UC ANR Cooperative Extension (UCCE) conducted six focus groups in 2013 with CalFresh-eligible adults to determine how to improve the existing evaluation method for the Plan, Shop, Save, Cook nutrition education classes. Focus group participants (n = 54) cited many behavior changes that are captured by the existing method. During the focus groups, changes in cooking practices and types of food purchased emerged as two domains that are not currently captured. A small pilot study conducted on 22 of the 54 focus group participants suggests that using a telephone interview to survey participants is a feasible and practical approach to collect follow-up data on long-term behavior changes. More rigorous follow-up studies may guide the development of policies aimed at increasing diet quality and food security of adult CalFresh participants.

These eight handouts are designed to help parents learn positive parenting skills that promote healthy eating habits in children between 2 and 12 years of age. Each handout focuses on a specific topic identified as relevant through surveys of educators in federally funded nutrition education programs. The content of the handouts is based on empirical research that shows the following: • Parents control and shape the environment in which their children develop. • Parent-child interactions, including those around food, are most effective when done with warmth and sensitivity. • Parents who have more positive parenting skills are more likely to have positive interactions with their children around food. • Parents need to begin shaping healthy eating habits early. Children’s eating habits begin forming as early as 3 years of age. • Promoting positive parenting is beneficial to all parent-child interactions, including feeding. • Positive parenting is associated with better dietary behaviors of children. Can be used with the rest of the Healthy Happy Families curricula.