Community Readiness Model

1. Community Readiness Model Developed by Tri-Ethnic Center for Prevention Research (Colorado State University) Originally developed for community alcohol and drug abuse prevention efforts Since then, has also been used for issues as varied as: Intimate partner violence Child abuse Transportation issues HIV/AIDS Head injury Suicide Animal control issues

2. Assumptions About “Readiness” • Not intended as a judgment – informs decisions on strategies to meet the community where it is • Issue-specific and multi-dimensional • May vary across dimensions and in different segments of a community

3. Dimensions & Stages of Readiness Dimensions Community Efforts Knowledge of Efforts Leadership Community Climate Knowledge of Issue Resources

4. What Readiness Assessment Can (& Can’t) Do What it Can Do: • Help identify resources – and obstacles • Identify types of efforts best suited to stage of readiness What it Can’t Do: • Make people do what they don’t believe in • Tell you exactly what you should do

5. Steps in the Process • Develop list of questions • Identify “key informants” to interview • Schedule and conduct interviews • Decide who will conduct scoring • Use scoring tool to score each dimension • Share and discuss results • Use results to inform capacity building and strategic planning

6. 1. Develop list of questions • Start with questions created by Tri-Ethnic Center • Adapt to fit community’s needs • Make changes carefully – questions are closely tied to scoring tool • Pilot test questions

7. Step 1: Group Exercise • Determine issue to focus on for youth-related interviews (10 minutes) • Go through interview questions: • Are there any (non-bold) you would get rid of? (10 minutes) • Are there any for which you would revise the wording? (10 minutes) • Are there any you don’t see, that you would like to add? Which dimension do they best fit under? (10 minutes)

8. 2. Identify Key Respondents • Minimum of 4-6 individuals (per focus area) • Key Respondents: • Knowledgeable about a community but not necessarily leaders or decision makers • Involved in community / know what’s going on • Aim for diverse representation, such as: • Schools • Local/tribal governments • Youth, elders • Law enforcement • Faith-based community • Community at large • Industry representative • Health/medical field, including mental health

9. Step 2: Group Exercise Select 4-6 key respondents each for: Focus 1: Youth alcohol use Focus 2: Adult heavy and binge drinking

10. 3. Conduct Interviews • Contact in advance to make sure those identified are willing to discuss the issue • Each interview will take 30-60 minutes • Can ask for clarification when needed, and use prompts provided • But avoid discussion with interviewee • Record or write responses as they are given • Don’t add your own interpretation or second-guess what you think interviewee “meant”

11. 4. Decide who will conduct scoring Ideally two people: • Independently go through scoring process • Both scorers meet to discuss, working toward consensus

12. Step 4: Group Exercise Decision: Who will your scorers be?

13. 5. Use scoring tool for each dimension Working independently: • Both scorers read through each interview in its entirety before beginning to score it • Read through applicable score sheets for each dimension • Go through each dimension, highlighting interviewee statements that correlate to scoring sheet statements • Select scoring sheet statement that scorer believes best reflects what was stated during interview (doesn’t have to be a whole number) • Complete “Individual Scores” section of scoring sheet

14. 5. Use scoring tool for each dimension Working together: • Discuss scores, with goal of achieving consensus • Consider items missed, or differing interpretations of interviewee statements’ fit on scoring sheet • Once consensus reached, complete “Combined Scores” section of scoring sheet • Complete remainder of scoring sheet: “Calculated Scores” and “Overall Stage of Readiness” • Write down any impressions or qualifying statements that may relate to your community’s score.

15. Step 5: Group Exercise Individually (20-30 minutes): • Read through sample interview • Read through scoring sheets for each dimension • Score the interview As a group (however long it takes!): • Share scores; identify differences • Discuss to reach a consensus

16. 6. Share and discuss results • Are the scores across dimensions all about the same? • If not, which dimensions need to be raised so that readiness is at about the same level across the board? • Consider the broad types of appropriate strategies for increasing readiness levels • Use this information, along with needs assessment findings, to inform next phases in SPF (Capacity Building, Strategic Planning)

17. Appropriate Strategies Level 1 – No Awareness Goal: Raise awareness of the issue Possible Strategies: • One-on-one visits with others • Visit existing small groups • Phone calls to friends and potential supporters

18. Appropriate Strategies Level 2 – Denial / Resistance Goal: Recognition that this issue exists in this community. Possible Strategies: • Continue strategies from previous stage • Distribute fliers and brochures • Put information in church bulletins, club newsletters, etc. • Low intensity but visible media (“media” as defined in your community)

19. Appropriate Strategies Level 3 – Vague Awareness Goal: Community knows it can make positive changes Possible Strategies: • Continue strategies from previous stage • Hold special events: potlucks, dances, etc. • Conduct informal surveys to see how people feel about the issue (ex: perceptions survey) • Publish editorials/articles and creative media consistent with community visibility

20. Appropriate Strategies Level 4 - Preplanning Goal: Develop concrete strategies Possible Strategies: • Continue strategies from previous stage • Continue using media: newspaper articles, posters • Conduct assessment of what’s already going on in the community (i.e., resources assessment) • Hold focus groups and listen to ideas

21. Appropriate Strategies Level 5 - Preparation Goal: Gather pertinent information Possible Strategies: • Continue strategies from previous stage • Gather and present local data (tell the story) • Conduct informal surveys to see how people feel about the issue • Increase media exposure (radio, newspaper, etc.)

22. Appropriate Strategies Level 6 – Initiation Goal: Provide community-specific information Possible Strategies: • Continue strategies from previous stage • Begin training community providers / people • Conduct public forums to gather ideas • Sponsor larger community events

23. Appropriate Strategies Level 7 - Stabilization Goal: Stabilize efforts or establish programs Possible Strategies: • Continue strategies from previous stage • Maintain business/other support for efforts • Introduce new programs and identify support • Increase/further develop media exposure • Utilize evaluation to improve efforts

24. Appropriate Strategies Level 8 – Confirmation and Expansion Goal: Expand and enhance services Possible Strategies: • Continue strategies from previous stage • Expand community awareness through speaker bureaus, events, media, etc. • Track and report trends from data analysis • Continue to survey and solicit public opinion • Use evaluation to improve efforts and provide feedback to community and partners

25. Appropriate Strategies Level 9 – High Level of Community Ownership Goal: Maintain momentum, grow and use what’s learned Possible Strategies: • Continue strategies from previous stage • Diversify funding resources, identify new resources • Maintain and expand local business support • Continue to track data trends for grant writing • Begin work on related issues