The Community Health Advancement Program (CHAP) Heather Ostmann, BA, MS3 Hana Smith, BS, MS2 Lili Peacock-Villada, BA, MS2 Suzanne Gillette, PhD, MPH, RN Sharon Dobie, MD, MCP Rachel Lazzar, MSW University of Washington and community partners

Goals for this Session: What is CHAP? History and place in the School of Medicine Projects Student leadership: managing projects Partnership Questions and Discussion

Origin of CHAP Community Health Advancement Program Started in 1980 by students and UW Department of Family Medicine Response to student desire to provide community service & “get out of the classroom” Student-initiated “service-learning” First project: “Saturday Clinic” at Holly Park CHC

CHAP Mission Statement The Community Health Advancement Program (CHAP) exists to nurture health care students’ interests in working with medically underserved populations.

What is CHAP? Collaboration with community partners Address unmet need Students design, plan, implement, staff and evaluate community service projects and educational events Assistance, guidance and support from community partners and staff and faculty in the Department of Family Medicine.

Current CHAP Projects Dermatology Clinic: Dermatology Care for homeless adults Footcare: Mary’s Place and RainierPark Community Health Center Perinatal Care Project: support for pregnant women Sports Physicals: for middle school athletes

Current CHAP Projects Health Promotion for At Risk Youth: Mentoring Immigrant Youth Health Education: Orion Center Tutoring: three Seattle alternative schools

Community Partnerships Listening to the partner Working with partner organizational protocols Supporting students to nurture the partnership Checking in Communicate!

Starting A Project Define community need Evaluate means to meet the need Determine student excitement/passion Identify student leaders Establish strong relationship with a community partner

Recruiting Volunteers Informational sessions Identify key student leaders Spread of years and experience Start early Emphasize responsibility for commitment Workshops Relevant to project Identify next year’s leaders

Developing and Revising Protocols Be aware of community change Current community assessments Considering expansion rather than changing sites Keep community partnerships Listen to students Identify needs and passions

Training Individualize to the project Taught by student leaders, community health partners, professionals from relevant fields Content: Population being served and project history Responsibilities Training and practice with needed skills sets Logistics

Time Commitment Project-specific for volunteers: from once a year to once a week Student Coordinators Scheduling volunteers and attendings Working with the community partners Developing protocols and teaching materials Training new coordinators

Support and Supplies Identify Needs: What to ask for Supplies, funds: have specifics identified. Develop proposal: short and sweet Interest in your cause Identify those likely to support your project. Support Institutions and groups Individual contributions Long-term and one-time contributions

Leadership Transition Identify future leadership Who has time/motivation/dedication. Training Program: Project-specific Training seminars On the job Materials: Transition of leadership often a chaotic time Good materials (instruction manuals) can smooth transition.

Evaluation Providers Formal: Periodic meetings Evaluation of mission, interest, needs, areas for improvement. Involve all leadership and partners. Informal: Debriefings As needed; include community partners Address problems, concerns, needs as they arise. Clients and Community Partners How are we doing? Program dependent Communication with community partners.

Mary’s Place Mary’s Place Day Shelter for Homeless Women Church of Mary Magdalene About Homelessness in Seattle About Mary’s Place

Why Partner with Students? Exchange of knowledge Expansion of Services Good recruiting opportunity

What makes a good partnership? Mutual respect Good Communication Enthusiasm for the task

Challenges Scheduling Coaching Students

What do YOU need to take this home and get started?