Evaluating a community-based needs assessment capacity building program: Findings from the Health DATA Train the Trainer Project

APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Amy Carroll, MPH¹, Peggy Toy, MA¹, Steven Wallace, PhD², and Roberta Wyn, PhD¹. (1) UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, Health DATA Program, 10911 Weyburn Avenue, Suite 300, Los Angeles, CA 90024, 619-358-9881, amycarr@ucla.edu, (2) UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, 10911 Weyburn Avenue, Suite 300, Los Angeles, CA 90024

BACKGROUND: Health DATA is a public service program of the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research that aims to build the capacity of advocates to use health research data to address policy issues important to the communities they serve. The Health DATA Train the Trainer Project was funded by The California Endowment to deliver a community assessment course and curriculum to community-based leaders, coalitions, and nonprofit organizations throughout Southern California. Course participants in turn became “trainers” and used the curriculum to train their staff, volunteers, and community members. METHODS: Through participant surveys, interviews, and project monitoring, the evaluation documented: 1) delivery of the course and curriculum to underserved communities; 2) trainer support provided by Health DATA in the form of technical assistance, follow-up, and materials; 3) trainers' innovations in adapting the curriculum to their community needs; and 4) trainers' challenges and successes in planning and conducting their community assessment training. RESULTS: Results indicate: 1) trainers required substantial support to plan and conduct their training; 2) trainer challenges included the difficulty of delivering complex research concepts and tailoring the material to audiences of diverse backgrounds and skill levels; 3) trainers' solutions included applying the curriculum to the public health concerns of their community or the current work of their agency; and 4) curricula continue to be disseminated to community leaders through on-line distribution and the institutionalization of community assessment trainings in trainers' agencies. This presentation will highlight case studies and recommendations useful to similar train-the-trainer and community-based capacity building programs.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to

3. Understand the importance of providing training and technical assistance to build the capacity of community-based leaders, coalitions, advocates, and organizations to conduct needs assessments to address the health needs and priorities of the communities they serve.
6. Discuss the importance of evaluating train-the-trainer programs in order to highlight the challenges and successes of this model to build the skills, knowledge and capacity of communities.
9. Apply recommendations to similar community-based train-the-trainer or other capacity building efforts.

Keywords: Community Capacity, Community Health Assessment

Related Web page: www.healthpolicy.ucla.edu/healthdata/index.html

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation

Methodological Tools Used for Workforce Development and Community Planning

The 134th Annual Meeting & Exposition (November 4-8, 2006) of APHA