Betsy Graham Military Community and Family Policy Office of Family Readiness Policy Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Military Community & Family Policy)

Community Capacity Community Capacity involves people who feel a sense of shared responsibility and apply their collective strengths to achieve desired results. Having high capacity means that people are working together to better their community.

Why Build Community Capacity? Working with other individuals, organizations and communities is helpful when navigating the challenges of family life especially in the context of military service. Service members and their families can address challenges by seeking a variety of expertise, experiences, resources and relationships. Alberta Community Development Initiative http://culture.alberta.ca/community/programs-and-services/community-development/building-community-capacity/

Community Capacity Building Goal: informal networks and formal systems work together to achieve positive results for community members Change is initiated by people in the community When informal networks collaborate with formal systems the ability to create change grows

Military’s Formal Systems Unit leadership Family Readiness Groups Family Assistance Centers Military and Family Support Centers http://www.seechangemagazine.com/?p=97

Informal Networks Less organized networks of personal relationships that are voluntarily formed and maintained Group associations Work associates Neighbors http://www.seechangemagazine.com/?p=97

Cope better Have better health Live longer People who are connected with others and interact regularly in supportive relationships: Cope better Have better health Live longer “Things go better with belonging”

When we organize opportunities for people to come together: in physical places where they live because of shared interests, characteristics or concerns

Sign up for webinar email notifications at www.extension.org/62831 MFLN Intro Connecting military family service providers to research and to each other through innovative online programming https://blogs.extension.org/militaryfamilies/military-families/community-capacity-building/ Coral Sign up for webinar email notifications at www.extension.org/62831

Cooperative Extension Military Installations 106 Land Grant Universities

Cooperative Extension 3,143 counties

Intro to CCB Training

Community Capacity Building Training - Fundamentals Overview Community Action & Change Becoming a CCB Organization Results Focused Planning

Community Capacity Building Training - Advanced Community Assessment Strengthening Formal Systems through Collaboration Mobilizing Informal Networks Engaging Military Leaders Monitoring Results & Activities Sustaining Desired Results

Join the Conversation Online! CCB SMS Icons Join the Conversation Online! MFLN Community Capacity Building MFLN Community Capacity Building @MFLNCCB Military Families Learning Network MFLN Group https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8409844