Browsing by Author "Pragg, Sarah"
Now showing 1 - 7 of 7
Results Per Page
Sort Options
Item Health Policy Issue Brief 4 - Access to Healthy Foods in the Built Environment(2015-07) Jacobson, Eric; Homsey, Andrew; Pragg, Sarah; Floros, Emily; Stump, Jessica; Clark, Amy; Miller, PattiWhile the United States boasts one of the most abundant food supplies in the world, disparities in access, affordability, and quality of healthy foods have continued to plague communities across the country. Millions of Americans are living without access to healthy foods, and the alarming rates of obesity and dietrelated diseases continue to increase. Nevertheless, many promising practices and policies implemented within diverse communities demonstrate that the challenges to increasing access to healthy foods in underserved communities can be resolved. Continued research on the issue will encourage local, state, and national attention and allow policymakers, community leaders, and advocates to explore solutions that address the role that access to healthy foods plays in promoting healthy economies, healthy communities, and healthy people.Item Planning for Complete Communities in Delaware: Strategic Promotion and Dissemination of the Online Delaware Complete Communities Planning Toolbox(2015-12) Scott, Marcia; Pragg, Sarah; Telleri, FrankIn January 2014, the Institute for Publication (IPA) at the University of Delaware launched the online Delaware Complete Communities Planning Toolbox (completecommunitiesde.org). The website was designed to be visually appealing and provide three major sections of resources to build local-government capacity to develop complete-communities planning approaches, community-design tools, and public-engagement strategies. Since January 2014, more than 20 new content areas have been added. When the Toolbox was first introduced in 2014, the official “launch” and promotion of the site was delayed to direct attention to the state’s new Downtown Development Districts initiative. The Toolbox project team took advantage of this downtime and used it as an opportunity to request feedback on the functionality and content of the Toolbox and to develop a full promotional strategy for the Toolbox. In FY 2015 (July 1, 2014–June 30, 2015), the Toolbox generated 5,187 sessions and attracted nearly 4,000 new visitors (77%) and over 1,000 returning visitors (23%). Based on metrics for top “landing pages,” or the web page where a user enters the website, the most popular topics included streetscaping, transit-oriented development, public engagement, and visual preference surveys. The affiliated YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/user/CompleteCommunities) featured 35 videos. In FY 2015, 3,684 videos were viewed. This Phase IV project initiated strategic Toolbox promotion and dissemination to publicize aspects and features of the website and determine what content is useful and which features need to be modified or augmented. In August 2015, social media campaigns for Twitter and Facebook were launched. The Delaware League of Local Governments, Sussex County Association of Towns, Delaware Chapter of the American Planning Association, Newark Rotary, and Delaware Institute for Local Government Leaders all featured presentations on the Toolbox. A presentation is scheduled for the Delaware Municipal Web Developers Group in 2016. Since initiating the Toolbox marketing plan, page views have almost doubled, and users are viewing more pages per session and staying on the site longer. FY 2016 is on track to surpass FY 2015 engagement levels. In fewer than six months (July 1, 2015–December 5, 2015), the Toolbox generated 3,198 sessions and attracted nearly 2,328 new visitors (73%) and 870 returning visitors (27%). The most popular topics included streetscaping, economic development, transit-oriented development, and benefits of mixed-use development. The YouTube channel now has 37 videos, with an additional 974 views. The top five videos are Proposed Delaware Avenue Cycle Track (two versions); Rural Land Management Tools: Transfer of Development Rights; Designing Better Places: Section 1; and Park and Recreation Master Planning. With the implementation of social media strategies on Facebook and Twitter, engagement on both platforms has more than doubled. The Facebook page has earned 70 more likes (followers) and reached as many as 53 of those followers at any given time (compared to six prior to the campaign). Similarly, project tweets are viewed as much as 6,000 times, compared to 1,000 times prior to the campaign. Most notably, stakeholders are actively engaging with posts, by retweeting and replying to postsItem Planning for Complete Communities in Delaware: Support, Development, Promotion, and Maintenance of the Delaware Complete Communities Planning Toolbox(2017-06) Pragg, Sarah; Scott, Marcia; Stanko, Haley; White, TimIn fiscal year (FY) 2015, the Planning for Complete Communities in Delaware Phase IV project initiated strategic Delaware Complete Communities Planning Toolbox promotion and dissemination to publicize aspects and features of the website and determine what content is useful and which features need to be modified or augmented. This report details the work completed in the 18-month project period between July 1, 2015 and December 31, 2016.Item Research to Assess Branding and Marketing Needs for DelDOT TMC’s Real-Time Traveler Information System(Institute for Public Administration, 2014-06) DeCoursey, William J.; Scott, Marcia S.; Pragg, Sarah; Kirschling, Neil W.; Heath, Geoffrey A.; Inman Perry, RebekahThe Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) Transportation Management Center (TMC) is well regarded for its state-of-the-art Integrated Transportation Management System (ITMS), which emphasizes integration and management equally to its deployment of advanced technology. A variety of technologies are used to provide real-time traveler information to help maximize operational capacity of Delaware’s heavily traveled roadways and help motorists make informed decisions about choosing and planning the best trip routes. Real-time traffic information and traveler alerts are provided via DelDOT’s website, traveler advisory radio station, and social media sites. In November 2012, DelDOT introduced its free mobile application, which is available to both Android and Apple iOS users. At present, the real-time traveler information application (DelDOT App) is most suitable for pre-trip planning. In addition to providing real-time traveler information, the app features DelDOT news, events, streaming traffic cameras, live traffic advisories, weather information, and radio traffic broadcasts. While the launch of the DelDOT App was promoted via the DelDOT website and press releases, the agency expressed concern that the traveling public lacked sufficient awareness of the app. The Institute for Public Administration (IPA) at the University of Delaware was enlisted to conduct research to assess marketing needs for the DelDOT App. The goal of this study is to craft a comprehensive marketing plan that meets the needs of its target markets. Outcomes of this study may be incorporated into TMC’s strategic plan update and may guide opportunities to guide future investments, leverage resources, and expand marketing/branding strategies to enhance use of real-time traveler information technology.Item Research to Assess Branding and Marketing Needs for DelDOT TMC’s Real-Time Traveler Information System Summary Brief(Institute for Public Administration, 2014-05-29) DeCoursey, William J.; Scott, Marcia S.; Pragg, Sarah; Dworsky, Bernard; Kirschling, Neil W.; Heath, Geoffrey A.; Inman Perry, RebekahThe Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) Transportation Management Center (TMC) is well regarded for its state-of-the-art Integrated Transportation Management System (ITMS), which emphasizes integration and management equally to its deployment of advanced technology. A variety of technologies are used to provide real-time traveler information to help maximize operational capacity of Delaware’s heavily traveled roadways and help motorists make informed decisions about choosing and planning the best trip routes. Real-time traffic information and traveler alerts are provided via DelDOT’s website, traveler advisory radio station, and social media sites. In November 2012, DelDOT introduced its free mobile application, which is available to both Android and Apple iOS users. At present, the real-time traveler information application (DelDOT App) is most suitable for pre-trip planning. In addition to providing real-time traveler information, the app features DelDOT news, events, streaming traffic cameras, live traffic advisories, weather information, and radio traffic broadcasts. While the launch of the DelDOT App was promoted via the DelDOT website and press releases, the agency expressed concern that the traveling public lacked sufficient awareness of the app. The Institute for Public Administration (IPA) at the University of Delaware was enlisted to conduct research to assess marketing needs for the DelDOT App. The goal of this study is to craft a comprehensive marketing plan that meets the needs of its target markets. Outcomes of this study may be incorporated into TMC’s strategic plan update and may guide opportunities to guide future investments, leverage resources, and expand marketing/branding strategies to enhance use of real-time traveler information technology.Item Transportation Improvement Districts: An Overview for Local Government Leaders(2018-03) Pragg, Sarah; Scott, Marcia; Coakley, SarahA short brochure that covers the definition and purpose of Transportation Improvement Districts in Delaware, frequently asked questions, benefits, examples, and testimonials.Item Trends and Challenges Related to Food Insecurity Among Rural Households with School-aged Children–Before, During, and Beyond the Pandemic(2022-06-17) O'Hanlon, Julia; Minni, Nicole; Crowell, Emma; Pragg, SarahThis policy brief is part of a suite of tools developed by the University of Delaware’s Institute for Public Administration and the Delaware Council on Farm and Food Policy. It presents Delaware-specific issues related to school-aged children from rural, low-income, and/or minority households, including a case study of food-security vulnerabilities in western Sussex County. Examples of how continual data and mapping resources can be used to better understand the communities in this region are featured. National food insecurity issues and efforts are discussed to provide broader context. This brief presents long-term considerations and opportunities to address barriers to accessing community food resources at the state and local levels.