Community Readiness Assessment

Assessing Community Readiness Readiness is the degree to which a community is prepared to take action on an issue. It is an essential piece in creating community change

Tri-Ethnic Center for Prevention Research Sage Hall, Colorado State University Barbara A. Plested Ruth W. Edwards Pamela Jumper-Thurman The Tri-Ethnic Community Readiness Model

o Assessing community readiness for change o Increasing community capacity o Creating a climate that makes change possible Community Readiness

A.Community Efforts B.Community Knowledge of the Efforts C.Leadership D.Community Climate E.Community Knowledge about the Issue F.Resources Related to the Issue Dimensions of Readiness

9. High Level of Community Ownership 8. Confirmation/Expansion 7. Stabilization 6. Initiation 5. Preparation 4. Preplanning 3. Vague Awareness 2. Denial 1. No Awareness Stages of Readiness

Define “Community”Conduct Key Respondent InterviewsScore to determine readiness levelDevelop readiness strategiesCOMMUNITY CHANGE!

o Identify Key Respondents o Conduct Interviews o Score Interviews o Interpret, Report and Share Results Assessing Readiness

Who is interviewed? Minimum of 6 individuals, 26 questions, minute interviews

o Involving representatives across sectors o Collecting Information in Appropriate Ways o Looking in your own backyard Cultural Competence and Assessment

o Things to consider: o Who will conduct them o Where/how will they be conducted o How will answers be captured Conduct Key Respondent Interviews

o Identify two scorers o Each works independently to score dimensions o Then meet to reach consensus on scores o Calculate overall stage of readiness o Highlight impressions, unique outcomes and qualifying statements Scoring

o Using this model to meet the community where they are at o Finding a place to start o Whose readiness do we need to raise? Matching Strategies to Readiness

o 1. No Awareness o Goal: Begin to raise awareness of the issue o 2. Denial/Resistance o Goal: Raise awareness that the problem or issue exists in this community. o 3. Vague Awareness o Goal: Raise awareness that the community can do something Goals and Strategies for Each Stage

o 4. Preplanning o Goal: Raise awareness with concrete ideas o 5. Preparation o Goal: Gather existing information with which to plan more specific strategies o 6. Initiation o Goal: Provide community specific information Goals and Strategies for Each Stage

o 7. Stabilization o Goal: Stabilize efforts and programs o 8. Confirmation o Goal: Enhance and expand services o 9. High Level of Community Ownership o Goal: Maintain momentum and continue growth Goals and Strategies for Each Stage

 SPF Resources  Assessment  Assessment Deliverables Additional Resources

Discussion What does readiness mean to you? How could this tool benefit your project? What resources would you need to carry out a community readiness assessment? What will your next step be?

This project is funded by Iowa Department of Public Health, through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.