Building capacity for policy, systems, and environmental change: The community prevention readiness self-assessment

In the past two years, we have seen extensive federal support for community health and prevention. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the Affordable Care Act have provided millions of dollars to local and state health departments to improve access to healthy food, provide opportunities for physical activity, and prevent the harmful impacts of tobacco. Health departments across the country are implementing policy, systems and environmental change (PSE) efforts through the Communities Putting Prevention to Work initiative. Looking to the future, local and state health departments and community groups are asking themselves, “How can we prepare ourselves for future federal funding opportunities?”

Prevention Institute serves as a core technical assistance provider to CPPW grantees and has provided training and consultation to both CPPW and non-CPPW groups across the country that are working to create healthier environments. Prevention Institute staff developed the Community Prevention Readiness Self-Assessment to allow groups to be proactive and conduct a candid evaluation of their current capacity to engage in environmental change. Key elements of the assessment include: taking a comprehensive approach, building a strong collaboration, fostering strong interdisciplinary partnerships, identifying core leadership, advancing health equity, and building capacity among staff and partners.

This session will introduce participants to the Community Prevention Readiness Self-Assessment and provide examples of community prevention readiness in action. The audience will also gain practical input as to how they can enhance their efforts to be ever more effective in engaging in community prevention and prepared for future funding opportunities.