Project Organizing

Helen Hill MA MFT

Communication ActivitiesIncrease AwarenessIncrease KnowledgeChange AttitudesReinforce AttitudesMaintain InterestProvide Cues for ActionDemonstrate Simple Skills

Guidelines for Preparing Written Materials

1. Needs and target population identification2. Plan the project3. Audience research4. Material development

Style Organization Content Format

5. Graphics and illustrations6. Pretesting7. Printing8. Distribution and training

Moral and Ethical Concerns1. Respect the goals and values of those in the target population2. Be aware of the degrees of autonomy related to health behavior

Facilitation Persuasion Manipulation Coercion

3. Follow the necessary steps to provide informed consent to those in the target population

Explanation of nature and purposes of procedures Explanation of discomfort or risks Explanation of expected benefits Disclosure of alternative procedures Offer to answer questions Indication that the person is free to discontinue participation

4. Be just and fair5. Protect the confidentiality and privacy of those in the target population6. Do not cause harm (nonmaleficence). Do not omit something you should include

(omission), and do not do something you should not (commission).

Designing an Intervention1. What is the goal of the program?2. What health change is expected?3. What behaviors must be learned or acquired to deal with the

problem and how must the environment be changed?4. What predisposing, reinforcing, and enabling factors must be

considered?5. What tasks must be completed?6. Upon what theories and/or models will the intervention be

based? What are the key constructs?7. Will the intervention be macro, micro, or both? 8. What intervention activities will be used?9. How will the program results be measured?

Community OrganizingCitizen Participation:

The bottom-up, grass-roots mobilization of citizens for the purpose of undertaking activities to improve the condition of something in the community

Community Development: A process designed to create conditions of economic and social

progress for the whole community with its active participation and the fullest possible reliance on the community’s initiative (United Nations, 1955, p6)

Community Organization:“The method of intervention whereby individuals, groups, and

organizations engage in planned action to influence social problems. It is concerned with the enrichment, development, and/or change of social institutions.” (Brager et al., 1987, p55)

Community OrganizingCommunity Participation:

“A process of involving people in the institutions or decisions that affect their lives” (Checkoway, 1989, p18)

Empowered Community: “One in which individuals and organizations apply their skills and

resources in collective efforts to meet their respective needs” (Israel et al., 1994)

Grass-roots Participation: “Bottom-up efforts of people taking collective actions on their own behalf,

and they involve the use of a sophisticated blend of confrontation and cooperation in order to achieve their ends” (Perlman, 1978, p65)

Macro Practice:The methods of professional change that deal with issues beyond the

individual, family, and small group level

Steps of a Community Organization1. Recognizing the problem2. Gaining entry into the community3. Organizing the people4. Identifying the specific problem5. Determining the priorities and setting goals6. Arriving at a solution and selecting intervention activities7. Implementing the plan8. Evaluating the outcomes of the plan of action9. Maintaining the outcomes in the community10. Looping back

Building Effective Coalitions1. Be sensitive to turf issues2. Make sure the coalition is genuine3. Clarify the exact purpose of the coalition4. Limit the number of agencies involved in the coalition5. Allow enough time for decisions to be made6. Communicate with other coalitions from other geographic areas

dealing with the same problem7. Make sure the visibility and recognition of the agencies involved in the

coalition are increased as a result of their participation8. Secure a financial commitment from agencies involved in the coalition9. Have infrequent but worthwhile meetings10. Make sure someone is accountable for the work of the coalition11. Be sure to distribute the workload of the coalition among participating

agencies

Identifying Opportunities

Health Communication