This article provides an overview of the development and components of LEAD95, University of Tennessee (UT) Extension’s comprehensive leadership program for county-level leaders. The program was designed in accordance with results from a Delphi study, which identified critical skills and resources new county directors need to be successful. The program consists of face-to-face workshops, an online resource tool kit, online learning opportunities, a multirater assessment, and mentoring. Expected outcomes include increased competency, increased job satisfaction, and more consistent leadership and direction among county-level leaders in the UT Extension system.

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Rural health research has increased over the last two decades, but there are still unknowns regarding health priorities from the perspective of rural community-based representatives. The Georgia Clinical and Translational Science Alliance (CTSA), a collaboration between four research institutions, statewide, includes a Community Engagement (CE) Program facilitating community-academic research partnerships. This study aimed to assess the health priorities, research experience, and interests from community respondents outside of Metropolitan Atlanta through the Community Engagement Facilitation Survey (CEFS). CE Program members disseminated the 11-item survey statewide at community events and professional organization meetings. Descriptive statistics were analyzed, and GIS mapping was conducted. Four-hundred six (406) surveys were analyzed, representing 83.6% of rural Georgia counties. Most frequently identified health priorities and research interests were diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, and mental health. Results will be used to support those within rural Georgia organizations seeking to forge community-academic partnerships to address health priorities.

Background: Community and clinic-based health care organizations play a vital role in administering nutrition education to low-income populations facing various financial and geographical barriers. Technology-based, online programs are accessible, flexible, and low-cost options to provide this audience with reliable nutrition education.Objective: This study examined the current status of nutrition education and needs for online nutrition education resources among low-income Georgians from community and clinic-based health care providers' perspectives. Study Design, Setting, Participants: A statewide online survey was conducted in a sample of 163 community key informants (86.8% female, 18.3% African American) serving a SNAP-eligible population. Purposive and convenience sampling methods were used to recruit 113 respondents from University of Georgia Cooperative Extension (UGA CE) and 50 community and clinic-based health care providers (HCPs), respectively. The survey included questions assessing nutrition education programs, partnerships, and eLearning experience and interest. Measurable Outcome/Analysis: Descriptive analyses were conducted to summarize sample characteristics and responses to the online survey's key domains. Results: Existing nutrition education programs were more prevalent in UGA CE settings (87.5%) than HCP settings (56.3%). Overall, experience in providing online programs was low among UGA CE and HCP respondents (18.8% and 28.3%, respectively). Participants from both groups expressed interest in offering online nutrition education programs to their clients (75.6% for UGA CE and 84.8% for HCPs), especially those from rurally based organizations. The most preferred format of online nutrition education programs was interactive scenario/game-based learning. Perceived challenges to offering online programs included client interest and motivation, access to technical assistance, and funding. Conclusion:Organizations serving low-income Georgian populations are interested in offering online nutrition education programs to expand their current services and better reach their clientele. The findings of this study will inform the implementation and dissemination strategies for evidence-based online nutrition education programming for low-income Georgians. Funding: None.

It is critical that the value of Extension family and consumer sciences as a broadly focused profession be recognized both in and out of Extension. Establishing universally recognized competencies and assuring that agents possess those capabilities are vital steps to securing and maintaining the integrity of the profession and its value to those it serves. University of Tennessee Extension has developed a process for assessing basic competencies of newly hired agents and responding to their competency gaps with targeted training.