school site with number of teachers/staff represented: 2017 Felton Laboratory School Board Meeting: July 13, 2017@ 6:00 pm (# of attendees unknown) Felton Laboratory Professional Development Training (Liberty Room): July 17, 2017 w/22 attendees Calhoun County School District Office Administrator's Meeting: August 8, 2017 w/6 attendees 2018 Felton Laboratory literacy night on November 7, 2018w/36 attendees St Matthews K-8 literacy night on November 15, 2018 w/22 attendees Sandy Run K-8 In-service training on November 27th, 2018 w/34 attendees Pantry Pals Culinary Camp meeting - June 4, 2018 w/ 5 attendees 2019 Pantry Pals Culinary Camp Parent Meeting - June 6, 2019 w/3 attendees Community Partner's Meeting - October 8, 2019 w/4 attendees b) Identify students and families experiencing food insecurity, assess their needs, and link them with services. Each school site has received referral form approved by IRB to refer to students and families to the pantry in their school; Serve at least 50 students from each project site (Felton Laboratory Charter School, Calhoun County School district). To date, the grant served over 84 students. During the 2017-2020 school term Pantry Pals have distributed: 6 food back packs to Calhoun County High School 108 food back packs to St. Matthews K-8 156 food back packs to Sandy Run K-8 30 food back packs to Felton Laboratory Charter School Which totals at 300 backpacks. Students have been provided with weekend backpacks which totals to 731. Therefore, a grand total of 1,001 backpacks have been distributed for the duration of the grant. c) Improve nutrition of students and families through school-based programs and nutrition education. 1. We have been able to provide non-perishable food item back packs to students in Calhoun County School District and Felton Laboratory Charter School since October 11, 2017, totaling 36 backpacks distributed. 2. The social worker prepared for sustainability by collaborating with 1890 Research and Extension Family Life Extension Agents to provide school-based educational activities at St. Matthews K-8 and Sandy Run K-8. The 1890 Extension program established a MOU with Calhoun County School District beginning April 7, 2017 which updated each year. The final MOU for the duration of the grant was retained August 26, 2019. Calhoun County received their backpacks on the 2nd & 4th Fridays of each month during the 2017-2019 grant cycle. St. Matthews K-8 and Felton Laboratory Charter School established a school garden with supplies provided through the grant where students were allowed to take home fresh vegetables from the garden. Community Partners in Calhoun County will resume backpacks and the end of the grant 3. Felton Laboratory Charter School received their backpacks on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of each month. 4. The TRIO/GEARUP established partnership to sustain backpacks at Felton Laboratory Charter School at the end of the grant. 5. Social worker and Data Coordinator have developed a community resources booklet and distributed to grants site for parents and teachers to have access to resources. Each site received 50 resources booklets. 6. Social Worker developed a partnership with Growing COB- Community Gardens for Community Growth (Calhoun, Orangeburg and Bamberg) Orangeburg area chapter to partner with project site to educate and provide hands-on opportunities for project student to allow accessibility to students and their families to healthy produce. 7.Hosted a summer camp for program participants. The program provided worked with campers to develop their culinary skills and healthy lifestyle under instruction of camp staff and 1890 extension agents. The camp also focused on increasing their knowledge about gardening and cultivating gardening skills. Summer 2018-12 participants Summer 2019-19 participants Students participated in activities during a camp field trip at the River Bank Zoo Students participated in activities during a camp field trip to City Roots d) Increase access to nutritious, affordable food for students and families vulnerable to becoming food insecure in project schools. Established partnerships with programs to continue to maintain the pantry at Felton Laboratory Charter at the end of the grant cycle(TRIO/GEARUP). Established a purchase order requisition of 3,500.00 with local partner Piggly Wiggly grant to purchase supplies for the backpacks. Seek grant opportunities and partners to sustain the food pantry at each project site.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
1) Alishia R. Walker and Lakeisa Tucker (2017). A Social Workers Role in Improving Food Insecurity through School-Based Services. 75th Annual Professional Agricultural Workers Conference, Tuskegee, AL, December 6, 2017.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
2) Lakeisa Tucker, Allison Dixon, Jamie Rogers.The 21st Annual School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA) Conference, held at the Hyatt Regency in Columbus, Ohio on March 13-15, 2018.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
3) Kelly Farmer and Lakeisa Tucker .A Social Workers Role in Improving Food Insecurity to Promote Healthy Student Development through School-Based Services. Proceedings at the 77th PAWC conference held at Tuskegee University on December 6, 2019. (won the 3rd place).
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
4) Allison Dixon, Jamie Rogers, Lakeisa Tucker. The Effectiveness of School-Based Gardens and Food Pantries in Reducing Food Insecurity in Rural South Carolina . Abstract was accepted for oral presentation for Global Food Security Conference 2019 at Vancouver, Canada.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
5) Allison Dixon, Jamie Rogers, Lakeisa Tucker. The Effectiveness of School-Based Gardens and Food Pantries in Reducing Food Insecurity in Rural South Carolina. Abstract accepted for oral presentations to the 6th International Conference on Food Security and Nutrition (ICFSN 2019) Barcelona, Spain.
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Progress 10/01/17 to 09/30/18
Outputs
Target Audience: Student participants, teachers, educators, school administrators and families located within Felton Laboratory Charter School and Calhoun County School District. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? South Carolina State University Social Work Student Volunteers Community Service Food Pantry Training held January 16, 2018. Felton Laboratory Charter School In-service Training on February 6, 2018 to 20 teachers and educators Felton Laboratory Charter School In-service Training on February 13, 2018 to 20 teachers and educators Sandy Run K-8 In-service Training on March 22, 2018 to 42 teachers and educators 8 parents/ legal guardians attended the Pantry Pals Culinary Camp Parent Meeting on June 4, 2018 Felton Laboratory Charter School "Science Day" - June 20, 2018 to 33 participants (26 students and 7 teachers) Calhoun County High School In-service Training on August 8, 2018 to 33 teachers and educators Felton Laboratory literacy night on November 7, 2018 to 69 participants (34 parents and 35 students) St Matthews K-8 literacy night on November 15, 2018 to 48 participants (21 parents and 27 students) Sandy Run K-8 In-service Training on November 27th, 2018 to 42 teachers and educators PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT The Principal Investigator, Research Associate and Social Worker attended The 21st Annual School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA) Conference, held at the Hyatt Regency in Columbus, Ohio on March 13-15, 2018. Conference focused on enhancing and promoting the effectiveness of school administrators and social work professionals in increasing awareness about food insecurity and social workers' strategies to working with children in families through school based services. The conference provided a great networking opportunity to connect and discuss various practice technique strategies with other nationally recognized social workers from across the United States. We conducted a poster board presentation on addressing food insecurity while attending the conference and many were very enlightened and aware that food insecurity is at an all-time high in the United States. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results from the surveys have not been shared with the community at this time; we have presented the information during the School Social Work conference in March 2018. More data is still be collected and hope to be shared during school activities (planned events) and professional conferences. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The social worker will coordinate two educational sessions per month throughout the remaining school year that will provide information to educate students (educational activity sessions) in an afterschool setting, families (Parent night) and educators (in-service training) about food insecurity and its relationship to attendance, behavior and academics. Plan summer Culinary Camp for at least 25 participants with proposed schedule of June 10th- 14th, 2019. The camp's focus is to allow students to have the opportunity to learn about handling food properly, preparing healthy foods, and reduce food insecurity. Distribute 50 community resources booklets to schools by May 2019. Increase the number of student participants at Felton Laboratory Charter School and Calhoun County School District by 10% May 2019.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The project has engaged several community and campus partners. Canned goods and non-perishable food items have been received from Dwight's Auto Body Shop (continuous) and The Eleventh Hour Missionary Baptist Church. Since October 13, 2017 back packs have been provided to students in Calhoun County on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of each month. Felton Laboratory Charter School has been served since January 2018, on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of each month. Parent and student surveys were administered February 13 - March 5, 2018. Donations from community partners have allowed the project to provide food back packs to a total of 57 students. The social worker along with school administrators and an advisory committee at 3 project sites established a school garden. The grant funds purchased the garden supplies on March 5, 2018. On March 22, 2018, the social worker along with grant staff members developed the preliminary schedule for the summer 2018 Culinary Camp. In preparation for the first Pantry Pals Culinary Camp, (June 4-8, 2018) with goal of at least 20 participants from all project sites, received 12 camp applications. The Culinary Camp hosted 8 students from St. Matthews K-8 and Felton Laboratory Charter School. Students were able to attend an Educational Program at the Riverbanks Zoo & Garden in Columbia, SC to see a community garden. The students were taught how this garden provides produce for food demonstrations, and meals at zoo. We were able to provide students from "Pantry Pals" Culinary Camp with snacks, lunch, and backpacks each day of the camp. Although few in number and yet successful, participants of the Culinary Camp wish to extend the time for next year's camp. Registered Dietician, Mrs. Carmen Thompson and Dr. Norma Samuels an Agriculture Agent were brought in to give the camp participants a hands-on demonstration as to how to do the following; read food labels, prep and prepare meals with the understanding of what a healthy plate consist of; understanding where their food comes from; finally, choosing healthy items to cook a healthy meal. The student participants also had two days of using technology in the classroom. The participants used "Chromebooks" to research where different food comes from. Spring of 2018 the grant staff completed a "Farm to Table" (Farmer's Market) with Felton Laboratory Charter School, in which all the produce that had been grown in the project sites school's gardens were collected and sold to the parents, faculty, staff on the campus of SC State University. October 1- 23, 2018, Pantry Pals hosted its annual food drive collecting a total of 772 non-perishable food items from Calhoun County School District. Fall of 2018 the social worker along with the graduate research assistant, developed a partnership with Kool Smiles Dentistry of Orangeburg, SC to demonstrate the importance of good oral health and hygiene. As of October 12th, 2018 there are currently 44 students being served; however due to student not returning permission slips for service, the numbers have decreased. As of October 12th, 2018 a total of 110 Pantry Pals backpacks have been distributed to student participants at Felton Laboratory Charter School and Calhoun County School District. Established an open purchase order and partnership with Piggly Wiggly Grocery Store located in Orangeburg, SC. Incorporate SC State Social Work students to earn community service hours by working with the Pantry Pals food pantry at the grant project sites.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Lakeisa Tucker, Allison Dixon, Jamie Rogers.The 21st Annual School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA) Conference, held at the Hyatt Regency in Columbus, Ohio on March 13-15, 2018.
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Progress 05/16/17 to 09/30/17
Outputs
Target Audience: The target audience for this project included students and their families in Orangeburg (Felton Laboratory Charter School) and Calhoun County schools that have been identified and are in need of resources to address food insecurity. The target schools range from K -12 for Calhoun county and K-8 for Felton Laboratory Charter School. This project aimed at providing trainings to teachers, staff and administrators to provide them with the knowledge, and skills needed to help the target group. The project partnered with various supermarkets, farmers and food cooperative to help support the grant project with the food pantry and backpack program. The racial and ethnic makeup of the project sites are majority African-American. At St. Matthews K-8 with 28 African -American; (5) five bi-racial (2 boys and 3 girls); Calhoun County High School (2) Caucasian males; (3) African Americans (1 male and 2 females). All recipients of the grant project activities within the Calhoun County School District receive free meals (breakfast and lunch) due to the Community Eligibility Provision Program (CEP) where all children within the Calhoun County District eat their meals for free. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Since grant implementation training and professional development has been provided to the following: Felton Laboratory Charter School Board Meeting (July 13, 2017); Felton Laboratory Professional Development Training on July 17, 2017; Felton Laboratory Charter School received training on August 2, 2017(15 participants); Sandy Run K8 received training on August 2, 2017; the social worker conducted grade level meeting with teachers on September 11, 2017 ( 22 people); Calhoun County District Administrators received training on August 8, 2017 (12 participants); On September 5, 2017 the social worker conducted a training with teachers and staff (51); Faculty Meeting with teachers on September 7, 2017(33); September 22, 2017 a training was conducted at Calhoun County High School (33 participants) The Social Worker presented to teachers at Calhoun County High School on October 31, 2017(32 participants). On August 28, 2017 South Carolina State University Social Work students volunteered a total of 323.3 hours during the 2016-2017 grant cycle. Monday, November 14th 2017- MANNRS Presentation; undergraduate research assistant conducted a presentation in Alabama with MANNRS titled "A Social Worker's Role in Improving Food Insecurity to Promote Healthy Student Development through School-Based Services (November 2-3, 2017). During the 2016-2017 grant cycle, 286 individuals have been trained by the social worker. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Conference Presentation: Alishia R. Walker and Lakeisa Tucker (2017). A Social Worker's Role in Improving Food Insecurity through School-Based Services. 75th Annual Professional Agricultural Worker's Conference, Tuskegee, AL, December 6, 2017. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Revitalize garden at the projects sites in order to provide opportunities for students to learn about agriculture, make healthier food choices, and become better nourished. Plan and implement summer culinary camp for at least 20 students in order to have an opportunity to learn about handling food properly, preparing healthy foods, and reduce food insecurity June 2018. Develop posters to put at each project site to promote and increase awareness to students and parents about the Pantry Pals back pack program. Increase the number of program participants for the Pantry Pals programs at project sites. Conduct surveys from parents, students and educators in order begin collecting and analyzing data about the impact of grant activities, make improvements that are warranted based on the results. Increase engagement of community partners and farmers to assist in developing spring garden at project sites by March 2018.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Food insecurity has become a national, yet social problem. Schools have tried developed strategies aimed at reducing food insecurity, but have not been able to sustain them. This grant proposes a school-based program to address food insecurity of public school students that reside in rural areas (Orangeburg and Calhoun counties) initiatives that will enhance participation in food programs and increase access to food to address food insecurity. Research indicates that there is a direct link to the lack of food as it related to behavior, academics and attendance in school. Many students are experiencing food insecurity in these counties. For some students, breakfast and lunch are the only meals that they receive during the school day. Sometimes they do not have food on the weekend. This project is looking to close this gap and help seek ways in which schools can continue to sustain the food pantry in order to serve students in need. These counties have a diverse racial and ethnic make-up. In Calhoun County there are 700 children experiencing food insecurity; Orangeburg County there are 5,410 children experiencing food insecurity. We chose to focus on these areas because of the lack of programs and school funding is making it impossible to have these programs, but they are needed. a. Identify students and families experiencing food insecurity, assess their needs, and link them with services. Each school site has received referrals form approved by IRB since the grant started; we have received a total 74 referrals from project sites. (b) Improve nutrition of students and families through school-based programs and nutrition education. We have been able to provide back packs to students in Calhoun County since October 13, 2017 on the 2 & 4 Fridays of each month. Calhoun County High School we have distributed 35 food back packs. St. Matthews K-8we have distributed 131 back packs (c)Increase access to nutritious, affordable food for students and families vulnerable to becoming food insecure in project schools. Social worker developed community resources booklet and distributed to grants site for parents and teachers to have access to resources.Each site received 50 resources booklets. Social Worker developed a partnership with Downtown Orangeburg Revitalization Association (DORA) farmers to participate in selling produce at the grant sites to allow accessibility to students and their families. We have been able to engage several community and campus partners that donated can goods and other non-perishable food items to help begin the school pantries for our grant sites. St. Matthews K-8 donated can goods and non-perishable items (931). Felton Laboratory charter School a total of can goods and non-perishable items (841). Dwight's Auto body shop has been donating on weekly basis since 10/24/2017; The Eleventh Hour Missionary Baptist Church donated food items on October 9, 2017; Food Lion in Santee, South Carolina donated a $ 25 dollar store gift card and donated 10 holiday Hunger boxes. St. George Presbyterian Church/ William Chapel AME Church. We also received a$1000 grant form ALDI; TRIO/GEAR UP program donated 460 pantry items
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Alishia R. Walker and Lakeisa Tucker (2017). A Social Workers Role in Improving Food Insecurity through School-Based Services. 75th Annual Professional Agricultural Workers Conference, Tuskegee, AL, December 6, 2017.
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