Community readiness: Research to practice

Abstract

sCommunities are at many different stages of readiness for implementing programs, and this readiness is to be a major factor in determining whether a local program can be effectively implemented and supported by the community. The Community Readiness Model was developed to meet research needs, (e.g., matching treatment and control communities for an experimental intervention) as well as to provide a practical tool to help communities mobile for change. The model defines nine stages of community readiness ranging from "no awareness" of the problem to "professionalization" in the response to the problem within the community. Assessment of the stage of readiness is accomplished using key informant interviews, with questions on six different dimensions related to a community's readiness to mobilize to address a specific issue. Based on experiences in working directly with communities, strategies for successful effort implementation have been developed for each stage of readiness. Once a community has achieved a stage of readiness where local efforts can be initiated, community teams can be trained in use of the community readiness model. These teams can then develop specific, culturally appropriate efforts

Implementation of a Community‐based Family‐centered Program in Portugal: A Multiple Case Study Evaluation

“…The main purpose of this revision is to promote community and organizational readiness and a more shared process of co-construction and joint learning between community partners throughout implementation (Edwards, Jumper-Thurman, Plested, Oetting, & Swanson, 2000). This model may contribute to overcome many problems associated with the referrals and constraining factors at the level of the organizations and their relationships with community partners, aiming to increase their joint capacity (Goodman, 2000).…”

Implementation evaluation of the Blueprint multi‐component drug prevention programme: fidelity of school component delivery

“…Bringing it together Strategies to reduce risk and keep self and others safe; sources of help and information about drugs and drug use; identify learning from all aspects of the programme coverage about Blueprint throughout the study and to co-ordinate stakeholder communications. Finally, literature on 'community readiness' [50] was consulted in order to develop activities involving the wider community of drug prevention professionals and organisations which might be appropriate within a UK context. It is important to note that, despite a fairly substantial drug prevention evaluation literature, the design of a new evidence-based programme is an inexact science.…”

A Controlled Community‐Based Trial to Promote Smoke‐Free Policy in Rural Communities

“…31,39,40 The CRM asserts that communities progress through 9 readiness stages as they develop, implement, evaluate, and expand programs or policies. 41 The original CRM evaluated 6 dimensions of readiness to determine an overall stage of readiness. These dimensions included a community's: (1) knowledge about a problem or issue; (2) existing efforts to deal with the issue; (3) knowledge of these existing efforts; (4) leadership available to handle the issue; (5) available resources; and (6) climate surrounding the issue.…”

“…These dimensions included a community's: (1) knowledge about a problem or issue; (2) existing efforts to deal with the issue; (3) knowledge of these existing efforts; (4) leadership available to handle the issue; (5) available resources; and (6) climate surrounding the issue. 41 A community may exhibit a different level of readiness for each of the 6 dimensions. For instance, a community may have knowledge about a health issue and its damaging consequences but not yet acquired the resources to support policy change.…”