Gabriella M McLoughlin1, Sheila Fleischhacker2, Amelie A Hecht3, Jared McGuirt4, Carolyn Vega5, Margaret Read5, Uriyoán Colón-Ramos6, Caroline G Dunn7. 1. Implementation Science Center for Cancer Control and Prevention Research Center, Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO; Division of Public Health Sciences, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO. Electronic address: gmcloughlin@wustl.edu. 2. Georgetown University Law Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC. 3. Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD. 4. Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina-Greensboro, Greensboro, NC. 5. Share Our Strength, Washington, DC. 6. Department of Global Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC. 7. Department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To conduct a nationwide assessment of child nutrition administrative agencies' responses to meal service provision during coronavirus disease 2019-related school closures. DESIGN: Systematic coding of government websites (February-May 2020) regarding school meal provision in all 50 US states and the District of Columbia, 5 US territories, and the US Department of Interior Bureau of Indian Education. PARTICIPANTS: All US jurisdictions (N = 57). VARIABLES MEASURED: Seven coding criteria were established to assess the strengths and weaknesses of jurisdictions' responses derived from emergency declarations, school closure announcements, and government websites on emergency school meals. ANALYSIS: Descriptive analyses. RESULTS: Most jurisdictions mentioned school meal provisions in school closure announcements (76.4%), provided easily interpretable information and/or maps about meal sites (57.9%), and included detailed information about school meal provisions in their coronavirus disease 2019 landing webpages (n = 26, 51%). Fewer provided updated and comprehensive implementation guidance (39.3%), referenced school closures in emergency declarations (37.5%), had clear communication/outreach to families (21.4%), or partnered with antihunger organizations (11.6%). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Understanding initial jurisdictions' approaches are critical to current and future emergency planning during school closures and reopening to help address food insecurity better, limit disease transmission, and prevent health disparities, particularly among at-risk populations.
OBJECTIVE: To conduct a nationwide assessment of child nutrition administrative agencies' responses to meal service provision during coronavirus disease 2019-related school closures. DESIGN: Systematic coding of government websites (February-May 2020) regarding school meal provision in all 50 US states and the District of Columbia, 5 US territories, and the US Department of Interior Bureau of Indian Education. PARTICIPANTS: All US jurisdictions (N = 57). VARIABLES MEASURED: Seven coding criteria were established to assess the strengths and weaknesses of jurisdictions' responses derived from emergency declarations, school closure announcements, and government websites on emergency school meals. ANALYSIS: Descriptive analyses. RESULTS: Most jurisdictions mentioned school meal provisions in school closure announcements (76.4%), provided easily interpretable information and/or maps about meal sites (57.9%), and included detailed information about school meal provisions in their coronavirus disease 2019 landing webpages (n = 26, 51%). Fewer provided updated and comprehensive implementation guidance (39.3%), referenced school closures in emergency declarations (37.5%), had clear communication/outreach to families (21.4%), or partnered with antihunger organizations (11.6%). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Understanding initial jurisdictions' approaches are critical to current and future emergency planning during school closures and reopening to help address food insecurity better, limit disease transmission, and prevent health disparities, particularly among at-risk populations.
Authors: Benjamin J Ryan; Victoria Telford; Mark Brickhouse; Jacqueline Campbell; Connor Crowe; Rok Fink; Kristy Hatch; Tim Hatch; Reiley Jones; Andrea S Cruz; Cara Allen; Kathy Krey; Jeremy Everett; Lori A Kanitz; Bryan W Brooks Journal: J Sch Health Date: 2022-04-05 Impact factor: 2.460
Authors: Beth N Katz; Jessica Soldavini; Kiran Grover; Stephanie Jilcott Pitts; Stephanie L Martin; Linden Thayer; Alice S Ammerman; Hannah G Lane Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-06-22 Impact factor: 4.614