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

Abstract #114710

Julie Parrish St. John, MA, MPH¹, Angie L. Alaniz², Jeff Barstad³, James N. Burdine, DrPH⁴, Heather M. Dillard, MPH², Stacy Maines, BS⁵, Aurelio Martinez, LBSW⁶, Nella Mupier⁴, and Monica L. Wendel, MA, MPH⁷. (1) Independent Consultant, 5514 Roanwood, San Antonio, TX 78244, 210-666-9326, juliestjohn@sbcglobal.net, (2) Community Health Development Program, School of Rural Public Health, 1103 University Drive East, Suite 100, College Station, TX 77840, (3) Center for Community Health Development, School of Rural Public Health, Texas A&M University HSC, 1103 University Drive, Suite 100, College Station, TX 77840, (4) Center for Community Health Development, School of Rural Public Health, Texas A&M University System Health Science Center, 1103 University Drive, Suite 100, College Station, TX 77840, (5) Center for Community Development, School of Rural Public Health, 1103 University Dr., 200, College Station, TX 77840, (6) Prevention Research Center for Rural Community Health Development, School of Rural Public Health, Texas A&M University Syste Health Science Center, 701 E. Vermont Ave., McAllen, TX 78503, (7) Center for Community Health Development, School of Rural Public Health, Texas A&M University, 1103 University Drive, Suite 100, College Station, TX 77840

During 2002-2003, the Center for Community Health Development (CCHD, School of Rural Public Health, The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center) conducted the South Texas Health Status Assessment (STHSA) in Hidalgo and Starr Counties. In August 2003, CCHD presented results to Starr County community leaders, service providers, and residents. After presenting the results, concerned and committed parties formed “Estrella Saludable” Starr County Health Partnership (ESSCHP), whose major goal is to establish a network of community leaders and agencies/organizations who work collaboratively to increase access to and utilization of services and improve health status of community residents. The ESSCHP underwent a planning phase and is now in an implementation phase where task groups on diabetes and domestic violence are initiating county-wide activities. This session will discuss how CCHD became a true “partner” and not another “academic institution” that came to study their community's problems. The major barrier CCHD had to overcome in working with the ESSCHP was to gain the trust and confidence of community partners. This particular community has been “researched” by multiple academic institutions—with little sustainability of former projects, and because of this, several potential partners were hesitant to participate or make long-term commitments. Specifically, this session will emphasis the types of structures and communication strategies needed to facilitate partnerships whose major challenge is to overcome a history of lack of coordination and sustainability of university-initiated projects.

Learning Objectives: At the end of this session, participants will be able to

• describe how CCHD overcame the stigma of being another “academic institution” that came to “study” the Starr County community;
• discuss structures and communication strategies that help partnerships overcome lack of coordination; and
• identify strategies to engage sustained community participation and ownership.

Keywords: Community-Based Partnership, Community Development

Related Web page: www.srph.tamhsc.edu/centers/chd/SCP.htm

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.

Recorded presentation