Note: Regular text are FSNE national core competencies. Italicized purple text are skill-based training content as identified by the MO workgroup.

Understand the Organization

• Understand the mission of Extension within the Land Grant University System.
  • http://extension.missouri.edu/about/
  • http://extension.missouri.edu/about/history.shtml
• Understand and adopt the mission and goals of FNEP.
  • http://extension.missouri.edu/fnep/about.htm
    (Note Powerpoint)
• Understand the relationship of FNEP to Extension; the University of Missouri and Extension; the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS); and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
  • http://www.ces-fsne.org/prtnrshp.cfm
  • http://extension.missouri.edu/fnep/FundingSourceWille.ppt (funding slides)
• Understand the eligibility requirements for participation in the Food Stamp Program.
  • http://dss.missouri.gov/fsd/fstamp/
• Understand the importance of the NPA role in achieving program goals.
• Follow State FNEP guidelines.
  • http://extension.missouri.edu/fnep/about.htm

Understand and Respect Diversity

• Respect and value people’s differences.
• Remain objective and avoid imposing one’s own values on others.
• Meet the nutrition education needs of learners of diverse race, ethnicity, gender, age, language, education level, religious, cultural, sexual orientation, and disabilities.
• Meet civil rights requirements.

Achieve Excellence in Teaching

• Recruit adults and youth who are eligible for FNP and EFNEP.
• Schedule programs (with input from supervisor) to be convenient for participants.
• Assess the needs, interests, and abilities of participants.
  • Ages and Stages of 4-H Youth Development LG782 – guidesheet developed by 4H
  • ADHD Information and Tips For Building Strong Families Facilitators
  • Read Aloud Guidesheet - pdf
• Understand the factors that influence an individual’s food behavior.
• Limit program content to FNEP topics as defined in State program guidelines.
  • http://extension.missouri.edu/fnep/teaching.htm
• Use research-based, State-approved educational materials.
  • http://extension.missouri.edu/fnep/teaching.htm
• Stay current in FNEP topics. (Steps to a Healthier You curriculum can be used to train in some of the topics below)

DIETARY QUALITY (NUTRITION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY)

• Explain the importance of adequate nutrition to health.
• Understand the factors that affect childhood risk for overweight.
• Name the major classes of nutrients needed by the body, explain the functions of these nutrient classes in the body and list food sources for each nutrient class.
• Name the five food groups in MyPyramid, the recommended amount of food needed each day from each food group, how oils fit into the daily diet, physical activity recommendations and how discretionary calories are used to help consumers choose nutrient-dense, low fat and low sugar foods.
  • http://extension.missouri.edu/fnep/pubs.htm  (MyPyramid 101)
• Use the information/major messages from the Dietary Guidelines and MyPyramid as tools in teaching about nutrition.
• Describe Ellyn Satter’s child feeding practices.
• Identify the different nutritional needs at different stages of the life cycle.
• Understand how nutrition education can support healthy eating in schools.
• Explain why physical activity is important as part of a healthy lifestyle and current recommendations about amounts of physical activity.
• Understand factors influencing body image and respond in an age-appropriate way.
• Understand and address special concerns such as allergies, vegetarian diets.

SHOPPING/FOOD RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

• Demonstrate a variety of skills in planning for food shopping and actual in-store buying.
• Plan nutritionally adequate meals for a family that are low in solid fat, sodium and added sugar.
• Demonstrate various food preparation skills and provide information on food preparation, methods and skills.
• Read and use nutrition information on food labels such as the Nutrition Facts panel, the ingredient list and health claims to choose healthy foods.

FOOD SAFETY

• Demonstrate/role model skills in food safety and preservation.
• Describe groups at high risk for food-borne illness.
• Describe conditions favorable to the growth of bacteria in food and how to address these conditions.
• State the required food temperatures for safe refrigeration, hot holding, cooling and reheating of potentially hazardous foods.
• Describe how to properly wash hands and sanitize surfaces.
• Describe the different dates found on food packages.

• Plan lesson plans, activities, and materials based on participants’ needs, interests, age, and abilities, as approved by supervisor.
• Engage participants in hands-on learning to achieve program outcomes.
  • Learning by Doing (pdf)
• Use creative teaching techniques that build on participants’ learning styles (ways of learning), strengths, prior knowledge, and skills.
  • Respond to questions, inaccurate information in an appropriate way.
• Create respectful learning environments in which learners feel comfortable to participate.
  • Explain appropriate food tasting procedures in classrooms.
    • http://extension.missouri.edu/fnep/implementation/tastetest.htm
  • Understand and use age appropriate methods of behavior management in the classroom.
• Help participants set goals using new information and skills.
• Encourage participants to increase food and nutrition-related skills and become more independent.
• Acknowledge participants’ success.
• Use evaluation results to focus programming and improve teaching skills/techniques.

Conduct Program Evaluation

• Use State-approved evaluation forms and methods for collecting participant and program outcome information.
  • http://extension.missouri.edu/fnep/admin.htm
  • http://extension.missouri.edu/fnep/evaluation.htm
  • 24 Hour Food Recall (ppt) 
  • Individual 24 Hour Dietary Recall
  • Group 24 Hour Dietary Recall
  • Probing questions used with the group recall method
  • Guide for reviewing NEERS
  • HO1 - Steps to a Healthier You
• Meet expected goals for participation/caseload as designated by supervisor.
  • http://extension.missouri.edu/fnep/performeval.htm 
• Provide constructive feedback to supervisors/State leaders on program effectiveness.

Maintain Accurate Records and Reports

• Submit records and reports neatly, accurately, completely, and on time. Document time and travel regularly on appropriate forms.
• Secure and/or document match.
  • http://extension.missouri.edu/fnep/admin.htm
  • http://extension.missouri.edu/fnep/dates.htm
• Secure and submit participant signatures indicating consent for photographs, and/or other personal information that may be used to improve programming.

Maintain Effective Internal and External Partnerships

• Know community demographics, resources, needs, and issues.
• Build and maintain effective partnerships with other Extension programs and community agencies.
• Respect the missions of partnering agencies.
• Understand and follow program memoranda of understanding and/or collaborative agreements.
• Communicate regularly with partnering agencies to coordinate services.
• Respond to agency referrals in a timely manner and report follow-up with the person/agency that made the referral.
• Refer participants to the Food Stamp Program, Extension programs, and other appropriate community resources.
  • Food Stamps: http://dss.missouri.gov/fsd/fstamp/
  • WIC: http://www.dhss.mo.gov/wic/
  • Head Start: http://www.moheadstart.org/map/amap.html
  • School Food Service Programs (School Lunch, etc.): http://dese.mo.gov/divadm/food/Programs_Index.html 
• Strengthen programming by involving volunteers, where appropriate. • Participate in the research mission of the University as approved by supervisor.

Communicate Program Value

• Serve as a good representative of the University.
  • http://extension.missouri.edu/fnep/representingfnep.htm 
• Include required logos, Food Stamp Program message, and FNP funding statement on all print materials.
  • Logos: http://extension.missouri.edu/fnep/logos.htm 
  • Copies: http://extension.missouri.edu/fnep/representingfnep.htm 
• Share program outcomes and successes with stakeholders, media, and the public.
  • http://extension.missouri.edu/fnep/reports/index.htm
• Ensure Productive Interpersonal Relationships
• Maintain positive working relationships with support staff, co-workers, and supervisors.
• Share program materials and ideas with co-workers. Be open to new ideas, concepts, and information.
• Mentor new co-workers as directed by supervisor.
• Use effective verbal, writing, and listening skills.
• Volunteer and/or accept additional responsibilities when appropriate and with supervisor approval.
• Accept constructive criticism and suggestions.

Demonstrate Technology Literacy

• Demonstrate basic computer skills including e-mail and accessing the Internet.
• Use basic office equipment including the telephone system, fax, and copier.
• Use websites approved by supervisor.
• Use audio visual equipment and materials appropriately in teaching.
• Enter data accurately and print reports.

Demonstrate Personal Accountability

• Balance multiple responsibilities including teaching, recruiting, recordkeeping, and reporting.
• Communicate concerns and issues to supervisor in a timely manner (sickness, leave requests, change of schedules, accidents, and conflicts with agencies, participants, co-workers).
• Practice positive work ethics (loyalty, honesty, integrity,
  perseverance).
• Demonstrate an understanding of job responsibilities and boundaries.
• Use good judgment about health and personal safety at work.
• Dress appropriately (as defined by State FNEP guidelines) and practice good hygiene.
  • http://extension.missouri.edu/fnep/representingfnep.htm
• Meet scheduled commitments; arrive prepared and on time; cancel appointments only when absolutely necessary.
• Model positive nutrition, health, and food safety behaviors.
• Maintain reliable transportation.
• Organize and maintain teaching materials, supplies, and equipment.
• Use time and travel resources wisely.
• Participate actively in staff development/training.
• Develop a personal staff development plan including setting goals to improve work performance in conjunction with supervisor.
• Use technology and program equipment/materials appropriately and for work purposes only.
• Work independently with confidence.
• Maintain confidentiality of participant and program information (appropriately file, transport, and store records).
• Comply with State laws regarding reporting criminal activity (copyright laws, reporting child abuse, and issues related to court cases).
  • http://extension.missouri.edu/fnep/reportchildabuse.htm

Adapted from FSNE Core Competencies – CES/Land-Grant University System, January 2006; MO workgroup: Ellen Schuster, Julie Royse, Terry Egan, Cathy McCallum, Damaris Karanja and Alison Copeland and “Objectives FNEP Staff Orientation”

Family Nutrition Education Programs, University of Missouri
308 Gwynn Hall, Columbia, MO 65211
Phone: 573.882.9760  Fax: 573.884.5449

HES Extension Site Manager exthesweb@missouri.edu last updated: 08/09/2005 Copyright-ADA- Equal Opportunity Policy