title: Using the community readiness model as an approach to formative evaluation.
abstract: This article presents an adapted version of an established model for assessing community readiness along with an illustrative case example from the evaluation of Positive Action, a school-based social and character development intervention, implemented as part of a randomized controlled trial in Chicago Public Schools from 2004 through 2010. Community readiness is an emerging assessment approach that can be used to gauge the level of understanding, desire, and ownership that community members have regarding a community problem and/or intervention. This approach is useful in engaging the community and leveraging particular aspects of readiness that the community may exhibit in order to maximize an intervention's successful implementation. The article concludes with a discussion of ways in which a community readiness model may be useful in health promotion practice, both in schools and in other community settings.
authors.affiliation: University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60608, USA.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jarpe-Ratner
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fagen
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Day
authors.forename: Kelsey
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gilmet
authors.forename: Joshua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Prudowsky
authors.forename: Brad L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Neiger
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: DuBois
authors.forename: Brian R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Flay
mesh_terms: D001364:Awareness; D002641:Chicago; D003256:Community Participation / Q000523:psychology*; D004522:Educational Status; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007857:Leadership; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012574:Schools / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012649:Self Concept; D012919:Social Behavior
keywords: community readiness; formative evaluation; school-based programs