P2.J199: Program Evaluation for the Novel FLiP Navigators Program: Connecting Pediatric Families to Resources Related to Food Insecurity, Physical Activity, and Nutritional Education

Background: Pediatric primary care providers play a key role in promoting healthy active lifestyles for children and families. The 2024 clinical report “The Role of the Pediatrician in the Promotion of Healthy, Active Living” serves to complement previously published pediatric guidelines for the prevention of obesity and promotion of a healthy lifestyle. This report recognizes that conditions of the socio-ecological environment of patients can be a barrier to healthy lifestyle goals. The Family Lifestyle Program (FLiP) is a clinical-community collaborative in Washington, DC aimed to address diet-related chronic disease through a family-centered lens. FLiP utilizes medical students trained as Patient Navigators (PNs) to connect families to community resources regarding nutrition education, physical activity, and food insecurity.

Methods: The FLiP program was implemented in two hospital affiliated health centers in 2021 and initial evaluation through qualitative participant surveys demonstrated that 96% of participants viewed FLiP as a beneficial program they would recommend to others. Quantitative program data is captured through the workflow process and a program evaluation is being conducted prior to expansion to other hospital-affiliated health centers. Analysis utilizes total numbers (n) and percentages for comparison. PNs received referrals from primary care clinicians or family self-referral. Interested parties completed an online survey. A FLiP Navigator then completed an intake call collecting data regarding food and physical activity access and self-reported needs. PNs provide a tailored resource guide to participants ranging from federal to local community programs. Data is securely managed through Children’s National REDCap.

Results: This program currently recruits from two high volume clinical primary care practices. Since January 2022, 969 families have been referred. 50.5% of families completed the intake call. Families were referred by their child’s pediatrician on the following basis: 82.5% for food access resources, 60.4% for nutrition education, and 53.5% for physical activity resources. Families identified the following needs: 75.9% interest in food resources, 66.5% for nutrition education, and 72.5% in physical activity resources. Approximately 25% of families reported further need for emergency food resources, despite 41.2% and 18.1% of the population receiving SNAP and WIC respectively.

Conclusion: Evaluation of this program indicates community pediatricians are able to recognize patient and family needs regarding nutrition education, physical activity, and food insecurity. Data demonstrates clear need and desire amongst families for related resources. Although guidelines for healthy lifestyle amongst pediatric populations exist to support obesity prevention and healthy and active lifestyles, barriers continue to exist. Food environments, neighborhood safety, and socioeconomic factors present real barriers to maintain food security and foster a healthy environment. This program recognizes that each family experiences unique barriers and serves to provide tailored resource access through a service learning model.