摘要：In 2013, the National Institute of Food and Agriculture supported the creation of a professional development and technical assistance center topromotestrong implementation and evaluation of University-led, community-based projects serving low-resource populations. Withinthis center, a coaching cadre was established to provide proactive andresponsive technical assistance. Formative evaluationinvolvingcoaches and their primary contacts wasused for refinementof coaching practices. Initially, coaches wereencouraged to build strong interpersonal rapport. This set the stage for trusting, reciprocal interactions, butcoaches recognized a need for targeted supportand more tools for quality programming, evaluation, and sustainability. Greater emphasis was placed on goal-focused collaboration. Coaches received training and resources on topics such as goal setting, programquality, reduction of barriers (e.g., participant recruitment), and sustainability strategies. To assess coaching model enhancements, a survey of projects was expanded to gauge logic model usage goal setting, strength of coaching relationships,and projectimplementation and sustainability progress. Overall, coachingwas rated more favorably and effective when contact was consistent,inclusive of face-to-face interaction,met technical needs,and involved collaborative brainstorming and planning.Findings indicate coaching relationshipsstrengthenover time and demand a collaborative, action-orientation to set goals, reduce barriers,and drive stronger outcomes.
