Evaluation of the scale-up and implementation of mind, exercise, nutrition … do it! (MEND) in British Columbia: a hybrid trial-type 3 evaluation
BACKGROUND: The MEND BC childhood obesity intervention was implemented in British Columbia (B.C.), Canada from April 2013 to June 2017. The study objective was: a) to describe and explore program reach, attendance, satisfaction, acceptability, fidelity, and facilitators and challenges during scale-up and implementation of MEND in B.C. while b) monitoring program effectiveness in improving children’s body mass index (BMI) z-score, waist circumference, dietary and physical activity behaviours, and psychological well-being.
CONCLUSIONS: The program reached a broad demographic of children and adolescents in B.C. Families were highly satisfied with the program delivery. MEND BC at scale was effective across all four evaluation years in improving BMI z-score, lifestyle behaviours and psychological well-being among children. Future interventions need to explore strategies to enhance program delivery flexibility.
Family Healthy Living Program (on behalf of the Childhood Obesity Foundation)
Generation Health is a FREE, family-based 10-week program held in communities across BC. The program supports making family changes to healthy behaviours such as healthy eating, physical activity, screen time and sleep that support children’s own health behaviours. As well, the program incorporates positive mental health activities that build resilience and self-confidence and help to enhance overall well-being.
Joy played a lead role in planning and developing early intervention prototype program. Planned and facilitated province-wide stakeholder consultation to develop the new health promotion program. Developed recruitment strategy including social media, key messages, website content. Evaluation advisor in collaboration with University of Victoria, University of British Columbia and University of Alberta Researchers.
Visit program website at Generation Health – Family Healthy Living
Stakeholder Engagement Infographic | Early Intervention
Program Stakeholder Consultation
Consultations helped with developing the Family Healthy Living Program (rebranded as Generation Health). Consultation undertaken on behalf of Childhood Obesity Foundation in collaboration with Karen Strange and Michelle Naimi.
Scaling Up and Implementing Mind, Exercise, Nutrition, Do It! (MEND 7-13) in British Columbia: Three Year Evaluation Results
Poster presentation with co-authors Dr PJ Naylor, Diana Tindall, Jennifer Bradbury and Michelle Naimi. Evaluation undertaken on behalf of Childhood Obesity Foundation.
CONCLUSIONS: During the scale up period July 2014 to June 2016, MEND 7-13 broadened the reach and sustained the positive healthy lifestyle impacts observed during the Demonstration Project. There is consistent evidence of the program’s effectiveness – in terms of both positive physical and mental health outcomes – while children participated in programs. MEND 7-13 reached a broad demographic. Participant retention and satisfaction was high. Recruitment was an ongoing challenge.
Stakeholder Engagement
Designing and Developing a Childhood Healthy Weights Family-based Healthy Living Program: A Stakeholder Guided Approach.
Academic poster presented at Canadian Obesity Summit 2019 by Karen Strange. Co-authored by Joy Weismiller, Geoff Ball, Ryan Rhodes, Louise Mass, Lam Liu and PJ Naylor.
Childhood Healthy Weights Intervention Initiative
Program Planner and Evaluation Lead for multi-year, province-wide Initiative that offered family-based programming to help families with overweight or obese children achieve healthy weights.
Visit the Childhood Obesity Foundation website.
World Urban Forum III
Project Manager for inter-ministry team coordinating the Province of British Columbia’s preparations for and presence at a United Nations convention addressing global urban sustainability issues. Convention examined one of the most pressing issues facing the world today: rapid urbanization and its impacton communities, cities, economies, climate and policies. Visit https://unhabitat.org/wuf/
Indigenous Adult And Higher Learning Association | Costs/Benefits Research Project
Undertook a study at the request of the Indigenous Adult and Higher Learning Association (IAHLA) to: investigate overall funding issues that affect Aboriginal-controlled institutes; identify costs of operating Aboriginal-controlled institutes; and, highlight the benefits arising from Aboriginal-controlled institutes. The project also explored Aboriginal-controlled institutes’ importance to First Nations students and communities throughout the province of British Columbia (BC).
Indigenous Adult And Higher Learning Association Data Collection Project
The Indigenous Adult and Higher Learning Association (IAHLA) Data Collection Project develops a better understanding of what is happening in First Nations adult and post-secondary institutes and reports on the scope of programs and services being offered to support learners. The project is led by First Nations adult and post-secondary institutes and reports data that reflects First Nations values.
The aggregate information has been useful when working with other education stakeholders to highlight the important role of IAHLA institutes in the post-secondary education system in BC.
Final Reports: 2013/14 – 2012/13 – 2011/12 – 2010/11 – 2009/10 –2008/9 – 2007/8
Building Stronger Communities: Non-profit Sector Participation in Infrastructure Planning and Development
The report explores the benefits of and barriers to non-profits engaging in infrastructure provision, and identifies a number of opportunities to increase non-profit participation in public infrastructure development. Trends were examined in the US, UK and other nations. Published report prepared by Juniper Consulting in partnership with Vancity Community Foundation for Infrastructure Canada.
Success Themes in Supportive Employment | Toolkit produce for Enterprising non-profits
As Research Consultant, contributed to the report and toolkit: Success Themes in Supportive Employment. The informative resource offers many recommendations to new and existing social enterprises for the support of diverse workforces. It suggests subject areas and sources for further research, as well as tools to develop. The report indicates changes in government policy that will enable ESEs and their employees to achieve even better outcomes. Finally, steps are recommended that community partners, intermediaries and funders can take to strengthen the social enterprise sector as a whole.
Local Government Executive Compensation Toolkit
Conceptualized, researched and designed internet-based executive compensation toolkit for senior, non-elected local government officials. First in British Columbia, the toolkit provided a one-stop source for total compensation information to Local Government Management Association members.