AUTHOR=Washburn Lisa , Norman-Burgdolf Heather , Jones Natalie , Kennedy Lauren E. , Jarvandi Soghra 

TITLE=Exploring Extension Agent Capacity and Readiness to Adopt Policy, Systems and Environmental Change Approaches

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 10 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2022.856788

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2022.856788

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=Introduction. Enhanced Extension outreach strategies combine traditional direct education programs with public health approaches like policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) change. However, the Cooperative Extension system and county-based Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Extension agents have historically prioritized direct education programming and diffusion of enhanced outreach strategies has varied. Extension personnel may lack capacity and readiness for successful PSE implementation. This study explored perceived acceptability, capacity, and readiness for PSE work among FCS Extension agents in two states. 
Method. A survey was developed framed by selected domains from the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research: Intervention Characteristics, Inner Setting, Characteristics of Individuals, and Process. All questions utilized a 5-point Likert scale, except for an item examining respondents’ stage of change for PSE. Descriptive statistics and response frequencies for all variables were calculated.
Results. Survey responses (n=116) indicated PSE work was perceived as valuable. Potential barriers included perceived complexity, organizational readiness issues (e.g., reporting and evaluation structures; performance incentives), and worries about stakeholder responses in shifting away from direct education. Responses indicated self-efficacy for skills important in implementing PSEs. Most respondents (53%) indicated being at the pre-contemplation or contemplation stage of change in pursuing PSE work. 
Discussion. Combining PSE work and direct education programming allows Extension to do what it does best – provide effective programs to improve and sustain health and well-being of individuals and families. Findings are informative for others aiming to build capacity within community educators, Extension and public health professionals to implement PSE work.