Research & Practice
Supporting Early Learning Provider Wellness and Healthy Relationship with Food
The Healthy Eating and Active Living team (HEAL) at the Washington State Department of Health sought to determine effective ways to support early learning provider wellness and relationships with food. Providers’ perception of their weight status, health, and relationship with food play a role in how they feed and talk with children about eating. The purpose of this project was to identify best practices and successful resources for provider wellness through research and discussion with key stakeholders.
After review of existing resources and initiatives and discussions with eight different stakeholders, best practices for supporting provider wellness were identified. Provider wellness resources should focus on providers’ wellbeing rather than as a means of improving nutrition in children. Supporting connections between providers through wellness initiatives will likely lead to better success in changing behavior. Self-reflection can be used as an evaluation measure for how well initiatives are working. Many providers have experienced trauma or work with children who have experienced trauma, so trauma-informed wellness resources and support are critical. Lastly, inclusion of leadership or coaching in addition to trainings or resources will give additional support to providers.
These best practices helped form recommendations to the HEAL team. The HEAL team should explore opportunities to work with food insecurity partners such as WIC and SNAP-Ed, host focus groups with providers prior to resource development, and emphasize provider wellness without focusing on the impact for children. Additionally, the HEAL team can pilot resources and request feedback, establish supports for provider wellness outside of resources, and foster a safe, non-judgmental environment to explore providers’ relationship with food. Systemic barriers, such as high rates of food insecurity and depression among providers, low wages, limited access to health care, and lack of paid time-off should be recognized as having a large impact on provider well-being.
Materials Available
Project Type(s): MPH Practicum, PH Concentration Poster
Author(s): Jessa Engelken
Program(s): Master of Public Health, RDN Training
Year: 2021
Adviser(s):