The Story of CAPC and CPNP Debra E. Reimer, MSW, RSW The Story of CAPC and CPNP “Valuing Our Work” Executive Director, Kids Action Program

What is CAPC and CPNP? The Community Action Program for Children (CAPC) was designed to improve the health and well-being of children (from birth to age six) and their families, particularly those families who require additional support because of difficult life circumstances. The Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program provides programs and services for pregnant women who are most likely to have unhealthy babies because of poor health and nutrition. Debra E. Reimer, MSW, RSW

Capacity Building from a Program Perspective Community based program Capacity building is a core element of project goals Programming is designed to increase capacity at 3 levels Individual Community Systems Debra E. Reimer, MSW, RSW

Capacity Building through Participatory Food Costing Debra E. Reimer, MSW, RSW

What was learned Successful capacity building requires: Supportive environments – these exist when Participation and involvement – these exist when CAPC and CPNP have learned that these two core elements build on each other to achieve capacity building Measuring these three things is difficult because it is difficult to measure change Debra E. Reimer, MSW, RSW

A “critical intermediate variable between community health intervention programs and the achievement of health outcomes is believed to lie in the ability of these programs to enhance community capacity and create conditions that facilitate empowerment”. (Minkler et al, 2002, p.783) Debra E. Reimer, MSW, RSW

CAPC and CPNP Evaluation Story Framework was created in Atlantic Canada using a participatory process Evaluation tools were created to measure change on three levels The product produced was a comprehensive Resource Kit on the Evaluation and Reporting System for CAPC and CPNP in Atlantic Canada Debra E. Reimer, MSW, RSW

Debra E. Reimer, MSW, RSW

Benefits of Community University Partnerships Collaboration Community people (organizations) have a good tool Academics published about the process Legitimacy and credibility Engaging in the participatory process itself increased capacity Debra E. Reimer, MSW, RSW

Being Mindful of the Community University Partnership It takes time to build partnerships Be respectful Acknowledge that community-based organizations bring expertise Acknowledge that there is another way to do the research Have the capacity to work within different power structures Debra E. Reimer, MSW, RSW

Debra E. Reimer, MSW, RSW

Thank you for your time!! Debra E. Reimer, MSW, RSW