Applying communitybased participatory research to local policy change

Applying community-based participatory research to local policy change: Lessons learned from a social justice, regional foundation R. David Rebanal MPH Northwest Health Foundation American Public Health Conference November 10, 2010 Denver, CO

Presenter Disclosures R. David Rebanal The following personal financial relationships with commercial interests relevant to this presentation existed during the past 12 months: No relationships to disclose

Today we will discuss • Application of CBPR to advance policy • Process and Policy Outcomes using Case Studies • Implications for public health practitioners & funders

To advance and promote the health of the people of Oregon and Southwest Washington Focus Areas: v. Healthcare reform v. Workforce v. Public Health

Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is defined as a collaborative approach to research that equitably involves all partners in the research process and recognizes the unique strengths that each brings. (Israel et al, 1998) CBPR begins with a research topic of importance to the community with the aim of combining knowledge and action for social change to improve community health and eliminate health disparities.

Goals of NWHF CBPR work v Capacity to develop partnerships v Capacity for policy advocacy v Policy interventions v Data quality among populations v Research results inform policy decision process

Applying for a CBPR Grant v Community-based organization lead applicant v Three types of awards Ø Partnership-building Ø Implementation Ø Policy Dissemination

CBPR Investments v $3. 1 M (2003, 2005 -2010) v 28 Projects v 8 community workshops v 3 Regional Conferences v 1 National Conference

Case Study 1: Making People of Color Count in Policymaking v. Commissioned by Coalitions of Color to use CBPR in partnership with Portland State University v. Two-year process: 26 indicators v. Intention to Inform Elected Officials v. Recommend methods for data collection and inclusion

Case Study 1: Making People of Color Count in Policymaking

Case Study 2: Tenant’s Voice Needs Assessment “My doctor said I was getting sick all the time from mold in my apartment. I showed the note to the manager, but she didn’t care” - Tenant Participant

Case Study 2: Tenant’s Voice Needs Assessment

Case Study 3: Assessing the Health Benefits of Reducing Car and Truck Traffic

Outcomes Summary Process Outcomes (Capacity/Dissemination) Policy Outcomes Communities of Color Coalition “Intellectual capital” “Wisdom” “Voice” 20+ presentations, press (Several) E. g. , Job descriptions to include equity; meetings every 3 weeks; no criminal background checks Tenant’s Voice Social Capital Research Several presentation, press Funding (Several) E. g. , Housing Maintenance Codes Climate Change/ VMT Participatory HIA capacity; Senate Bill 1059 (2009) Cross-sector partnerships; 15 presentations Funding

Lessons Learned v CBPR effective tool for improving advocacy capacity, research leading to policy v CBPR can improve social capital (civic participation, social cohesion) v Expectation of and capacity for dissemination important v Key principles of CBPR have penetrated several grant programs

Lessons Learned v. Partnership-building phase critical v. Assuring funding source supports participatory research v CBOs as lead PI effective but not without challenges v Outcomes should include process measures

Acknowledgements Elisa Aguilera, Community Alliance of Tenants Ann Curry-Stevens, Ph. D, Portland State University John Dougherty, Ph. D, Multnomah County Health Department Nancy Findholt, Ph. D, RN, Oregon Health & Science University Julia Meier, Coalition of Communities of Color Mel Rader, MS, Upstream Public Health R. David Rebanal, MPH, CHES Drebanal@nwhf. org Northwest Health Foundation www. nwhf. org