218694 Initial steps in creating community partnerships to eliminate health disparities: An assessment of local community agencies in Northern Colorado

Monday, November 8, 2010

Ashley Walker, PhD, CHES , Health and Kinesiology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA
Jill Bezyak, PhD, CRC , Human Rehabilitative Services, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO
Elizabeth Gilbert, EdD , Community Health, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO
Purpose: Partnerships between organizations can prove to be beneficial for all entities involved. An effective community partnership will move beyond data driven initiatives to ignite a greater commitment to a community's quality of life. Community partnerships also increase the likelihood public health programming will be community-based, instead of ‘placed'. The purpose of the study was to conduct a needs assessment of community agencies in Northern Colorado in order to describe the current status and future need for community partnerships. Methods and Results: A mixed methods design consisting of an online survey and focus groups was used. The sample for the online survey consisted of 55 individuals employed at local human service agencies. Results indicate a majority of participants endorse strong agency support of community partnerships (92.8%), and report adequate resources available for the development and improvement of community partnerships (87.1%). When asked if agency employees or local residents have been interviewed about community health needs and disparities, the overall response was more negative. The qualitative portion of the study was conducted using two focus groups. The focus groups were audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using the constant-comparative method to identify significant themes that emerged during the focus group dialogue. The identified themes included barriers and solutions to service delivery and community partnerships. Conclusions: The results from this study provide the initial steps needed to effectively develop community partnerships and it provides valuable lessons learned about community engagement, which is a crucial component in the ongoing effort to eliminate health disparities.

Learning Areas:
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Other professions or practice related to public health
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe the importance of community engagement and community partnerships in the elimination of health disparities. 2. Identify three benefits of developing community partnerships in their local area. 3. Apply practical guidelines to develop of community partnerships.

Keywords: Community-Based Partnership, Health Disparities

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to present because I am faculty for a community health program, my terminal degree is in health studies, I am CHES certified, and have completed other community-based research prior to this project.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.