Facilitating Community Health Improvement Capacity Through Nongovernmental Public Health Partners

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Facilitating the Community Health Improvement Process training in increasing the capacity of nongovernmental public health partners to serve as facilitators and supporters of community health improvement coalitions. Ten members of WellCare Advocacy and Community-Based Program teams (CommUnity Advocates) serving communities across the country were identified to participate in the pilot training group. They completed pre- and posttraining surveys to evaluate knowledge of community health improvement process models and facilitation techniques, as well as qualitative interviews to assess use of training material 6 months after the training. Results of the project revealed successful use of content from the training, which enhanced the impact of nongovernmental public health partners as facilitators of community health improvement planning and implementation.