Progress 09/01/18 to 02/28/23
Outputs
Target Audience:1-Title of the conference: "Healthy People, Healthy Community: Exploring Future Careers", September 20-21, 2019 Conference overview: This conference was a collaborative initiative to recruit students into degree programs and career fields that are critical in meeting the workforce demand in sustainable agriculture, food systems, and social services related to nutrition and health in a region characterized by high rates of poverty, obesity, diabetes and other nutrition-related diseases. Introducing topics related to food systems, sustainable agriculture and healthy nutrition, the conference showcases the wide range of careers available to promote health through food production and distribution, food systems policy, and dietary and lifestyle choices. The conference aimed to educate participants about disease prevention through nutrition, raise awareness of professional roles in increasing the availability and accessibility of healthy food options for low-income families, and recruit students into careers in sustainable agriculture, food systems, and social work and other human services aimed at promoting sound nutritional practices and healthy lifestyle choices. We recruited 300 individuals in total. In collaboration with Region One Education Service Center, and Edinburg School District, we recruited 200 high school students. The students all were from the disadvataged areas of the Rio Grande Valley. Almost all of them were high schooljuniors and seniors and ready to choose their future careers.In collaboration with South Texas College, we recruited 50 college students who were interested in agriculture and health professions.In collaboration with Rio Grande Valley community organizations, we recruited 50 professional social workers in the communitywho worked in school and health related agencies. In total, 330 individuals were in the conference. The additional numbers included the conference administrators, volunteers, and the presenters. The presenters were Chelsea Chang, MD, FACP, Aislynn Campbell, Kristina Edwards, Alex Racelis, Ph.D., Carlos Ortiz, Ph.D., Ruby de la Garza, MBA., Marta De Angulo, JD., Cruz Salinas., Juan Raygoza., Eugenia Curet, Ph.D., Thalia Morin Reyna., Andrea Valdez, MPH., Ian Werkheiser, Ph.D., Nabi de Angulo, LMSW., Marta de Angulo., Areeb Masood., Shakera Raygoza., Leyla Feize, Ph.D. LCSW., Panelists in the conference were: Christopher Gabler, Ph.D., Alexis Racelis, Ph.D., Christopher M. Ledingham, Ph.D., Ruby de la Garza, MBA., Aisha Cruz Reyes., Nabi de Angulo, LMSW. They were from many organizations including: USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (Washington, DC), Texas A&M University, USDA Office of Partnerships & Public Engagement, Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) National Program, UTRGV School of Medicine, UTRGV Department of Philosophy, UTRGV Department of Science, UTRGV Department of Health and Human Performance, UTRGV Department of Health and Biomedical Sciences, UTRGV Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Advancement (SARA), UTRGV School of Earth, Environmental and Marine Sciences, UTRGV School of Social Work, and Rio Grande Valley community organizations. Administrators of the conference respectively were: Leyla Feize, Ph.D., LCSW.,UTRGV School of Social Work, Catherine Faver, Ph.D., LMSW, UTRGV School of Social WorkJohn Gonzalez, Ph.D., LMSW, UTGV School of Social Work, Eugenia Curet, Ph.D., LCSW, UTRGV School of Medicine, Romeo Escobar, Ph.D., LCSW, ACSW, UTRGV School of Social Work, George Bennack, UTRGV Research and Graduate Studies, Ruby De La Garza, MBA, USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement, Carlos Lago, UTRGV Research and Graduate Studies, Modesta Salinas, MBA, UTRGV School of Medicine, Sandra Stark, MSSW, UTRGV School of Social Work Enedina Enriquez, LCSW, UTRGV School of Social Work. UTRGV School of Social Work Students Association and more than 20 volunteer students assisted with managing and guiding the conference participants. 2-Title of the conference:"Healthy People, Healthy Community: Exploring Future Careers II", November 8th, 2022 The second conference was a follow-up of the first conference. Therefore, the goals of the conference were as same as the first conference which is mentioned above. We recruited 90 high school students in collaboration with Mission Consolidated Independent School District - MCISD. The students all were from the disadvantaged areas of the Rio Grande Valley. Almost all of them were high schooljuniors and seniors and ready to choose their future careers. The rest were community members, and UTRGV faculty and students. In total, 135 individuals attended the conference.The conference was in person for the high school students, community members and the presenters. UTRGV faculty and students could attend the conference via zoom platform. The additional numbers included the conference administrators, volunteers, and the presenters. The presenters were Chelsea Chang, MD, FACP, Marta De Angulo, JD., Cruz Salinas., Ian Werkheiser, Ph.D., Ms. Nabi De Angulo, LCSW, CCTP, CMHIMP., Marta de Angulo., Shakera Raygoza. Ana D' Escrivan MCN, RDN, LD, CDCES, Norma Beardwood-Roper MBA, M.Ed. We had three panels in the conference: First panel title- "How do we get locally grown citrus in schools?" panelists were Jesus & Mike Lozano, Robert Maggiani, Dr. Carol G. Perez; Carmen Ocanas-Lerma. Second panel title- "Promoting nutrition and sustainability across social contexts." Panelists consisted of Lisa Salinas, Ph.D., RDN, LD, Dr. Marta DeAngulo, JD; Shakera Raygoza; Hernan Colmenero. Third panel title: Careers in health and sustainable agriculture. The panelists included Ruby De La Garza MD, Nabi De Angulo, LCSW, CCTP, CMHIMP; Tamer Oraby, Ph.D. Jose Escamilla; Noelia Alonzo. The presenters and panelists in the conference wee from, Institute for Ecology, Scholarship, and Health, UTRGV School of Medicine, UTRGV Department of Philosophy, UTRGV Department of Science, UTRGV Department of Health and Biomedical Sciences, UTRGV Center for Sustainable Agriculture, UTRGV School of Social Work, and Rio Grande Valley and Oklahoma community organizations. Administrators of the conference respectively were Leyla Feize, Ph.D., LCSW.,UTRGV School of Social Work,Catherine Faver, Ph.D., LMSW,UTRGV School of Social Work; Luis Torres-Hostos, UTRGV School of Social Work Noelia Alonzo, LMSW, BSW, A.A.T; UTRGV School of Social Work; Marisol Guerra, UTRGV School of Social Work; Alexis Racelis UTRGV department of Biology; Hernán Colmenero, MPH, Institute for Ecology, Scholarship, and Health; Roberts, Sharon A, Mission CISD; Escamilla, Jose, Mission CISD; Jeremy San Miguel, UTRGV Office for Sustainability; Ruby De La Garza, MBA,USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement. UTRGV School of Social Work Students and UTRGV Office for Sustainability assisted with managing and guiding the conference participants. Changes/Problems:First conference in September 2019: In the process of preparing for the conference, we realized that we needed to work more hours that we anticipated ( we worked daily during theasummer of 2019), and we also needed more personals to assist us. Therefore,in order to cover the expenses,with theassistance of the university grant sponsorship office , we decided to propose NIFA a revised budget. Second conference in November 2022: During the early pandemic we did not have any activities. In early 2021, we requested a no cost extension to administer another conference. After NIFA's approval, we started to plan the second conference. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?First conference in Semptember2019: Through experiential learning, high school ,college students and the professionals learned Yogameditation to deal with their daily life stressors. They were provided a step by step meditation pamphletto use whenever they needed. Through experiential learning, participantslearned how to prepare a suitable soil, create the drip irriguation and choose the climate adjusted seeds to plantin their homes, apartments andschools. At the end, they took their projects home. The participants learned how toprepareand cookhealthy food step bystep. At the end, they consumedtheir self-made healthy food. The professionals obtained14 credit hours of ContinuingEducation Unit (CEU) at the endofthe conference. Second conference:Exhibiting students' posters on agriculture and providing brochures on scholarship opportunities on agriculture, nutrition, and social work at UTRGV. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?First conference in Semptember2019: Four methods of presentation, demonstration, hand on activities and video were used in the conference. Two hundred fifty students from the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) disadvantaged community learned how to pursue healthy lifestyle; they were presented information about a variety of available health and agriculture related professions to pursue for their future careers, if they chose to.They practiced through hands on activities on how to do gardening and, they learned how to prepare healthy food. These students would disseminate what they learned and share the information within the community. Fifty professionals learned about the sighnificance of healthy lifestyle and methods of motivating the community members to pursue healthy lifestyle that helps prevent diseases sucha as obsity and diabetes which is highly common in RGV. These professionals would additioally advocate for environmental justice in the community. Second conference in 2022:Methods of presentation, exhibition of posters and providing handouts brochures were used in the conference. The main audience were high school students, and they will use their knowledge to raise awareness in the Rio Grande Valley community. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
First conference in Semptember2019: Objectives High school and community college students and multidisciplinary professionals will gain knowledge and understanding on prevention of obesity and diabetes through proper nutrition. High school and community college students and multidisciplinary professionals will increase knowledge of best practices in farm-to-school and school gardening programs for implementation in the region's schools. High school and community college students and multidisciplinary professionals will have an increased awareness of the role of social workers in increasing the availability and accessibility of healthy food options for low-income families in the region through advocacy, community development, and direct services. High school and community college students will leave the conference with knowledge of careers in social work and nutrition and food related fields. Based on the above objectives of the conference, the following were the expected outcomes: Expected Outcomes Objective #1 A minimum of 75% of the high school and community college students and a minimum of 85% of multidisciplinary professionals who attend the conference will gain new knowledge and understanding on prevention of obesity and diabetes through proper nutrition. Objective #2 A minimum of 75% of the high school and community college students and a minimum of 85% of multidisciplinary professionals who attend the conference will gain new knowledge of best practices in farm-to-school and school gardening programs for implementation in the region's schools. Objective #3 A minimum of 75% of the high school and community college students and a minimum of 85% of multidisciplinary professionals attending the conference will gain an increased awareness of the role of social workers in increasing the availability and accessibility of healthy food options for low-income families in the region through advocacy, community development, and direct services. Objective #4 A minimum of 75% of high school and community college students will gain knowledge of careers in social work, nutrition, and food related fields. Methodology In order to measure conference participants' knowledge of nutrition, healthy life styles, prevention of diabetes, obesity, farm to school and school gardening programs, and careers in social work, nursing, and nutrition and food related fields, a pretest and posttest was administered prior to the beginning of the conference and at the end of the conference. Each participant received the survey as they signed in to attend the conference with a participant number. At the end of the conference, participants were again administered the survey with the same participant number to compare the results. The goal of the pre and post knowledge survey was to capture the knowledge gained from attending the conference. The Knowledge Survey was a six-question survey using a Likert Scale of 1 to 5 where 1 was "none", 2 was "a little amount", 3 was "some amount", 4 was "good amount", and 5 was "most amount". The following questions were included in the survey: What is your knowledge of foods increase risk of chronic diseases? What is your knowledge of foods reduce risk of chronic diseases? What is your knowledge of organic farming? What is your knowledge of sustainable agriculture? What is your knowledge of the role of social workers in creating sustainable solutions for holistic health? What is your knowledge on career options associated with health professions? Results and Evaluation Surveys were collected by designated staff of the university who were involved in the coordination of the conference. Of the total surveys distributed at the beginning of the conference, only 74 surveys were complete pre and posttests with the same participant number. The other surveys collected could not be used since they were either pretests or posttests and could not be matched with the same participant number, so they were marked invalid surveys. Of the 74 valid surveys, 51 surveys were from students and 23 surveys were from professional attendees. The following results were found: Question # 1 18 of the 23 professional surveys had an increase in knowledge of 78% and 35 of the 51 student surveys had an increase in knowledge of 67%. The overall increase in knowledge for question 1 was 72%. Question #2 19 of the 23 professional surveys had an increase in knowledge of 83% and 38 of the 51 student surveys had an increase in knowledge of 75%. The overall increase in knowledge for question 2 was 77%. Question #3 19 of the 23 professional surveys had an increase in knowledge of 83% and 36 of the 51 student surveys had an increase in knowledge of 71%. The overall increase in knowledge for question 3 was 74%, Question #4 19 of the 23 professional surveys had an increase in knowledge of 83% and 35 of the 51 student surveys had an increase in knowledge of 67%. The overall increase in knowledge for question 4 was 73%. Question #5 18 of the 23 professional surveys had an increase in knowledge of 78% and 41 of the 51 student surveys had an increase in knowledge of 80%. The overall increase in knowledge for question 5 was 80%. Question #6 15 of the 23 professional surveys had an increase in knowledge of 65% and 25 of the 51 student surveys had an increase in knowledge of 49%. The overall increase in knowledge for question 6 was 54%. Results indicate there was an increase in knowledge in every question in the survey. While there was an increase in knowledge in every question asked in the survey, the results did not quite meet the expected outcome percentages possibly attributed to the number of invalid surveys that were not able to be used in the calculations of the results because of their lack of completion. Second conference in November2022: A survey was provided to the participants to evaluate the presenters and their topics in both hand outs and barcode scanners. One third of the participants evaluated the conference presenters. 32% of the participants ranked high the presenters who presented on prevention of obesity and diabetes through proper nutrition. 32% of the participants ranked high the presenters who presented on farm-to-school and school gardening programs. 10% of the participants ranked high the presenters who presented on the role of social workers in increasing the availability and accessibility of healthy food options for low-income families in the region through advocacy, community development, and direct services increased. 26% of the participants ranked high the presenters who presented on the careers in social work, nutrition and food. Summary: The presenters were supposed to evaluate all presenters; however, they mainly evaluated the presenters based on their preferred topic. The results indicate that the participants were most interested in nutrition, farming and gardening topics.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/18 to 01/11/21
Outputs
Target Audience:Title of the conference: "Healthy People, Healthy Community: Exploring Future Careers", September 20-21, 2019 Conference overview: This conference was a collaborative initiative to recruit students into degree programs and career fields that are critical in meeting the workforce demand in sustainable agriculture, food systems, and social services related to nutrition and health in a region characterized by high rates of poverty, obesity, diabetes and other nutrition-related diseases. Introducing topics related to food systems, sustainable agriculture and healthy nutrition, the conference showcases the wide range of careers available to promote health through food production and distribution, food systems policy, and dietary and lifestyle choices. The conference aimed to educate participants about disease prevention through nutrition, raise awareness of professional roles in increasing the availability and accessibility of healthy food options for low-income families, and recruit students into careers in sustainable agriculture, food systems, and social work and other human services aimed at promoting sound nutritional practices and healthy lifestyle choices. We recruited 300 individuals in total. In collaboration with Region One Education Service Center, and Edinburg School District, we recruited 200 high school students. The students all were from the disadvataged areas of the Rio Grande Valley. Almost all of them were high schooljuniors and seniors and ready to choose their future careers.In collaboration with South Texas College, we recruited 50 college students who were interested in agriculture and health professions.In collaboration with Rio Grande Valley community organizations, we recruited 50 professional social workers in the communitywho worked in school and health related agencies. In total, 330 individuals were in the conference. The additional numbers included the conference administrators, volunteers, and the presenters. The presenters were Chelsea Chang, MD, FACP, Aislynn Campbell, Kristina Edwards, Alex Racelis, Ph.D., Carlos Ortiz, Ph.D., Ruby de la Garza, MBA., Marta De Angulo, JD., Cruz Salinas., Juan Raygoza., Eugenia Curet, Ph.D., Thalia Morin Reyna., Andrea Valdez, MPH., Ian Werkheiser, Ph.D., Nabi de Angulo, LMSW., Marta de Angulo., Areeb Masood., Shakera Raygoza., Leyla Feize, Ph.D. LCSW., Panelists in the conference were: Christopher Gabler, Ph.D., Alexis Racelis, Ph.D., Christopher M. Ledingham, Ph.D., Ruby de la Garza, MBA., Aisha Cruz Reyes., Nabi de Angulo, LMSW. They were from many organizations including: USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (Washington, DC), Texas A&M University, USDA Office of Partnerships & Public Engagement, Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) National Program, UTRGV School of Medicine, UTRGV Department of Philosophy, UTRGV Department of Science, UTRGV Department of Health and Human Performance, UTRGV Department of Health and Biomedical Sciences, UTRGV Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Advancement (SARA), UTRGV School of Earth, Environmental and Marine Sciences, UTRGV School of Social Work, and Rio Grande Valley community organizations. Administrators of the conference respectively were: Leyla Feize, Ph.D., LCSW.,UTRGV School of Social Work, Catherine Faver, Ph.D., LMSW, UTRGV School of Social WorkJohn Gonzalez, Ph.D., LMSW, UTGV School of Social Work, Eugenia Curet, Ph.D., LCSW, UTRGV School of Medicine, Romeo Escobar, Ph.D., LCSW, ACSW, UTRGV School of Social Work, George Bennack, UTRGV Research and Graduate Studies, Ruby De La Garza, MBA, USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement, Carlos Lago, UTRGV Research and Graduate Studies, Modesta Salinas, MBA, UTRGV School of Medicine, Sandra Stark, MSSW, UTRGV School of Social Work Enedina Enriquez, LCSW, UTRGV School of Social Work. UTRGV School of Social Work Students Association and more than 20 volunteer students assisted with managing and guiding the conference participants. Changes/Problems:In the process of preparing for the conference, we realized that we needed to work more hours that we anticipated ( we worked daily during theasummer of 2019), and we also needed more personals to assist us. Therefore,in order to cover the expenses,with theassistance of the university grant sponsorship office , we decided to propose NIFA a revised budget. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Through experiential learning, high school ,college students and the professionals learned Yogameditation to deal with their daily life stressors. They were provided a step by step meditation pamphletto use whenever they needed. Through experiential learning, participantslearned how to prepare a suitable soil, create the drip irriguation and choose the climate adjusted seeds to plantin their homes, apartments andschools. At the end, they took their projects home. The participants learned how toprepareand cookhealthy food step bystep. At the end, they consumedtheir self-made healthy food. The professionals obtained14 credit hours of ContinuingEducation Unit (CEU) at the endofthe conference. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Four methods of presentation, demonstration, hand on activities and video were used in the conference. Two hundred fifty students from the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) disadvantaged community learned how to pursue healthy lifestyle; they were presented information about a variety of available health and agriculture related professions to pursue for their future careers, if they chose to.They practiced through hands on activities on how to do gardening and, they learned how to prepare healthy food. These students would disseminate what they learned and share the information within the community. Fifty professionals learned about the sighnificance of healthy lifestyle and methods of motivating the community members to pursue healthy lifestyle that helps prevent diseases sucha as obsity and diabetes which is highly common in RGV. These professionals would additioally advocate for environmental justice in the community. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Objectives High school and community college students and multidisciplinary professionals will gain knowledge and understanding on prevention of obesity and diabetes through proper nutrition. High school and community college students and multidisciplinary professionals will increase knowledge of best practices in farm-to-school and school gardening programs for implementation in the region's schools. High school and community college students and multidisciplinary professionals will have an increased awareness of the role of social workers in increasing the availability and accessibility of healthy food options for low-income families in the region through advocacy, community development, and direct services. High school and community college students will leave the conference with knowledge of careers in social work and nutrition and food related fields. Based on the above objectives of the conference, the following were the expected outcomes: Expected Outcomes Objective #1 A minimum of 75% of the high school and community college students and a minimum of 85% of multidisciplinary professionals who attend the conference will gain new knowledge and understanding on prevention of obesity and diabetes through proper nutrition. Objective #2 A minimum of 75% of the high school and community college students and a minimum of 85% of multidisciplinary professionals who attend the conference will gain new knowledge of best practices in farm-to-school and school gardening programs for implementation in the region's schools. Objective #3 A minimum of 75% of the high school and community college students and a minimum of 85% of multidisciplinary professionals attending the conference will gain an increased awareness of the role of social workers in increasing the availability and accessibility of healthy food options for low-income families in the region through advocacy, community development, and direct services. Objective #4 A minimum of 75% of high school and community college students will gain knowledge of careers in social work, nutrition, and food related fields. Methodology In order to measure conference participants' knowledge of nutrition, healthy life styles, prevention of diabetes, obesity, farm to school and school gardening programs, and careers in social work, nursing, and nutrition and food related fields, a pretest and posttest was administered prior to the beginning of the conference and at the end of the conference. Each participant received the survey as they signed in to attend the conference with a participant number. At the end of the conference, participants were again administered the survey with the same participant number to compare the results. The goal of the pre and post knowledge survey was to capture the knowledge gained from attending the conference. The Knowledge Survey was a six-question survey using a Likert Scale of 1 to 5 where 1 was "none", 2 was "a little amount", 3 was "some amount", 4 was "good amount", and 5 was "most amount". The following questions were included in the survey: What is your knowledge of foods increase risk of chronic diseases? What is your knowledge of foods reduce risk of chronic diseases? What is your knowledge of organic farming? What is your knowledge of sustainable agriculture? What is your knowledge of the role of social workers in creating sustainable solutions for holistic health? What is your knowledge on career options associated with health professions? Results and Evaluation Surveys were collected by designated staff of the university who were involved in the coordination of the conference. Of the total surveys distributed at the beginning of the conference, only 74 surveys were complete pre and posttests with the same participant number. The other surveys collected could not be used since they were either pretests or posttests and could not be matched with the same participant number, so they were marked invalid surveys. Of the 74 valid surveys, 51 surveys were from students and 23 surveys were from professional attendees. The following results were found: Question # 1 18 of the 23 professional surveys had an increase in knowledge of 78% and 35 of the 51 student surveys had an increase in knowledge of 67%. The overall increase in knowledge for question 1 was 72%. Question #2 19 of the 23 professional surveys had an increase in knowledge of 83% and 38 of the 51 student surveys had an increase in knowledge of 75%. The overall increase in knowledge for question 2 was 77%. Question #3 19 of the 23 professional surveys had an increase in knowledge of 83% and 36 of the 51 student surveys had an increase in knowledge of 71%. The overall increase in knowledge for question 3 was 74%, Question #4 19 of the 23 professional surveys had an increase in knowledge of 83% and 35 of the 51 student surveys had an increase in knowledge of 67%. The overall increase in knowledge for question 4 was 73%. Question #5 18 of the 23 professional surveys had an increase in knowledge of 78% and 41 of the 51 student surveys had an increase in knowledge of 80%. The overall increase in knowledge for question 5 was 80%. Question #6 15 of the 23 professional surveys had an increase in knowledge of 65% and 25 of the 51 student surveys had an increase in knowledge of 49%. The overall increase in knowledge for question 6 was 54%. Results indicate there was an increase in knowledge in every question in the survey. While there was an increase in knowledge in every question asked in the survey, the results did not quite meet the expected outcome percentages possibly attributed to the number of invalid surveys that were not able to be used in the calculations of the results because of their lack of completion.
Publications
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