Eat Smart, Play Smart

- A Manual for Out of School Hours Care

The Heart Foundation’s OSHC Nutrition and Physical Activity Project

Ernestine van HerwerdenClaire Flanagan

National Heart Foundation of Australia (Victorian Division)

Project Goal

To increase awareness of healthy eating and physical activity among staff working in Victorian Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) programs; and parents and children using Victorian OSHC programs.

Project Description (1)

• Needs Assessment (n=25)

– esp with programs in rural/regional and socio-economically disadvantaged areas

• Resource development – draft manual– Pilot (n=50) and expert feedback (n>10)– Edit, design and print (n=800)

• Launch and associated media/PR

Project description (2)

• Implementation and dissemination– order forms used to collect baseline data– targeted mail outs

• Evaluation– Baseline (n=426)– Controls (n=70)– Wave 1 follow up (n=294)– Wave 2 follow up (n=215+49)– Qualititative site visits (n=7)

• Professional development and training• Ongoing targeted PR activities

Project Impact

• Uptake by ~700 VIC OSHC programs • High reach

• Satisfaction with content and layout

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Content Layout

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Satisfied

Satisfaction at 3 mths

Satisfaction at 6-9 mths

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Still 96% satisfaction

Project Impact

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a) We now offer agreater variety ofphysical activities

b) I've learned newthings about

nutrition for children

c) I’ve learned newthings about

physical activity forchildren

d) We are nowserving more

healthy food choicesthan we were before

e) I knew most ofwhat was in themanual already

Percentage of R

espondents

Disagree

Neither Agree or Disagree

Agree

Project Impact

• High reach– 55% voluntary uptake by sector– 700 Victorian OSHC programs – Over 18,000 Victorian children

• High satisfaction• Sustained satisfaction

• Changes in practice as a result of project:– 83% learned new things about nutrition– 71% learned new things about physical activity – 69% offer a greater variety of physical activities – 67% serve healthier food choices

Contextual factors

• Enthusiasm of individuals, stakeholders and sector

• Partnerships and collaboration throughout project period

• Introduction of Quality Assurance

• Launch by Federal Health Minister

• Media priorities

Community engagement

• FACILITATORS:– Large need in under-resourced sector– Identification of mutual benefit opportunities– Introduction of Quality Assurance System – Key stakeholder support and ‘word of mouth’– Media interest (esp targeted local and regional media

and PR)

• BARRIERS:– Working hours – Resources / capacity

Evaluation

• Enhanced understanding of sector specific issues• Tells a ‘good story’• Realignment of project plan / strategies• Assisted with project momentum / staff motivation• Identified project strengths and weaknesses• Helped support funding submissions

Sustainability

• FACILITATORS:– Comprehensive stand

alone resource manual– Library copies– Web based resources– Key stakeholder &

sector involvement throughout

– Quality Assurance– Evaluation findings

• BARRIERS:– Lack of sector

coordination re: training– Resources

Next time

• Realistic budgets and timelines• Increase project officer EFT allocation• Keep it simple• Apply for further funding earlier (if possible)

Contact details

Ernestine van Herwerden / Claire Flanagan

National Heart Foundation of Australia

(Victorian Division)

411 King Street

West Melbourne VIC 3003

Phone (03) 9329 8511

Fax (03) 9321 1574

Claire.Flanagan@heartfoundation.com.au

evh@heartfoundation.com.au