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Recorded presentation

Derek M. Griffith, PhD, Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan, SPH 11, M2525, 109 Observatory, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, 734 936-1318, derekmg@umich.edu, E. Hill DeLoney, Flint Odyssey House Health Awareness Center, 1225 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Flint, MI 48503, Julie Ober Allen, MPH, Prevention Research Center of MI, University of Michigan, 109 Observatory, M2180, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029, Bettina Campbell, MSW, YOUR Center, 4002 N. Saginaw St., Flint, MI 48505, Yvonne Lewis, Faith Access to Community Economic Development, 310 East Third Street, 5th Floor, Flint, MI 48503, and Arlene Sparks, GCCARD, 601 N. Saginaw Street, Suite 2-C, Flint, MI 48502.

The ability of community representatives to participate equitably in research has received increased attention as a strategy to address persistent health disparities. When universities, health departments, health providers and other institutions participate in collaborative projects, however, they typically have more power, resources, financial stability, and research expertise than community-based organization (CBO) partners. These inequities are problematic because they inhibit trust, communication, and relationships that are fundamental to community based-participatory research. This paper describes the theory, principles, processes, and evaluation of a participatory intervention to build the capacity of CBOs to more effectively conduct and collaborate in community-based research. This intervention research project integrates a conceptualization of power with a model of organizational empowerment. The project is designed to enhance CBOs' ability to collaborate in and lead community-based participatory research projects by helping to increase their capacity to (a) utilize data for program planning and evaluation, (b) collaborate with the university and other institutional partners, (c) influence state and local policy, and (d) efficiently acquire and utilize financial resources. Seven CBOs have participated in organizational self-assessments, technical assistance, trainings, and workshops with the goal of helping them to be more effective research partners. Preliminary results highlight the dilemma facing CBOs: despite strong leadership and their ability to connect with and mobilize the community, CBOs often lack the power to access to relationships and resources that lead to economic viability. Addressing the economic viability and stability of CBOs is essential to the future success of community partnerships and community-based participatory research.

Learning Objectives:

• 1. Recognize the benefits of building the fiscal capacity of CBO partners to more equitably collaborate in community-based research.
• 2. Describe a participatory intervention for building the capacity of CBOs, including the use of self-assessments for determining training and technical assistance objectives.
• 3. Identify at least five types of organizational capacity building unrelated to knowledge of research that can help CBOs more effectively participate in community-based research.

Keywords: Community Participation, Community Collaboration

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation