As the recent federal government shutdown and its effects on SNAP benefits illustrated, food insecurity affects millions of Americans. Led by faculty in the University of Oregon’s College of Education, a new project seeks to address food insecurity among Latine children and families in Oregon in partnership with the Oregon Department of Education summer meal program and regional community-based organizations throughout the state.
The $7 million, seven-year grant awarded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute will allow principal investigators Leslie Leve, Dave DeGarmo, and Liz Budd, along with co-investigators Anne Marie Mauricio and Stephanie De Anda, to work with families in 24 school districts. Community health worker partners will provide brief, on-site psychoeducational intervention for caregivers aimed at promoting quality of life and improving social determinants of health like food insecurity, exposure to stress, and lack of access to educational information. The goal of the project is to create sustainable change to prevent poor health outcomes across generations.
“This project builds on the outreach and health program our team ran during the pandemic, which helped improve COVID-19 testing and supported mental health in Latine communities in Oregon,” said Leslie Leve, Lorry Lokey Chair in Education and a member of the Prevention Science Institute.
"We’re excited to work with our community partners again to create practical strategies and resources that support Latine families across the state—especially those who may not have enough food or easy access to health care or educational services." - Leslie Leve