Forming Partnerships: It’s All About Relationships
It takes many people from the community to create a useful needs assessment. Drawing upon a variety of diverse opinions, experiences, histories, and skills will ensure that the right questions are asked and the real stories are told. When community leaders and gatekeepers contribute to the needs assessment, they are more likely to support the results of the completed CSA.
When thinking about the partnership planning committee, include individuals with a high level of familiarity and knowledge about the community and information about the focus population and issue. These can include members from the focus population, community members, service providers, service fund-makers, and policy makers. In our example of high HIV rates in Native youth, the planning committee to address this problem might include Native teen clients, nurses, and medical staff from the local clinic, concerned parents and grandparents, a health administrator, and perhaps a representative or liaison from the local tribal government.
Include at least 8-12 people in the planning process. They won’t all be able to help with the nuts and bolts of the work, but they will be able to serve as collaborators, advisors, and participants in the process.
A Note about Decisions
Working with a community-driven CSA is a time intensive process. It is important that community members have information and orientation, if necessary, about HIV and any other health concern under investigation. It is also important that all voices at the table have input, ample time is allowed for discussion, and decisions are made thoughtfully. For example, if community representatives feel rushed, outvoted, or unheard, they may decline further participation. Many Native communities, but not all, have found the use of a consensus model of decision-making, where discussion allows for a generally agreed upon decision, to be most effective.
Who’s In Charge?
One group or agency usually takes responsibility for facilitating the CSA process. The facilitation activities include scheduling and hosting meetings, maintaining agendas and minutes (to capture all the steps in the process and create an institutional history and record for future projects), and keeping tables of the activities and timelines.
Before forming your planning group, consider the following:
• Who from the community should be included?
• Do they represent the group or area?
• Are there barriers to participation?
• If yes, then how do we overcome them?
• How will community members be involved in the needs assessment process?
• How will decisions be made?
Click here for a step by step example of how Our Town’s planning committee was formed. |
