Community Readiness Model

Developed by Tri-Ethnic Center for Prevention Research (Colorado State University)Originally developed for community alcohol and drug abuse prevention effortsSince then, has also been used for issues as varied as:

Intimate partner violenceChild abuse

Transportation issuesHIV/AIDS

Head injurySuicide

Animal control issues

Assumptions About “Readiness”

• Not intended as a judgment – informs decisions on strategies to meet the community where it is

• Issue-specific and multi-dimensional• May vary across dimensions and in

different segments of a community

Dimensions & Stages of Readiness

DimensionsA.Community EffortsB.Knowledge of EffortsC.LeadershipD.Community ClimateE.Knowledge of IssueF.Resources

What Readiness Assessment Can (&

Can’t) DoWhat it Can Do:

• Help identify resources – and obstacles

• Identify types of efforts best suited to stage of readiness

What it Can’t Do:

• Make people do what they don’t believe in

• Tell you exactly what you should do

Steps in the Process

1. Develop list of questions2. Identify “key informants” to interview3. Schedule and conduct interviews4. Decide who will conduct scoring5. Use scoring tool to score each

dimension6. Share and discuss results7. Use results to inform capacity building

and strategic planning

1. Develop list of questions

•Start with questions created by Tri-Ethnic Center•Adapt to fit community’s needs

– Make changes carefully – questions are closely tied to scoring tool

•Pilot test questions

1. Determine issue to focus on for youth-related interviews (10 minutes)

2. Go through interview questions:a) Are there any (non-bold) you would get rid

of? (10 minutes)b) Are there any for which you would revise

the wording? (10 minutes)c) Are there any you don’t see, that you

would like to add? Which dimension do they best fit under? (10 minutes)

Step 1: Group Exercise

2. Identify Key Respondents

Minimum of 4-6 individuals (per focus area)Key Respondents:

• Knowledgeable about a community but not necessarily leaders or decision makers

• Involved in community / know what’s going onAim for diverse representation, such as:

• Schools• Local/tribal governments• Youth, elders• Law enforcement• Faith-based community• Community at large• Industry representative• Health/medical field, including mental health

Select 4-6 key respondents each for:Focus 1: Youth alcohol useFocus 2: Adult heavy and binge drinking

Step 2: Group Exercise

3. Conduct Interviews

• Contact in advance to make sure those identified are willing to discuss the issue

• Each interview will take 30-60 minutes• Can ask for clarification when needed,

and use prompts provided• But avoid discussion with

interviewee• Record or write responses as they are

given• Don’t add your own interpretation or

second-guess what you think interviewee “meant”

4. Decide who will conduct scoring

Ideally two people:

1.Independently go through scoring process2.Both scorers meet to discuss, working toward consensus

Step 4: Group Exercise

Decision: Who will your scorers be?

5. Use scoring tool for each dimension

Working independently:– Both scorers read through each interview in its

entirety before beginning to score it– Read through applicable score sheets for each

dimension– Go through each dimension, highlighting interviewee

statements that correlate to scoring sheet statements

– Select scoring sheet statement that scorer believes best reflects what was stated during interview (doesn’t have to be a whole number)

– Complete “Individual Scores” section of scoring sheet

5. Use scoring tool for each dimension

Working together:– Discuss scores, with goal of achieving consensus– Consider items missed, or differing interpretations

of interviewee statements’ fit on scoring sheet– Once consensus reached, complete “Combined

Scores” section of scoring sheet– Complete remainder of scoring sheet: “Calculated

Scores” and “Overall Stage of Readiness”– Write down any impressions or qualifying

statements that may relate to your community’s score.

Individually (20-30 minutes):1. Read through sample interview2. Read through scoring sheets for each

dimension3. Score the interview

As a group (however long it takes!):1. Share scores; identify differences2. Discuss to reach a consensus

Step 5: Group Exercise

• Are the scores across dimensions all about the same?

• If not, which dimensions need to be raised so that readiness is at about the same level across the board?

• Consider the broad types of appropriate strategies for increasing readiness levels

• Use this information, along with needs assessment findings, to inform next phases in SPF (Capacity Building, Strategic Planning)

6. Share and discuss results

Level 1 – No AwarenessGoal: Raise awareness of the issuePossible Strategies:

– One-on-one visits with others– Visit existing small groups– Phone calls to friends and potential

supporters

Appropriate Strategies

Level 2 – Denial / ResistanceGoal: Recognition that this issue exists in this community.Possible Strategies:

– Continue strategies from previous stage– Distribute fliers and brochures– Put information in church bulletins, club

newsletters, etc.– Low intensity but visible media (“media” as

defined in your community)

Appropriate Strategies

Level 3 – Vague AwarenessGoal: Community knows it can make positive changesPossible Strategies:

– Continue strategies from previous stage– Hold special events: potlucks, dances, etc.– Conduct informal surveys to see how people

feel about the issue (ex: perceptions survey)– Publish editorials/articles and creative media

consistent with community visibility

Appropriate Strategies

Level 4 - PreplanningGoal: Develop concrete strategiesPossible Strategies:

– Continue strategies from previous stage– Continue using media: newspaper articles,

posters– Conduct assessment of what’s already

going on in the community (i.e., resources assessment)

– Hold focus groups and listen to ideas

Appropriate Strategies

Level 5 - PreparationGoal: Gather pertinent informationPossible Strategies:

– Continue strategies from previous stage– Gather and present local data (tell the

story)– Conduct informal surveys to see how

people feel about the issue– Increase media exposure (radio,

newspaper, etc.)

Appropriate Strategies

Level 6 – InitiationGoal: Provide community-specific informationPossible Strategies:

– Continue strategies from previous stage– Begin training community providers /

people– Conduct public forums to gather ideas– Sponsor larger community events

Appropriate Strategies

Level 7 - StabilizationGoal: Stabilize efforts or establish programsPossible Strategies:

– Continue strategies from previous stage– Maintain business/other support for efforts– Introduce new programs and identify support– Increase/further develop media exposure– Utilize evaluation to improve efforts

Appropriate Strategies

Level 8 – Confirmation and ExpansionGoal: Expand and enhance servicesPossible Strategies:

– Continue strategies from previous stage– Expand community awareness through

speaker bureaus, events, media, etc.– Track and report trends from data analysis– Continue to survey and solicit public opinion– Use evaluation to improve efforts and

provide feedback to community and partners

Appropriate Strategies

Level 9 – High Level of Community Ownership

Goal: Maintain momentum, grow and use what’s learnedPossible Strategies:

– Continue strategies from previous stage– Diversify funding resources, identify new

resources– Maintain and expand local business support– Continue to track data trends for grant writing– Begin work on related issues

Appropriate Strategies