Building Community Capacity to Advocate for Policy Change: An Outcome Evaluation of the Neighborhoods Working in Partnership Project in Detroit |
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| Authors: | Rebecca R. Cheezum Chris M. Coombe Barbara A. Israel Robert J. McGranaghan Akosua N. Burris Sonya Grant-White |
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| Affiliation: | 1. School of Health Sciences , Oakland University , Rochester , Michigan cheezum@oakland.edu;3. School of Public Health , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , Michigan;4. Department of Family Medicine , University of Colorado , Aurora , Colorado;5. Henry Ford Academy School for Creative Studies , Detroit , Michigan |
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| Abstract: | This article presents results of the outcome evaluation of Neighborhoods Working in Partnership (NWP), a community-based participatory research project of the Detroit Community–Academic Urban Research Center, designed to enhance policy advocacy skills through training and support, thereby increasing community capacity, engagement, and empowerment of Detroit residents to change policies. Focus groups and conversational interviews were conducted with NWP participants. Results indicate that the workshop empowered participants and enhanced dimensions of community capacity. Participants reported engaging in policy advocacy activities and various policy successes. Participants identified challenges and facilitating factors to their policy campaigns. Recommendations for similar trainings are provided. |
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| Keywords: | Policy practice community capacity building community organizing program evaluation community/civic engagement community-based participatory research |
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