305612
Incorporating quality assurance measures in program planning and implementation to increase the impact of community-based programs in underserved communities
Strategy: My Brother's Keeper, Inc., private, nonprofit, nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) organization incorporated in 1999 with a history of addressing health disparities among underserved, uninsured or underinsured populations via health education, health promotion, policy change, evaluation, and research, has addressed this organizational gap by incorporating comprehensive QA measures in all of its programmatic activities. In particular, these methods include : (1) identifying benchmarks and activities that lie on each project's critical path; (2) assigning a measure of quality to activities based on funder-specifications; (3) linking quality measures to projects with common activities; (4) conducting quarterly process monitoring and documentation audits; and (5) reporting findings and recommendations for improved quality and effectiveness to program staff.
Results: QA methods were implemented in nine community-based research and behavioral programs over a 3-year period. Of the 115 total program activities , 93% continuously achieved quality based on integrity in implementation and required supporting documentation. Moreover, all programs documented a measurable impact on the targeted population(s) including: (1) an increase in CBO's and healthcare organizations' capacity to implement effective health initiatives; and (2) an increase in individuals' knowledge about risk factors associated with chronic diseases.
Learning Areas:
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practiceImplementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Program planning
Learning Objectives:
Define quality assurance (QA) and describe QA measures, including process monitoring;
Demonstrate how community-based organizations (CBOs) can strategically incorporate QA measures into the planning and implementation phases of community-based programs; and
Discuss how effective implementation of QA methods can increase the impact of community-based programs that target underserved and vulnerable communities.
Keyword(s): Performance Measurement, Community-Based Health
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have over 10 years experience, as Program Manager, in program development, implementation and monitoring of community-based programs aimed at eliminating health disparities, nationwide. I also have over 4 years of experience, as Quality Assurance Manager, in implementing quality assurance measures to ensure the effective implementation and increased impact of community-based programs on underserved populations.
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.