The complexity of PSE work stems from its multifaceted demands: coordinating across sectors, engaging with diverse stakeholders, and navigating varying community contexts. Recognizing that traditional nutrition education no longer suffices in driving broad, systemic change, the study authors concentrated on identifying the unique skill set required for implementers who operate beyond direct education, tasked with instigating environmental and policy reforms that reshape community health landscapes.

To capture this specialized expertise, the research employed the Developing a Curriculum (DACUM) method, a systematic approach that elicits detailed job analyses from experienced practitioners. The researchers convened a national panel composed of PSE implementers dedicating at least half of their professional efforts to this specialized work. This panel, representing a broad geographic and programmatic spectrum, contributed insights over a comprehensive 16-hour hybrid workshop that deeply probed the essential duties, tasks, knowledge, skills, tools, and behaviors underpinning effective PSE practice.

The outcome was a comprehensive delineation of nine core duty areas encompassing roughly 100 discrete tasks. These duties span crucial domains such as community capacity building, strategic planning, partnership development, evaluation, and administrative management. Particularly noteworthy is the inclusion of community capacity building as a core competency—an element that distinguishes SNAP-Ed PSE implementers from more traditional nutrition educators and reflects the necessity for empowering communities to actively participate in and sustain systemic changes.

Such a detailed competency framework addresses the substantial gap in workforce development for PSE initiatives. As lead author Dr. Sarah Misyak, a research assistant professor and assistant director at Virginia Tech, explains, the evolving landscape of public health demands a paradigm shift in professional preparation. “Skill sets required for effective policy and environmental change transcend direct education,” she emphasized. “Our framework equips agencies with a standardized, research-based roadmap to hire, train, and support workforce members who are capable of orchestrating complex, sustainable change.”

The validation and refinement process embedded in this study underscore its practical relevance. By grounding the framework in the real-world experiences of those implementing PSE programs, the competencies reflect both the challenges faced and the strategies that have succeeded across diverse implementation environments. This ensures the framework’s adaptability and robustness, essential for the dynamic and often unpredictable nature of systems-level public health work.

Moreover, the competencies offer actionable utility. Employing this framework, organizations can develop precise job descriptions that align candidate qualifications with the nuanced demands of PSE work. Such alignment is critically important to streamline recruitment processes, reduce misalignment and turnover, and ultimately enhance the efficacy of intervention programs through better human resource practices.

In addition, the framework serves as a foundational tool for internal capacity building. Agencies can use it to inform staff development initiatives, targeting identified gaps and fostering professional growth. This intentional investment in human capital is vital not only for programmatic success but also for mitigating employee burnout, a significant concern in high-demand fields requiring sustained motivation and resilience.

The implications extend beyond workforce development into academic training. Integration of these competencies into undergraduate and graduate curricula in nutrition and public health education promises to better prepare the next generation of professionals. By equipping emerging practitioners with well-defined competencies before entering the workforce, educational institutions can bridge the divide between theoretical learning and practical application in community-based PSE work.

This study also illuminates the broader value of competency frameworks in public health systems change. By codifying the multifarious expertises needed for effective implementation, it advances the premise that complex interventions require equally sophisticated workforce structures. It encourages a shift from ad hoc skill acquisition toward deliberate, evidence-informed human resource planning, which can catalyze lasting improvements in community nutrition and health outcomes.

Importantly, the participatory nature of this framework’s creation aligns with principles of workforce empowerment and stakeholder engagement. By involving implementers throughout the development process, the researchers ensured that competencies resonate with on-the-ground realities and reflect authentic, replicable professional standards. Such inclusivity not only enhances the validity of the framework but also its acceptance and adoption within the SNAP-Ed community and related sectors.

The study represents a critical step forward in conceptualizing and operationalizing the workforce behind sustainable, system-level nutrition interventions. As public health challenges grow in scale and complexity, so too must our strategies for preparing and supporting the professionals who drive change. The competencies laid out here provide a much-needed blueprint, steering workforce development toward a future where interventions are delivered by teams equipped with the strategic dexterity, technical knowledge, and community-centered agility required for meaningful, enduring impact.

As the public health community embraces this framework, potential ripple effects include greater program coherence, enhanced collaboration across sectors, and ultimately, more resilient community food systems. This progress is especially pertinent as SNAP-Ed and similar programs adapt to evolving contexts marked by shifting policy landscapes, emerging nutritional challenges, and the imperative for equity-focused, culturally responsive approaches.

In a field often characterized by fragmented professional roles and undefined expectations, this study’s comprehensive competency framework marks a milestone. It not only clarifies what effective PSE implementation entails but also provides a scalable toolset for cultivating expertise, fostering leadership, and sustaining momentum toward healthier communities. Its dissemination and implementation could catalyze transformative improvements in how nutrition and public health agencies recruit, train, and retain the workforce essential for policy, systems, and environmental progress.

Subject of Research: People

Article Title: Development of Core Competencies for Implementers of Policy, Systems, and Environmental Change Initiatives

News Publication Date: August 12, 2025

Web References:

• https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2025.03.007
• https://www.jneb.org/

References:
Misyak, S., et al. (2025). Development of Core Competencies for Implementers of Policy, Systems, and Environmental Change Initiatives. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. DOI: 10.1016/j.jneb.2025.03.007

Image Credits: Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior

Keywords: Policy, Systems, and Environmental Change; SNAP-Ed; Core Competencies; Workforce Development; Public Health Nutrition; Community Capacity Building; Program Evaluation; Systems-Level Interventions; Workforce Training; Employee Burnout; Nutrition Education; Public Health Workforce

In response to these disparities, the Grubhub Community Fund has generously contributed a $2 million grant to the American Heart Association’s Social Impact Funds. This initiative is primarily aimed at tackling issues surrounding food insecurity, fostering technological innovation, and bolstering economic resilience in metropolitan areas like New York City and Chicago. The collaboration between Grubhub and the American Heart Association illustrates a concerted effort to address some of the pressing health challenges faced by many communities today.

The grant represents an infusion of essential resources that can help bridge critical gaps in health care access and food security. Regina Benjamin, the chair of the Social Impact Funds Impact Investment Committee and former U.S. Surgeon General, elaborates on this mission, emphasizing how such support empowers communities to transcend barriers that inhibit equitable healthcare and socioeconomic equality. The notion that philanthropic efforts can be transformed into actionable change is a powerful message that resonates with stakeholders invested in public health.

The American Heart Association Social Impact Funds aim to allocate this new funding to a maximum of twelve organizations and entrepreneurs who are leading impactful initiatives in Chicago and New York City. By utilizing a proprietary sourcing and performance management process, the Fund will focus on amplifying efforts that contribute to improving health equity. A significant point of interest within these efforts pertains to the selection of organizations that have already been identified for support.

Among the organizations highlighted is CareYaya, a North Carolina-based marketplace designed to connect families with students in pre-health programs, thus addressing the urgent need for affordable and flexible in-home care. This initiative serves not only to enhance caregiving resources but also to expand the workforce in an era where caregiver shortages are increasingly critical. By employing innovative technology solutions, CareYaya effectively integrates community care into the fabric of healthcare delivery, offering potentially life-saving support in the home environment.

Similarly, Farm Generations Corporation, located in New York, plays a vital role in promoting agricultural sustainability while ensuring food access through a farmer-owned cooperative model. Their flagship innovation, GrownBy, is a direct-to-consumer e-commerce platform that couples technological advancement with community engagement. This model not only harnesses the power of the internet to facilitate food access but is also tailored to meet the rigorous standards of the SNAP program, thus augmenting food security among low-income populations.

Chicago’s Nectar further drives the narrative of innovation by blending food security with health outcomes. This platform recognizes the significance of nutrition in health management by providing access to food as medicine initiatives. By collaborating with charitable food organizations, Nectar emphasizes the integral role that proper nutrition plays in preventive health care while simultaneously enhancing community well-being. This holistic perspective on food as a vital component of health positions Nectar as a leader in the fight against food insecurity.

RiseKit, also based in Chicago, takes a unique approach by aiming to empower underrepresented talent through job training programs and community-based organizations. This software platform connects individuals to employment opportunities while addressing the broader social determinants of health. By improving economic outcomes for marginalized populations, RiseKit contributes to a larger goal of achieving health equity. Their efforts highlight the intersection of job training and public health, reinforcing the view that economic stability is a fundamental pillar of community health.

Grubhub’s commitment to social responsibility is reflected in their active role in supporting these initiatives, particularly in their largest market, New York City, and their hometown of Chicago. The collaboration with the American Heart Association marks a significant milestone in a shared vision to promote food security and enhance technological capacity in the nonprofit space. Through funding and strategic partnerships, Grubhub aims to manifest real, positive changes in the communities they serve, fostering environments where health equity is not just envisioned but actively pursued.

The selection process for organizations receiving funding from the Social Impact Funds is rigorous, emphasizing innovative, evidence-based approaches to health challenges. By aligning with the mission of the American Heart Association, these organizations are strategically positioned to make a lasting impact on the health landscape. Each funded program embodies a commitment to addressing not just health-related issues, but the underlying structural inequities that perpetuate disparities in health outcomes.

The broader implications of these initiatives may serve as a model for future collaborations between corporations and philanthropic organizations. By harnessing resources and expertise to address systemic health challenges, stakeholders can catalyze meaningful change in communities suffering from the effects of poor health outcomes and limited access to essential services. As these efforts unfold, they could inform policy changes and community strategies aimed at mitigating the deep-seated inequities that characterize the current public health landscape.

These groundbreaking initiatives shed light on the importance of integrating community-driven solutions within the framework of public health strategies. With funding being directed toward organizations that demonstrate measurable impact, there is an opportunity for transformative change at the grassroots level. By centering community voices in the development of health interventions, the dialogue around health equity transcends mere rhetoric, becoming action-oriented and results-driven.

While health disparities continue to present formidable challenges, the concerted efforts of organizations like Grubhub and the American Heart Association signal a promising shift toward a more equitable public health landscape. This evolving narrative reminds us that addressing social determinants of health requires collaborative action, innovative thinking, and a steadfast commitment to community well-being. As these partnerships grow, there lies the potential to redefine what it means to invest in health—not just in terms of medical care, but through holistic strategies that prioritize access, opportunity, and equity for all.

This evolving landscape of health equity not only demands innovation in service delivery but also calls for a reevaluation of how we define health and wellness within our communities. Moving forward, it is crucial that we continue to support initiatives that bridge the gap between healthcare, economic empowerment, and environmental sustainability. In this manner, we may truly create a world where optimal health is a realistic goal for individuals in every community, irrespective of their circumstances at birth.

Subject of Research: Social Determinants of Health
Article Title: Closing the Gap: Grant to American Heart Association Aims to Address Health Disparities
News Publication Date: February 19, 2025
Web References: Social Impact Funds
References: American Heart Association
Image Credits: N/A

Keywords: Social Determinants of Health, Health Equity, Food Security, Economic Empowerment, Community Health