Building Community Participatory Research Coalitions from the Ground Up: The Philadelphia Area Research Community Coalition (PARCC)

Background

Stable, large organizations are thought to be most capable of sustaining community-based research coalitions. However, small grass roots organizations may offer unique opportunities to engage in CBPR.

Objectives

To describe the process and lessons learned establishing the Philadelphia Area Research Community Coalition (PARCC), a heterogeneous group of organizations including large and small grass roots community organizations.

Methods

Over two years, PARCC successfully established an academic community research partnership of 22 diverse organizations of variable size and with variable experience in health research. PARCC's success is based upon committed leadership of representatives of the community-based organizations, a preexisting relationship and trust among selected members from the community and academia, extensive time commitment of members to the coalition's work, and the rapid development of work group activities that gave all members a meaningful role in the coalition.

Results and Lessons Learned

Since its inception 2.5 years ago, PARCC members have established core work groups, a governance structure and operating principles. During the early stages, while the coalition is developing trust, structure, and governance procedures, and research priorities, it can actively participate in community based research as long as the trust building and capacity building is not ignored. Accomplishments include research training activities, community health education projects, and collaboration in research originating in the community and in academia.

Conclusions

Building a CBPR coalition from the ground up involving organizations of diverse size presents unique challenges that can be overcome with committed leadership and appropriate startup funding.