The Summer Electronic Benefit for Children (SEBTC) demonstration provided food assistance to households with school-aged children during the summer through electronic benefit transfer (EBT) procedures used by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) programs. The evaluation design included two components: an impact study and an implementation study. The evaluation assessed the impact of SEBTC on children's food security and nutritional status, household food expenditures and purchasing behaviors, parental perceptions, and participation in nutrition assistance programs. The implementation study analyzed SEBTC use patterns using administrative data, and described demonstration implementation and costs.
The SEBTC evaluation took place in the summers of 2011 through 2014. Ten grantees implemented the demonstration in a total of 16 sites; the number of participating sites and/or the evaluation components differed by year. In 2011, 5 grantees with five sites participated and the evaluation included implementation and cost analysis, EBT analysis, and an impact study. In 2012, 10 grantees implemented SEBTC in 14 sites and the evaluation included the same study components. In 2013, four grantees with six sites participated and the study components included EBT analysis and an impact study (no implementation or cost data collection). Finally, in 2014, three grantees participated in three sites and only implementation data were collected. Information on human subjects was collected for the evaluation's impact evaluation.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
85,000
SEBTC benefits were issued on EBT cards using either the existing EBT delivery systems for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for Women Infants and Children (WIC). Sites selected only one of the two EBT systems to be used to implement SEBTC prior to random assignment; households were not randomized to a specific delivery system.
Very low food security among children according to the U.S. Household Food Security Survey Module, 30-day reference period
The food intake of any child in the household is reduced and their normal eating patterns are disrupted because the household lacks money and other resources for food
Time frame: Between 30 and 120 days after SEBTC benefits were issued
Food insecurity among children according to the U.S. Household Food Security Survey Module, 30-day reference period
Any child in the household experienced very low food security or experienced reduced quality, variety, or desirability of diet.
Time frame: Between 30 and 120 days after SEBTC benefits were issued
Children's fruit and vegetable consumption
Average daily cup equivalents of fruit and vegetables
Time frame: Between 30 and 120 days after SEBTC benefits were issued
Children's fruit and vegetable consumption without fried potatoes
Average daily cup equivalents of fruit and vegetables, excluding fried potatoes
Time frame: Between 30 and 120 days after SEBTC benefits were issued
children's whole grain consumption
Average daily consumption of whole grains (in ounces)
Time frame: between 30 and 120 days after SEBTC benefits were issued
Children's dairy consumption
Average daily dairy consumption cup equivalents
Time frame: Between 30 and 120 days after SEBTC benefits were issued
Children's consumption of low- and non-fat milk
Any milk consumed was low- or non-fat
Time frame: Between 30 and 120 days after SEBTC benefits were issued
Children's consumption of added sugars
Average daily consumption of added sugars (in teaspoons)
Time frame: Between 30 and 120 days after SEBTC benefits were issued
Children's consumption of added sugars excluding cereals
Average daily consumption of added sugars excluding cereals (in teaspoons)
Time frame: Between 30 and 120 days after SEBTC benefits were issued
Children's consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages
Average daily consumption of sugars (in teaspoons) from sugar-sweetened beverages
Time frame: Between 30 and 120 days after SEBTC benefits were issued
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.