Community Based Research and PolicyOptions

1. Community Based Research and PolicyOptions Exploring the Possibilities of CBR and PolicyOptions at our Bonner Service Sites

2. Community Based Research (CBR) • CBR is a collaborative enterprise undertaken by academics (professors and students) and community members. • The purpose of CBR is to compile information, identify resources, and create knowledge in order to meet community identified needs. • The most effective CBR projects result from strong developmental community partnerships. • Ex: DEEP (Developing Engaging Educational Partnerships) • CBR Projects with highest utility involve participation from both parties at each stage of the research process.

3. Goals of Community Based Research • Meet the primary needs of the community partner organizations and individuals within the community. • Encapsulate and institutionalize CBR within an institution of higher education. • Increase interdependency and collaboration amongst community partners, public institutions, and higher education. • Mobilizing resources to drive positive outcomes in the community, achieve social change, and promote social justice

4. Mutual Capacity Building Through CBR • Build and enhance organizational capacities for both parties, • Providing a valuable learning opportunities for the students • Developing the undergraduate research competencies of Siena College. • Analyzing and assessing needs of the organization’s community and constituencies. • Information can be used to help secure funding & organize community members. • Facilitates the development of research competencies on part of the agency staff and community members.

5. What is PolicyOptions? • A national network created by the Bonner Foundation for the purpose of disseminating public policy information, best practices, and community based research across the Bonner Network. • The Mission • “To fill an important gap in our public life: the availability of accurate, balanced, comprehensive information and analysis about the issues we care about and hope to impact through public policy and civic engagement.” • PolicyOptions.org

6. How this Goal Accomplished • “Think Tanks” are created at institutions of higher education within the Bonner Network which focus on • Local, state, national and global policy information • Investigation of model programs that address potential issues. • Facilitating greater access to information. • Each institution conducts research on local issues & searches for model programs to address those issues. • Research is compiled in the PolicyOptions Wiki in the form of issue briefs. • Local issues are connected to the national Bonner network. • Allows for the dissemination of public policy research and information across the nation’s 80+ Bonner schools.

7. Why Does PolicyOptions Matter? • Policy issues are often very complex and full of a vast array of components. • A public or non-profit organization may not have the necessary resources such as time or personnel to conduct research. • PolicyOptions can provide these community organizations with the opportunity to get this information. • Accomplished by: • Filtering out important information. • Organizing information in a clear, concise, and coherent manor. • Developing a complete understanding the nature of the issue.

8. What is an Issue Brief? • Model Program: • http://policyoptions.pbworks.com/w/page/26035707/Policy%20Option%20-%20Brownfield%20%20Reclamation%20in%20Charlottetown%2C%20Canada • Local/State/National Information: • Information regarding the issue that is being researched. • This information includes: • The Scope of the Problem • Past Policy • Current Policy • Key Organizations/Individuals • Link to Example (?)

9. PolicyOptions Links • PolicyOptions.org - http://www.policyoptions.org/ • PolicyOptions Wiki - http://policyoptions.pbworks.com/w/page/17512763/FrontPage

10. The Next Step • Identifying Research Opportunities • Where information acquired provides the greatest potential utility for the organization & community. • Creating Pilot Sites • Developing Bonners at the service sites to take on formalized public policy and community based research roles. • Building a cross-organizational research competencies. • Collaboration • Involving faculty, staff, students, community members, and other organizations. • Putting the Research to Work • Using research to create programs, address needs, inform decision making, and drive positive outcomes/impact within the community • Using research to predicate student projects for the next academic year.