Early assessment initiative using the Systematic Screening and Assessment Method: Three case studies.

Three case studies describe how the Systematic Screening and Assessment (SSA) Method was used to identify innovations that hold promise to prevent childhood obesity. Nominations were reviewed by an expert panel; those having the greatest potential and therefore meriting closer examination through evaluability assessment were identified, and finally the panel chose those that were promising and ready for evaluation. The three case examples are the Fresh Food Financing Initiative of the Food Trust of Philadelphia; New York City's regulations to enforce healthy eating and physical activity in 1,600 licensed day care centers; and the Natrona County, Wyoming, School District local wellness policy. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc., and the American Evaluation Association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]