The Community Nutrition Education (CNE) Logic Model applies a socio-ecological approach to support a broad continuum of intervention strategies and outcomes over time. The three levels of intervention are: individual, family, or household level; institution, organization, or community level; and social structure/policy level. Outcomes are reported as: short-term, where knowledge is gained and/or skills are developed; medium term, where behaviors have been adopted; and, long term, where health, financial, and/or social conditions have changed.
In addition, this model is designed to:
- reflect performance based budgeting what comes from the investment made;
- be theory driven, using a socio-ecological approach;
- be politically astute, respecting the voices and understanding the pressures upon all sources of financial and other types of support (e.g. FNS, other federal agencies, universities, state and local partners);
- be comprehensive, clear and easy to understand after training;
- be helpful to universities and the federal government serving both state and national interests;
- and keep program managers focused on the ultimate goal, to provide educational programs and social marketing activities that increase the likelihood of people making healthy food choices consistent with the most recent dietary advice as reflected in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the Food Guidance System with special attention to people with limited budget.
Development and Testing of the CNE Logic Model
Creation of the Community Nutrition Education (CNE) Logic Model has been a dynamic process, with experienced researchers, evaluators, and program managers developing and refining the model based on literature reviews, stakeholder input, and analysis of state data gathered for pilot and national testing.
SNAP-Ed was identified as a prototype in developing and testing this model for community nutrition education programs. Given its grass roots emergence, rapid growth, complex delivery and funding structures, and variability in impact evaluation methods, SNAP-Ed seemed ideal for examining the ability of the model to inform multiple stakeholders, guide program planning, focus evaluation efforts, and identify pertinent researchable questions.
Enhancing Program Performance with Logic Models, a web-based training course on the use of logic models, was created in 2002 by the University of Wisconsin extension in conjunction with development of the CNE Logic Model. Further refinements led to a second and third version of the model and incorporation into an online program management/reporting system. The CNE Logic Model, Version 3 can be viewed as an overview graphic (PDF) or with its accompanying detail, full-logic model.