A multi-project systems approach to developing community trust and building capacity.
Community characteristics are being recognized as important determinants for effective community-based programs. Community capacity to collaboratively identify issues, establish collective goals, and mobilize resources is built on experience with such interactions and trust among collaborators. Conceptual approaches and methods to develop community capacity rarely have been a focus of research programs, at least in part due to categorical funding, which often limits the scope and duration of interventions, thereby limiting capacity development. This approach uses multiple categorical funding sources to create sustained community programs involving multiple systems to increase capacity. Quasi-experimental evidence of increases in community capacity within two Alabama communities is presented.
Raczynski
J M
JM
Center for Health Promotion, Department of Health Behavior (School of Public Health), Behavioral Medicine Unit, Division of Preventive Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, UAB, USA.
Cornell
C E
CE
Stalker
V
V
Phillips
M
M
Dignan
M
M
Pulley
L
L
Leviton
L
L
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D000368:Aged; D000407:Alabama; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D018672:Community Health Planning / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003159:Community-Institutional Relations; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008875:Middle Aged; D011634:Public Health; D012109:Research Support as Topic