Overview
EFNEP legislation designates the use of a peer educator (paraprofessional) model. Peer educators deliver a series of hands-on, interactive lessons to program participants. Lessons are evidence-based and tailored to meet the needs of the audience.
Peer educators typically live in the communities where they work. They recruit families and receive referrals from current and former participants, neighborhood contacts, and community organizations and agencies. Peer educators are trained, supervised, and supported by university and locally based professionals with programmatic and discipline expertise. Volunteers may assist with program delivery.
New Coordinator Guide
The EFNEP New Coordinator Guide was designed to provide an overview of EFNEP and to assist new coordinators as they begin their position. This resource includes information such as: the structure of EFNEP within USDA and the Land-grant University system, annual reporting requirements, communication channels, and other important information. This resource page also includes training slides from an overview call with new EFNEP Coordinators.
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EFNEP Basics - New Coordinator Guide - rev 04.01.2016.pdf (pdf - 897.17 KB)
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EFNEP Basics for New Coordinators |
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New Coordinator Call Slides - revised 04.01.2016.pdf (pdf - 769.67 KB)
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New Coordinators Guide - Slides |
Core Competencies
Core competencies are used to help state program leadership, supervisors and peer educators (paraprofessionals) achieve success in their respective roles, and to guide hiring, training, and program management decisions. Development and use of core competencies in EFNEP and SNAP-ED began in 2001.
Between 2019 and 2021, a national research team was convened by Susan Baker, Colorado State University to review and update existing EFNEP and SNAP-Ed coordinator, supervisor, and paraprofessional core competencies. Team members included Susan Baker, Leslie Cunningham-Sabo, Karen L. Franck, Janet Mullins, Easter H. Tucker, and Katie McGirr. Also contributing were expert panels of state coordinators, local supervisors, and paraprofessional staff that were recommended. Prepared for Cooperative Extension Service directors/administrators and program staff and funded through a national land-grant university SNAP-Ed assessment.
Historical Background
In 2001, a national committee was convened to identify core competencies for state program coordinators under the direction of Larry Jones, Karen Konzelmann, and Wells Willis (former National Program Leaders). Gloria Green facilitated development of these competencies, and Terry Egan created an orientation manual, mentoring handbook, and core competency resource list, using the core competencies as a frame of reference.
In 2005, Susan Baker and Meredith Pearson provided leadership, along with Helen Chipman, in developing competencies for paraprofessional staff conducting SNAP-Ed. Also contributing were an expert panel of state coordinators and local supervisors, and paraprofessional staff that they recommended.
Core competencies can be found in the EFNEP Resource Website.
EFNEP Resource Website
This website is a centralized resource for learning, collaboration, and building strong EFNEP programs and where EFNEP leaders can share best practices, emerging strategies, and valuable knowledge with the EFNEP community.
Visit pageEFNEP Trainings
The National Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) Conference bringing together all 1862 and 1890 Land-grant Universities, Feb 20-23, 2024 in DC
The Web-Based Nutrition Education Evaluation and Reporting System (WebNEERS) is a secure system designed, hosted, and maintained by Clemson University. The system provides a variety of reports that are used to guide planning, manage programming, perform diagnostic assessments...
Training Resources
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Knowing and Following the Rules |
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Determine What and How to Teach |
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EFNEP Final Budget training slides, updated 2025. (pdf - 2.27 MB)
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EFNEP Final Budget & Budget JustificationFinal Budgets are due 45 days after allocations are approved. FY2025 Final Budgets were due May 12, 2025. |
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EFNEP Preliminary Budget training slides updated 2025. (pdf - 1.35 MB)
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EFNEP Preliminary Budget training slides, updated 2025.Next Fiscal Year's Preliminary Budgets are due every year on July 1. FY2026 Preliminary Budgets due July 1, 2025. |
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EFNEP 5-Year Plan & Annual Updates Training (pdf - 2.65 MB)
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5-Year Plan & Annual Updates TrainingThe 5-Year Plan is due July 1st every 5 years of the program. The Annual Updates are due July 1st every year the 5-Year plan is not submitted. |
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EFNEP Annual Updates training slides updated 2025 (pdf - 1.31 MB)
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EFNEP Annual Updates training slides, updated 2025Next Fiscal Year's Annual Updates are due every year on July 1. FY2026 Annual Updates due July 1, 2025. |
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New Resources and Program Impacts |
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Wrap Up Discussion: Leading with Vision |
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End of Year Data Submission Process Training Slides 2025 (pdf - 2.71 MB)
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End of Year Data Submission Process Training Slides Updated 2025. Submission due November 1, 2025. |