title: Utilization of an interorganizational network analysis to evaluate the development of community capacity among a community-academic partnership.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Following a community health assessment the Brazos Valley Health Partnership (BVHP) organized to address fragmentation of services and local health needs. This regional partnership employs the fundamental principles of community-based participatory research, fostering an equitable partnership with the aim of building community capacity to address local health issues.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This article describes changes in relationships as a result of capacity building efforts in a community-academic partnership. Growth in network structure among organizations is hypothesized to be indicative of less fragmentation of services for residents and increased capacity of the BVHP to collectively address local health issues.
  
  
  METHODS
  Each of the participant organizations responded to a series of questions regarding its relationships with other organizations. Each organization was asked about information sharing, joint planning, resource sharing, and formal agreements with other organizations. The network survey has been administered 3 times between 2004 and 2009.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Network density increased for sharing information and jointly planning events. Growth in the complexity of relationships was reported for sharing tangible resources and formal agreements. The average number of ties between organizations as well as the strength of relationships increased.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides evidence that the community capacity building efforts within these communities have contributed to beneficial changes in interorganizational relationships. Results from this analysis are useful for understanding how a community partnership's efforts to address access to care can strengthen a community's capacity for future action. Increased collaboration also leads to new assets, resources, and the transfer of knowledge and skills.
authors.forename: Heather R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ramirez
authors.forename: Kelly N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Drake
authors.forename: Christopher E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Beaudoin
authors.forename: Whitney R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Garney
authors.forename: Monica L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Wendel
authors.forename: Corliss
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Outley
authors.forename: James N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Burdine
authors.forename: Harold D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Player
mesh_terms: D057191:Capacity Building / Q000379:methods*; D019058:Community Networks / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination / Q000379:methods; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D016730:Program Development / Q000379:methods; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods; D013781:Texas