More than 60 community members from across the Navajo Nation have been trained in groups facilitation techniques and community wellness planning, using a culturally specific approach, integrating traditional navajo teacxhing about health and wellness. The impact of these individuals in their communities is reviewed, and qualitative community feedback discussed. These data, combined with our on-going experience, reinforces the idea that there is an untapped reserve of community potential, energy and commitment to stimulate and sustain positive change in the community. The key to tapping into these critical assets lay in providing training, support and resources to help the communities develop strategies and plans to leverage their assets and realize their health and wellness goals locally. No one – within the community or the local health systems – can afford to wait for an external service provider to remedy the most pressing health needs of the community.
Learning Objectives: at the end of this presentation, participants will be able to describe how loca community members, trainined in facilitation methods, can be effective change agents in Native communities
Keywords: Community-Based Partnership, Navajo
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.