Interorganizational Network Changes Among Health Organizations in the Brazos Valley, Texas

Abstract

Community health development is a process by which a community identifies factors influencing population health, assesses available resources to build the capacity to plan and take action, and implement interventions to address identified needs. At its core, community health development targets structural change and infrastructure development to facilitate more efficient and effective health service delivery systems and environmental changes to support improvements in community health. One indicator of structural change and common measure of community capacity is the relationships among the network of organizations that comprise that system. The Brazos Valley has employed a community health development approach to population health improvement in partnership with the Center for Community Health Development. Changes in interorganizational networks illustrate progress in the Brazos Valley. Contextual factors provide some insight into how the process has unfolded.

Measuring Community‐Engaged Research Contexts, Processes, and Outcomes: A Mapping Review

“…The majority of included outcome measures evaluate the systems and capacity changes produced by the engaged research, such as increased information and resource exchange among stakeholders, 44,74,75 joint activities or events, 75 ongoing or new funding for partnered work, 72 and improvements to services and programs 48 . Others focus especially on measuring improved community capacity for research, such as the knowledge and skills for future research engagement 51,53,73,76 as well as self‐efficacy and confidence in research participation 70,77‐80 …”

Development and Application of a Framework to Assess Community Nutritionists' Use of Environmental Strategies to Prevent Obesity

“…22 The tasks of providing information, making recommendations, developing and implementing action plans, and evaluating plans all involve instances of nutrition education where NE impart nutrition and health knowledge to their partners, including those in a position of power to make changes happen in organizations and communities. This study indicates that NE were most likely to make recommendations and provide information (task 1), consistent with the least intense task for interorganizational partnerships, 34 yet fundamental to community practitioners’ jobs and regularly performed at all levels of partnerships. 35 However, information-sharing is not likely to result in environmental changes unless NE take into account their partners’ priorities and perspectives on feasibility and collaborate deeply with those who have the necessary power and expertise to bring about the recommended changes.…”

Increasing Access to Care for Brazos Valley, Texas: A Rural Community of Solution

“…Local community perception is that one of the most important aspects of the commission is its ability to bring together partnerships to address specific issues, which is a reiteration of the Folsom Report. 6,14 As documented in ROCI reports, the value of health resource center services leveraged compared with the amount of funds expended have increased throughout the years, which have been seen locally as a success. In addition, the CCHD has measured the success of the COS through key partner interviews and changes in interorganizational network relationships, which are methods of evaluation commonly used in capacity-building initiatives.…”

“…In addition, the CCHD has measured the success of the COS through key partner interviews and changes in interorganizational network relationships, which are methods of evaluation commonly used in capacity-building initiatives. 14,15 However, the clearest representation of the communities' response to their local COS is seen when the commissions confront health concerns throughout the county. Each regional health status assessment conducted in the BV allows local residents to voice their anxieties about the health of their communities through community discussion groups.…”