NRC-CTG Program’s Challenges and Lessons Learned in Building the Capacity of 8 Community Coalitions

The effectiveness of multi-sectoral community coalitions to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in chronic disease is increasingly documented (Carlson et. al. 2006; Collie-Akers 2007; Fouad 2006) and acknowledged by funders. However, the capacity of community-based organizations (CBOs) and coalitions to implement and evaluate public health programs is often low (Thompson et al. 2012; Richter et. al 2000). This jeopardizes the sustainability of coalitions and negatively affects their ability to effectively impact health outcomes. The National REACH Coalition received an Acceleration Award through the Community Transformation Grant (CTG) program in 2011. The award provided funding and technical assistance to community coalitions to address chronic disease by increasing access to physical activity, healthy eating, clinic to community best practices, and tobacco control. The qualitative evaluation process implemented in the program utilized in-depth, semi-structured interviews with the first cohort of community coalitions to understand common challenges experienced and capacity needs identified in conducting their projects. The evaluation process also provided information on the efficacy of a national organization supporting community coalitions while being responsive to unique cultural and environmental circumstances. Findings include: community coalitions indicated often having difficulty partnering with local government departments, they often lacked a common understanding of what constituted an ‘evaluation’, and low evaluation capacity was a challenge for the coalitions. We addressed these issues through specific capacity building tactics, including: a blended technical assistance model of group and individualized support, setting partnering standards prior to program implementation, and incorporating strategic planning strategies to increase capacity and sustainability.