Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #102767

Naim Kapucu, Dr, Public Administration Department, College of Health and Public Affairs, University of Central Florida, HPA II Suite 238 M, Orlando, FL 32816, (407) 823-6096, nkapucu@mail.ucf.edu and Larry Williams, MS, Office of Minority Health, Orange County Health Deparment, 475 W. Story Rd, Suite 1, Ocoee, FL 32761.

Minority Community - Based Organizations face unique challenges to capacity building. Capacity building can be defined as activities aimed at building multi-dimensions of organizational capacity and effectiveness, including those such as partnership/networking essential to provide better service to distressed communities. Capacity building activities mainly focus on leadership development, organization development, and interorganizational collaboration. Strong and self-sufficient organizations can provide needed services to the distressed communities and be important vehicles for solving community problems. The paper will describe University of Central Florida Department of Public Administration's technical assistance project for the Orange County Health Department to assist 8 small nonprofit agencies provide HIV/AIDS education and direct services to minority communities. Deliverables include 64 grant proposals written by the students and agency representatives with faculty oversight, on-site training in financial management and strategic planning, group training, concrete products such as an annual report for public relations, and customized assistance. Benefits include assisting the Orange County minority community, major student support and experience, demonstrating current expertise, building capacity for other training projects, and funding support. The paper also will examine obstacles and opportunities to building the capacity for urban, community-based minority health nonprofit organizations in Central Florida. This paper is a critical reflection on field experience not a systematic scientific inquiry. Participant observations, interviews, and conversations with associates provided information to the paper. The design and execution of the project and lessons learned from the project can have some important relevance to others in the fields of health administration and community partnerships.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe and analyze a university public health agency partnership for capacity building for minority health agencies
• Examine obstacles and opportunities to building the capacity for urban, community-based minority health nonprofit organizations

Keywords: Minority Health, Partnerships

Related Web page: news.ucf.edu/UCFnews/index?page=article&id=00240041998c09010172bc8038007d65&mode=news

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.