Out-of-School Nutrition and Physical Activity Initiative (OSNAP)

OSNAP Implementation Guide | Download
A step-by-step guide to help implement the OSNAP initiative
Model Steps: Assess, Learn, Identify, Implement, Communicate, Track, Re-Evaluate, Celebrate

OSNAP Glossary of Terms | Download
Get key OSNAP terms and their definitions
Model Step: Learn

OSNAP Daily Practice Assessment | Download
Complete this each day, Monday through Friday, to get the best assessment of your program offerings
Model Steps: Assess, Identify, Re-Evaluate

OSNAP Policy Self-Assessment | Download
This tool can help you keep track of your program’s policies for nutrition, physical activity, and screen time
Model Steps: Assess, Identify, Re-Evaluate

OSNAP Policy Assessment Report | Download
A tool to evaluate and track your program’s policies for nutrition, physical activity, and screen time
Model Steps: Assess, Identify, Re-Evaluate

OSNAP Practice Assessment Report | Download
A tool to evaluate your program’s nutrition, physical activity, and screen time practices
Model Steps: Assess, Identify, Re-Evaluate

OSNAP Action Planning Template | Download
Template to outline your practice, policy, and communication action steps to meet the OSNAP goals
Model Steps: Learn, Identify, Communicate, Track

OSNAP Goals Poster | Download
A poster listing the OSNAP goals for nutrition and physical activity
Model Step: Assess, Identify
Goals: Increase Physical Activity, Reduce Sugary Drinks, Promote Water, Promote Fruits & Vegetables, Promote Whole Grains, Reduce Screen Time

OSNAP Overview 1-Pager | Download
A one-pager overview describing the OSNAP Initiative to support program outreach
Model Steps: Implement, Communicate

OSNAP Innovation Proposal Template | Download
Template to request funding to help meet the OSNAP goals

OSNAP Innovation Proposal Sample | Download
A sample innovation proposal from a program to request funding to help meet the OSNAP goals

OSNAP Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) | Download
Template outlining the activities and expectations for participating in OSNAP
Model Steps: Implement, Communicate

5-Step Approach To Implementing & Sustaining Nutrition & Physical Activity Change | Download
Use this worksheet to help brainstorm ways to make your program changes long-term and to spread changes within your larger organization
Model Steps: Implement, Track, Celebrate
Goals: Increase Physical Activity, Promote Water, Promote Fruits & Vegetables, Promote Whole Grains

OSNAP Certificate Of Completion | Download
Certificate of completion of training hours through the OSNAP initiative
Model Step: Celebrate

OSNAP Learning Community Facilitation Handbook | Download
A guide to organizing and leading OSNAP Learning Community meetings
Model Step: Learn

OSNAP Recruitment Letter | Download
A sample recruitment letter for programs to participate in an OSNAP Learning Community
Model Step: Communicate

OSNAP Registration Form | Download
A sample form for programs to participate in an OSNAP Learning Community
Model Steps: Implement, Communicate

OSNAP Facilitator Train-The-Trainer Module | Download
A train-the-trainer-style PowerPoint presentation designed to train facilitators to lead OSNAP Learning Communities
Model Step: Learn

Learning Community Email Templates | Download
Email invitation and reminder templates to participate in Learning Community Sessions
Model Step: Learn, Communicate

Learning Community Attendance Sheet | Download
Template to track participant attendance at Learning Community Sessions
Model Steps: Learn, Implement

Learning Community PowerPoint 1 | Download
Slide deck to guide learning and sharing for Learning Community Session 1
Model Step: Learn

Learning Community PowerPoint 2 | Download
Slide deck to guide learning and sharing for Learning Community Session 2
Model Step: Learn

Learning Community PowerPoint 3 | Download
Slide deck to guide learning and sharing for Learning Community Session 1
Model Step: Learn

Learning Community 1 Evaluation Form | Download
Template evaluation form to assess Learning Community Session 1
Model Step: Learn

Learning Community 1 Fidelity Checklist | Download
A checklist for facilitators to assess their delivery of Learning Community Session 1
Model Step: Learn

Learning Community 2 Evaluation Form | Download
Template evaluation form to assess Learning Community Session 2
Model Step: Learn

Learning Community 2 Fidelity Checklist | Download
A checklist for facilitators to assess their delivery of Learning Community Session 2
Model Step: Learn

Learning Community 3 Evaluation Form | Download
Template evaluation form to assess Learning Community Session 3
Model Step: Learn

Learning Community 3 Fidelity Checklist | Download
A checklist for facilitators to assess their delivery of Learning Community Session 3
Model Step: Learn

Policy Writing Guide | Download
A guide with policy language suggestions to helps programs meet the OSNAP goals
Model Steps: Learn, Identify, Implement, Communicate

Example Policy Language: Beverages & Snacks | Download
Examples and tips for writing policies to promote healthy beverages and snacks in afterschool programs
Model Steps: Learn, Identify, Communicate
Goals: Promote Fruits & Vegetables, Promote Water, Reduce Sugary Drinks

Example Policy Language: Screen Time | Download
Examples and tips for writing policies to reduce screen time in afterschool programs
Model Steps: Learn, Identify, Communicate
Goal: Reduce Screen Time

Example Policy Language: Physical Activity | Download
Examples and tips for writing policies to promote more physical activity in afterschool programs
Model Steps: Learn, Identify, Communicate
Goal: Increase Physical Activity

Supplementary Policy Language: Foods and Beverages | Download
Supplementary language for other policies that support healthy foods and beverages
Model Steps: Learn, Identify, Communicate
Goals: Promote Fruits & Vegetables, Promote Water, Reduce Sugary Drinks

Supplementary Policy Language: Screen Time | Download
Supplementary language for other policies that support reduced screen time
Model Steps: Learn, Identify, Communicate
Goals: Reduce Screen Time

Supplementary Policy Language: Physical Activity | Download
Supplementary language for other policies that support physical activity
Model Steps: Learn, Identify, Communicate
Goals: Increase Physical Activity

Interview and Hiring Guide | Download
Includes tips, job descriptions, and interview questions to find the best candidates to hire
Model Steps: Learn, Implement

Working With Food Service Guide | Download
A guide for collaborating with school food service to improve afterschool time snacks and meals
Model Step: Learn

Water Pitcher Sanitation Guidelines | Download
Guidelines to keep water pitchers clean and sanitized
Model Step: Learn
Goal: Promote Water

Healthier Whole Grain Snack Options | Download
A list of healthier whole grain snack options
Model Step: Learn
Goal: Promote Whole Grains

Produce Passport | Download
A resource for kids to log, describe, and review produce
Model Step: Learn, Identify
Goal: Promote Fruits & Vegetables

Sample Family Letters | Download
Sample letters to communicate nutrition, physical activity, and screen time policies to families
Model Step: Communicate

Sample Snack Menu | Download
Sample monthly menu for servings snacks that meet the OSNAP goals
Model Steps: Learn, Communicate
Goal: Promote Fruits & Vegetables

Sample Afterschool Schedule (With Physical Activity Breaks) | Download
Sample schedule for how other programs incorporated 30 minutes of physical activity each day using short physical activity breaks
Model Steps: Learn, Communicate
Goal: Increase Physical Activity

Sample Afterschool Schedules (Combined Physical Activity) | Download
Sample schedule for how other programs incorporated 30 minutes of physical activity each day using physical activity blocks
Model Steps: Learn, Communicate
Goal: Increase Physical Activity

Healthy Staff, Healthy Kids! | Download
Fun facts, tips, and resources for staff to model healthy behaviors for kids
Model Steps: Learn, Identify, Implement
Goals: Increase Physical Activity, Reduce Sugary Drinks, Promote Water, Promote Fruits & Vegetables, Promote Whole Grains, Reduce Screen Time

Tips to Reduce Sugary Drinks | Download
Find facts, tips, and resources to reduce sugary drinks
Model Steps: Learn, Identify, Implement
Goal: Reduce Sugary Drinks

Tips to Limit Trans Fats | Download
Find facts, tips, and resources to limit trans fats in snacks
Model Steps: Learn, Identify, Implement

Tips to Promote Water Consumption | Download
Find facts, tips, and resources to promote water consumption
Model Steps: Learn, Identify, Implement
Goal: Promote Water

Tips to Promote Fruits & Veggies | Download
Find facts, tips, and resources to promote fruit and veggies
Model Steps: Learn, Identify, Implement
Goal: Promote Fruits & Vegetables

Tips to Promote Whole Grain Snacks | Download
Find facts, tips, and resources to promote whole grain snacks
Model Steps: Learn, Identify, Implement
Goal: Promote Whole Grains

Tips to Promote Physical Activity | Download
Find facts, tips, and resources to promote more physical activity
Model Steps: Learn, Identify, Implement
Goal: Increase Physical Activity

Tips to Reduce Screen Time | Download
Find facts, tips, and resources to reduce screen time
Model Steps: Learn, Identify, Implement
Goal: Reduce Screen Time

Eliminating Sugary Drinks | Download
Identify action steps to promote healthy beverages every day
Model Steps: Learn, Identify, Implement
Goal: Reduce Sugary Drinks

Eliminating Trans Fats | Download
Identify action steps to offer meals and snacks with no trans fats
Model Steps: Learn, Identify, Implement

Promoting Water Consumption | Download
Identify action steps to serve more water every day
Model Steps: Learn, Identify, Implement
Goal: Promote Water

Improving Fruit & Vegetable Consumption | Download
Identify action steps to offer more fruits & vegetables every day
Model Steps: Learn, Identify, Implement
Goal: Promote Fruits & Vegetables

Promoting Whole Grains | Download
Identify action steps to offer more whole grain snacks every day
Model Steps: Learn, Identify, Implement
Goal: Promote Whole Grains

Increasing Moderate Physical Activity | Download
Identify action steps to offer moderate physical activity every day
Model Steps: Learn, Identify, Implement
Goal: Increase Physical Activity

Increasing Vigorous Physical Activity | Download
Identify action steps to offer vigorous physical activity every week
Model Steps: Learn, Identify, Implement
Goal: Increase Physical Activity

Reducing Screen Time | Download
Identify action steps to reduce screen time every day
Model Steps: Learn, Identify, Implement
Goal: Reduce Screen Time

Food & Fun After School Curriculum | Download
An afterschool curriculum with a variety of lessons and activities focused on healthy eating and physical activity
Model Steps: Learn, Identify, Implement

Food & Fun PowerPoint (Part 1) | Download
Slide deck for a Food & Fun After School curriculum training session
Model Steps: Learn, Implement

Parter Letter Template: Screen Time Policies | Download
A sample letter to communicate screen time policies to afterschool partners
Model Step: Communicate
Goal: Reduce Screen Time

Partner Letter Template: Snack Policies | Download
A sample letter to communicate snack policies to afterschool partners
Model Step: Communicate
Goals: Promote Fruits & Vegetables, Promote Whole Grains, Reduce Sugary Drinks

Healthy Fundraising (Handouts) | Download
A selection of handouts that include ideas and resources to support healthy fundraising
Model Step: Learn

Healthy Celebrations (Handouts) | Download
A selection of handouts that include ideas for giving celebrations a healthy makeover
Model Steps: Learn, Celebrate

Healthy Celebration Ideas | Download
Ideas and resources to hold healthy celebrations
Model Steps: Learn, Celebrate

Alternatives to Food As A Reward | Download
Ideas and resources on other ways to incentivize and reward children
Model Steps: Learn, Celebrate

Goal: Increase physical activity

Provide all children with at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day. Offer 20 minutes of vigorous physical activity 3 times per week.

Goal: Reduce sugary drinks

Do not serve sugary drinks. Do not allow sugary drinks to be brought in during program time.

Goal: Promote water

Serve water every day.

Goal: Promote fruits & vegetables

Offer a fruit and/or vegetable option at every meal and snack.

Goal: Promote whole grains

When serving grains (like bread, crackers, and cereals), serve whole grains.

Goal: Reduce screen time

Eliminate broadcast and cable TV and movies. Limit computer and digital device use to homework or instructional time.

Step 1: Assess

Assess nutrition and physical activity at your program.

Begin with the Practice Self-Assessment, available through the My OSNAP portal. Assign someone (site director, staff member, or independent consultant) to make observations each day for one week (five days total) at each of your out-of-school-time programs. This will give your team the most complete picture of how your programs align with OSNAP’s nutrition and physical activity goals.

If it is not possible to complete the five-day self-assessment given time or staff constraints, have someone at each program fill out the brief evaluation with their best guesses of the physical activity and nutrition offered to get a sense of whether your programs are meeting the goals.

Complete the Policy Self-Assessment through the My OSNAP portal to evaluate which policies that support the goals are in place at your program.

Here are some resources to help you assess your program:

• A printable version of the practice assessment can be found here: OSNAP Daily Practice Assessment⇢.
• A printable version of the policy assessment can be found here: OSNAP Policy Self-Assessment⇢.

Step 2: Learn

Learn and share with other staff to make healthy afterschool programs.

The OSNAP Initiative follows a collaborative learning model, bringing staff from different afterschool sites together to share with and learn from each other changes that support physical activity and healthy eating.

OSNAP is designed to have three Learning Communities over the course of one year. Participants learn background information and skills to promote physical activity and healthy foods and beverages; have opportunities to share barriers, strategies, and successes; and develop and refine action plans in program teams. Training resources are available, such as presentation slide decks for content covered in the three learning community sessions, along with recruitment, facilitation, and evaluation materials that you can tailor and make suitable for your meetings.

Here is a resource that is associated with the Learn step: OSNAP Implementation Guide⇢

Step 3: Identify

Identify areas to make improvements.

Using your assessment results, identify areas your organization can improve to meet the OSNAP goals. Then using the Tip Sheets and Fast Maps, complete the Action Plan Builder through the My OSNAP portal to specify goals, action steps for change, responsibilities, and timelines. In your action plan, make sure your team sets practice, policy, and communication action steps for each goal they are working toward. There is also space to specify barriers that might need to be addressed or additional resources that staff may need to reach their goals.

Here is a resource that is associated with the Identify step: Action Planning Template⇢

Step 4: Implement

Take action steps to help you meet your goals.

Once you and your staff have decided upon an action plan, it’s time to turn those goals into reality! OSNAP provides a variety of resources to assist you in making changes and communicating practices, policies, and information with parents, children, and partners.

Here is a resource that is associated with the Implement step: Policy-Writing Guide ⇢

Step 5: Communicate

Communicate changes to your program’s practices and policies.

Make sure to communicate your program’s practice and policy changes regarding nutrition and physical activity to parents, children, staff, program administrators, and community partners. This is an important step to inform them about how these changes can support healthy behaviors.

Parent education materials are available through Food & Fun After School and templates for communicating practice and policy change, including guides that can help you create written statements, activities, and lessons, can be found above in the resources section of this page.

Parent education materials are available through Food & Fun After School and templates for communicating practice and policy change, including guides that can help you create written statements, activities, and lessons include:

• Partner Letter Template: Screen Time⇢ 
• Partner Letter Template: Snack Policies⇢
• Example Policy Language: Physical Activity⇢

Step 6: Track

Track your progress on making healthy changes.

Use the OSNAP Action Planning Template to track progress on your program’s goals, action steps, and timelines. Tracking your progress is an essential step because it can help you identify areas and goals that require further action steps and adjustments to achieve in a timely manner.

Refer to the OSNAP Tip Sheets and Fast Maps in the resources section above for setting new goals and ideas for action steps.

Step 7: Re-Evaluate & Celebrate

Re-evaluate to measure your progress.

Re-evaluate to see how your program has improved healthy eating and physical activity practices and policies. Many programs choose to initially evaluate at the beginning of their program cycle (e.g., the start of the school year) and then re-evaluate toward the end of their cycle (e.g., six to nine months later toward the end of the school year).

To re-evaluate, fill out a Practice Assessment Report, assigning someone to make observations each day for one week (five days total) during out-of-school programming. You may reassess with the printable version of the Daily Practice Assessment, available here: OSNAP Daily Practice Assessment.

Comparing the results from each assessment will give the most complete picture of the progress you’ve made toward achieving the goals. Some action steps will take longer to complete than others, so re-evaluate as often as needed. Once you reach your  goals, think about ways to make the program changes from OSNAP stick over the long term. The worksheet “5-Step Approach to Implementing and Sustaining Nutrition and Physical Activity Change” can you help you sustain these changes.

After continuous tracking and re-evaluation, identify the action steps and goals your program has accomplished. Communicate these successes with staff, program administrators, parents, and children via newsletters, meetings, and/or celebrations.

• A printable version of the practice assessment can be found here: OSNAP Daily Practice Assessment⇢.
• A printable version of the policy assessment can be found here: OSNAP Policy Self-Assessment⇢.
• Healthy Celebration Ideas ⇢
• 5-Step Approach to Implementing and Sustaining Nutrition and Physical Activity Change ⇢
• Interview and Hiring Guide ⇢

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Understanding and Utilizing Learning Communities

The goal of OSNAP is to support policy and practice strategies that promote nutrition and physical activity in out-of-school-time settings. OSNAP Learning Communities work by bringing together afterschool providers to share and learn from one another and set goals to promote health in their programs. In the OSNAP Learning Communities, participants develop knowledge and skills to promote physical activity and healthy snacks, share barriers and successes, and create action plans in program teams. Learning Communities are typically held over the course of one school year with several afterschool programs in a city or region.

Resources

The OSNAP Implementation Guide provides step-by-step instructions of the OSNAP model, including guidance for coordinators recruiting programs to participate in OSNAP. The OSNAP Train-the-trainer Module is a slide deck designed to train facilitators to deliver the OSNAP Learning Communities.

• Download the OSNAP Implementation Guide (PDF) ⇢
• Download the OSNAP Facilitator Train-the-Trainer Module (PPT) ⇢
• The OSNAP Facilitator’s Handbook provides guidance for delivering each OSNAP Learning Community session: Download the OSNAP Learning Community Facilitation Handbook (PDF) ⇢
  

Following are research articles published in peer-reviewed journals, demonstrating how OSNAP has helped afterschool and other out-of-school-time programs offer healthy foods and beverages, and more opportunities for children to be active. If you cannot access the articles through your library, please contact hprc@hsph.harvard.edu.

Evidence that OSNAP can improve children’s dietary snack consumption, particularly at sites with on-site foodservice:

Lee RM, Giles CM, Cradock AL, Emmons KM, Okechukwu CA, Kenney EL, Thayer JC, Gortmaker SL. Impact of the Out-of-School Nutrition and Physical Activity (OSNAP) Group Randomized Controlled Trial on Children’s Food, Beverage, and Calorie Consumption among Snacks Served. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2018 Aug;118(8):1425-1437.

Evidence that OSNAP is effective at increasing levels of vigorous physical activity in afterschool programs:

Cradock AL, Barrett JL, Giles CM, Lee RM, Kenney EL, deBlois ME, Thayer JC, Gortmaker SL. Promoting Physical Activity With the Out of School Nutrition and Physical Activity (OSNAP) Initiative: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial. JAMA Pediatr. 2015 Dec 7:1-9.

Evidence that the Out-of-School Nutrition and Physical Activity Observational Practice Assessment Tool (OSNAP-OPAT) can assist researchers and practitioners in validly assessing nutrition and physical activity environments and behaviors in afterschool settings:

Lee RM, Emmons KM, Okechukwu CA, Barrett JL, Kenney EL, Cradock AL, Giles CM, de Blois ME, Gortmaker SL. Validity of a practitioner-administered observational tool to measure physical activity, nutrition, and screen time in school-age programs. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2014 Nov 28;11(1):145.

Evidence that children eat more junk food and nearly twice as many calories when bringing their own snacks to after-school programs:

Kenney EL, Austin SB, Cradock AL, Giles CM, Lee RM, Davison KK, Gortmaker SL. Identifying Sources of Children’s Consumption of Junk Food in Boston After-School Programs, April-May 2011. Prev Chronic Dis. 2014 Nov 20;11:E205.

Evidence that OSNAP increases children’s water consumption during afterschool snack time and identifies contextual factors important for success:

Lee RM, Okechukwu C, Emmons KM, Gortmaker SL. Impact of implementation factors on children’s water consumption in the Out-of-School Nutrition and Physical Activity group-randomized trial. New Dir Youth Dev. 2014 Sep;2014(143):79-101.

Evidence that OSNAP helps afterschool staff to create comprehensive written policies for improving nutrition, physical activity, and screen time in their programs:

Kenney EL, Giles CM, deBlois ME, Gortmaker SL, Chinfatt S, Cradock AL. Improving nutrition and physical activity policies in afterschool programs: results from a group-randomized controlled trial. Prev Med. 2014 Sep;66:159-66.

Evidence that implementing OSNAP is an effective strategy to increase water served to children during afterschool snack:

Giles CM, Kenney EL Gortmaker SL, Lee RM, Thayer JC, Mont-Ferguson H, Cradock AL. Increasing water availability during afterschool snack: evidence, strategies, and partnerships from a group randomized trial. Am J Prev Med. 2012 Sep;43(3 Suppl 2):S136-42.

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OSNAP Effectiveness Trial
Principal Investigator: Steven Gortmaker, PhD
Funder: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Funding Dates: 2009 – 2015

OSNAP Dissemination Study
Principal Investigator: Rebekka Lee, ScD
Funder: National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health
Funding Dates: 2016 – 2018

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OSNAP Success Story

HPRC Partners with Alliance of Massachusetts YMCAs for Statewide Dissemination of the Evidence-based OSNAP Intervention

Through a collaboration between the Alliance of Massachusetts YMCAs and the Harvard Prevention Research Center at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (HPRC), the Out of School Nutrition and Physical Activity (OSNAP) intervention has helped create healthier afterschool, early learning, and camp environments in programs across Massachusetts. A train-the-trainer approach, which honed the expertise of nine YMCA trainers, was used to reach 23 sites that served more than 1575 children during the 2014-2015 school year. YMCA site staff attended a series of three learning collaborative sessions led by these Y trainers, during which they gained the knowledge and skills to make healthy, sustainable changes to program practices and policies. They created data-driven action plans targeting specific physical activity and nutrition goals, and shared successes and challenges with a network of peers. HPRC researchers have previously established the effectiveness of the OSNAP intervention in creating behavior change, documenting increases in children’s vigorous physical activity and improvement in the nutritional quality of snacks children consume. After participating in this statewide spread of the intervention, sites met significantly more OSNAP goals focused on key nutrition, physical activity, and screen time practices, with greatest improvements in increasing physical activity and limiting computer and digital device time offered. This project demonstrates a successful community partnership and implementation of the OSNAP intervention in real world settings for the promotion of children’s physical activity and nutrition!