The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #69388

Muriel J. Harris, PhD, MPH¹, Donna L. Richter, EdD¹, Kathryn J. Luchok, PhD¹, Kimberly Nichols Dauner, MPH¹, Marya Shegog, BA¹, Sai Ganti, MD¹, Delesha L. Miller, BS¹, and Ivory Kimbrough². (1) Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Health Sciences Building, Columbia, SC 29208, 803-777-1824, murielh@gwm.sc.edu, (2) CDC, 1600 Clifton Road, M/S #40, Atlanta, GA 30329

The CDC/Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH) Institute for HIV Prevention Leadership, a national model for capacity-building in CBOs, focuses on the interweaving of public health prevention principles with strategic management practice skills to enhance both HIV prevention program effectiveness and organizational viability. Scholars who participated in the Institute for HIV Prevention Leadership were asked to complete qualitative surveys that looked at their application of knowledge and skills learned during the Institute in their CBOs after they returned home. Scholars' responses were gathered in the Qualitative Survey of Costs and Benefits (telephone interviews) and in the Knowledge and Skills Integration survey (e/mail/pencil and paper) and data analyzed using a theme-based computer assisted analysis program (NVivo). Scholars reported that they were able to increase their effectiveness in their jobs with improved capacity to: 1)complete community assessments, 2)engage in program planning, 3)undertake strategic planning activities revising policies and procedures, and 4)develop the knowledge and skills of colleagues at their CBO through training and other interactive activities. Additional data will be presented on the scholars' integration of knowledge and skills gained at the Institute in their HIV prevention programming and the benefits and barriers to completing the required integrative learning experience (ILE) project, which entailed working closely with their CBOs, and their communities to apply the knowledge and skills they were learning at the Intitute in thier real-world setting. Lessons learned and their implications for other capacity building initiatives will be discussed.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to:
• Describe ways Institute participants increased their effectiveness on the job
• Identify benefits and barriers related to scholars completing the Integrative Learning Experience project
• Explain how lessons learned from the Institute can be applied to other capacity building inititives
• Understand the potential for capacity building initiatives to impact on HIV prevention program development

Keywords: Organizational Change, Community-Based Public Health

Related Web page: www.ihpl.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: CDC/ASPH Institute for HIV Prevention Leadership
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.