Community-based organizations (CBOs) spend much time and effort developing programs designed to meet client needs. Once energy and creativity are spent on planning and implementing innovative programming, evaluation often commands little more than an afterthought. With the limited or non-existent funding allowed in implementation grants, it is difficult to evaluate how well programs fulfill their objectives and meet client needs. University students often learn about program development and evaluation without getting any "real life" experience in their community. Through collaborative efforts with CBOs, students can learn about their community and interact with populations they might otherwise never have an opportunity to meet. The South Beach AIDS Project and graduate students in Public Health at Florida International University (FIU) developed a collaboration which resulted in a needs assessment, baseline data gathering, and program evaluation for "Project Quest" (PQ). Both groups realized major benefits which would never have been achieved outside of the collaboration. PQ’s major goal is to reduce high-risk sexual behaviors among young gay men in South Beach. The project was funded by the State of Florida, and was in its initial start-up when FIU students became involved. Through survey development, data analysis, and evaluation planning students were able to recognize how programs meet goals and objectives. Characteristics of the population were delineated and recommendations for PQ were presented in a community forum held in South Beach in April 1999. This presentation will provide a description of the collaborative process. The overview will be discussed from the perspectives of students, their professor, and CBO administration.
Learning Objectives: 1. Identify key elements involved in developing a goal-oriented partnership between community-based organizations and universities. 2. Describe the advantages and areas of concern which arise from student participation in a community-based organization’s programs and evaluations. 3. Discuss the outcomes of student participation in meeting the goals of community-based organizations
Keywords: Community Collaboration, Public Health Curriculum
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: South Beach Aids Project
Florida International University
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: former student