2018 National EFNEP Coordinators' Conference

Introduction: EFNEP in other states have different methods for streamlining social media posts, but many may not have a mechanism for setting-up, maintaining, and sustaining a social media presence. Expanding on the national social media guidelines, this project aims to help EFNEP state offices develop a system for county offices to develop and submit content to the state social media team for publishing. Methodology: The first step was to conduct background research examining various approaches to operationalizing social media. Interns adapted the CDC’s Clear Communication Index and EFNEP Social Media Vetting Instrument to create the Maryland EFNEP Social Media Form that regional coordinators are using to develop content for “sponsoring” social media campaign posts and success stories before submitting to the state office. Interns are then responsible for editing and finalizing the posts. Maryland EFNEP will continue to sustain their social media efforts by training new School of Public Health and Dietetics interns to update and maintain their social media pages. Outcomes: A mechanism was developed to generate sustainable, evidence-based social media posts and to highlight existing EFNEP activities and partnerships across the state without expending additional time and resources.