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Ask an Advisor Answers

Question:
Are any of your excellent materials/resources translated into Spnish? Perhaps I have missed this link on your web-site? I really have used, and have always acknowledged your site...in our community leadership development program for persons 50 and over... Thanks
Answer:

Thanks for your question. All of the Toolkits (available under ?Do the Work?) are available in Spanish. Additionally, roughly one fourth of the CTB Sections (available from the Table of Contents) have been translated and published into Spanish. Sections Published in Spanish Part A. Models for Promoting community Health and Development: Gateways to the Tools Chapter 1. Our Model for Community Change and Improvement Section 3. Our Model of Practice: Building Capacity for Community and Systems Change Section 5. Our Evaluation Model: Evaluating Comprehensive Community Initiatives Section 7. Working Together for Healthier Communities: A Framework for Collaboration Among Community Partnerships, Support Organizations, and Funders Section 8. Some Lessons Learned on Community Organization and Change Section 10. Using Internet-Based Tools to Promote Community Health and Development Part B. Community Assessment, Agenda Setting, and Choice of Broad Strategies Chapter 3. Assessing Community needs and Resources Section 1. Developing a Plan for Identifying Local Needs and Resources Section 2. Understanding and Describing the Community Section 4. Collecting Information About the Problem Section 5. Analyzing Community Problems Section 6. Conducting Focus Groups Section 7. Conducting Needs Assessment Surveys Section 8. Identifying Community Assets and Resources Section 9. Developing Baseline Measures of Behavior Section 10. Conducting Concerns Surveys Section 11. Determining Service Utilization Section 12. Conducting Interviews Section 14. SWOT Analysis: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats Chapter 4. Getting Issues on the Public Agenda Section 1. Developing a Plan for Getting Community Health and Development Issues on the Local Agenda Section 5. Making Community Presentations Chapter 5. Choosing Strategies to Promote Community Health and Development Section 5. Coalition Building I: Starting a Coalition Section 6. Coalition Building II: Maintaining a Coalition Part C. Promoting Interest and Participation in Initiatives Chapter 7. Encouraging Involvement in Community Work Section 1. Developing a Plan for Increasing Participation in Community Action Section 7. Involving People Most Affected by the Problem Part D. Developing a Strategic Plan, Organizational Structure, and Training System Chapter 8. Developing a Strategic Plan Section 1. An Overview of Strategic Planning or "VMOSA" (Vision, Mission, Objectives, Strategies, and Action Plans) Section 2. Proclaiming Your Dream: Developing Vision and Mission Statements Section 3. Creating Objectives Section 4. Developing Successful Strategies: Planning to Win Section 5. Developing an Action Plan Section 6. Obtaining Feedback from Constituents: What Changes are Important and Feasible? Section 7. Identifying Action Steps in Bringing About Community and Systems Change Part E. Leadership, Management, and Group Facilitation Chapter 13. Orienting Ideas in Leadership Section 1. Developing a Plan for Building Leadership Chapter 14. Core Functions in Leadership Section 1. Learning How to Be a Community Leader Part F. Analyzing Community Problems and Designing and Adapting Community Interventions Chapter 17. Analyzing Community Problems and Solutions Section 4. Analyzing Root Causes of Problems: The "But Why?" Technique Chapter 18. Deciding Where to Start Section 1. Designing Community Interventions Section 2. Participatory Approaches to Planning Community Interventions Section 3. Identifying Targets and Agents of Change: Who Can Benefit and Who Can Help Chapter 19. Choosing and Adapting Community Interventions Section 2. Understanding Risk and Protective Factors: Their Use in Selecting Potential Targets and Promising Strategies for Interventions Part G. Implementing Promising Community Interventions Chapter 20. Providing Information and Enhancing Skills Section 6. Training for Conflict Resolution Chapter 22. Youth Mentoring Programs Section 1. Building Youth Mentoring Programs Part J. Evaluating Community Programs and Initiatives Chapter 36. Introduction to Evaluation Section 3. Understanding Community Leadership, Evaluators, and Funders: What Are Their Interests? Chapter 38. Some Methods for Evaluating Comprehensive Community Initiatives Section 1. Measuring Success: Evaluating Comprehensive Community Initiatives Section 2. Gathering Information: Monitoring Your Progress Section 9. Gathering and Using Community-Level Indicators Part L. Generating, Managing, and Sustaining Financial Resources Chapter 42. Getting Grants and Financial Resources Section 1. Developing a Plan for Financial Sustainability Section 2. Creating a Business Plan Section 3. Developing a Committee to Help with Financial Sustainability Section 4. Applying for a Grant: The General Approach Section 5. Writing a Grant Part M. Social Marketing and Institutionalization of the Initiative Chapter 46. Planning for Long-Term Institutionalization Section 1. Strategies for the Long-Term Institutionalization of an Initiative: An Overview

Question Date: Fri, 05/23/2008
Question:
To whom it may concern, I am an intern with Sustainable Tompkins of Ithaca, New York. My organization got a grant to create a program to support community activism with mini grants. We are just at the beginning of this process and your website was really helpful for formatting and general guidance. I was wondering if you knew about some successful mini grant programs so that we could see how they got off the ground, what common problems were, how long their program has been running, what types of changes they have seen in their community as a result, etc. Would you be able to help me find answers to these questions? Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you soon! ~Kendra Chatburn
Answer:

Hello, thanks for your question and congratulations on the grant to support activism with mini-grants. I'd have a look at the Kellogg Foundation's website that highlights the "Yes We Can!" mini-grant project in Battle Creek Michigan. This program has met with some success and I imagine that their learning thus far may be of use to you. Also, if you can get a hold of an article entitled: "Mobilizing Residents for Action: The Role of Small Wins and Strategic Supports" by Pennie G. Foster-Fishman, Katie Fitzgerald, Cherise Brandell, Branda Nowell, David Chavis, Laurie A. Van Egeren (American Journal of Community Psychology, Volume 38)- you can read about their evaluation of the first phase of the Yes We Can! project and their insights.

Question Date: Fri, 05/23/2008
Question:
The organization I work for belives health is more than medicine. It is not just physical health of an individual. An individuals health is multidimensional and a direct relationship to the environment one lives. For that reason, I am looking for articles, links, books, or any other resources that share my opion on community health. I am looking for reliable resources to help me make my case that health of a community or an individual extends beyond the work that goes on inside the walls of a hospital. Can you help?
Answer:

Thanks for contacting "Ask an Advisor". Its good that you are thinking about health more broadly defined. That is certainly how we think of it here, and the evidence is now clear that social conditions play a powerful role in health. I'd look to the field of public health for international literature on "Social Determinants of Health"(SDOH). One of the best books on this topic is Michael Marmot and Richard Wilkinson's book "Social Determinants of Health". The World Health Organization's Commission on SDOH also has a great website that is an invaluable resource. Their publication "The Solid Facts" has a wealth of information that can help you make your case. Thanks again for contacting Ask and Advisor, and let us know if you have other questions. ~Scot

Question Date: Fri, 05/23/2008
Question:
We are launching a community engagement program in Houston in order to decrease the drop out rate in Hispanic High Schools, can you give me some ideas of where to start, or direct me to literature that I can study.
Answer:

Thanks for contacting Ask and Advisor. There are lots of available resources for engaging youth in change efforts. See for example: the Forum for Youth Investment. One of their current initiatives is partnering with the America's Promise Alliance to increase public awareness of the dropout and college-readiness crisis and to develop prevention efforts. Also see The Innovation Center for Community and Youth Development For general community engagement info, the CDC has a good resource guide available here: CDC Principles of Community Enagement. Lastly, you may find Toolbox chapters 1 & 17 helpful as you develop your ideas. Best of luck!

Question Date: Thu, 05/29/2008
Question:
Hi, Just wondering if you can give me ideas on what to do at neighborhood watch meetings,...we have one about every 2 months, and it is new to this community. Thanks
Answer:

Thanks for contacting Ask and Advisor. Your primary goal initially is to build and establish good relationships and hear about each others assets and concerns. Establishing and maintaining a NW group is really about building community. For practical tools regarding what to do in meetings, see USAonWatch.org. You can also find some helpful tips for leading groups in chapter 16 of the Toolbox. Best of luck with your efforts. ~Scot

Question Date: Thu, 05/29/2008
Question:
Good afternoon, I am writing from The Lancaster (PA) Chamber of Commerce & Industry. We are in the very early stages of planning for a county-wide Community Asset Mapping project. While our geographic scope is large (a large county with half a million people), our focus will be limited to formal non-profit and not-for-profit institutions that are community assets. Chapter 3 of your online Tool Box has been very helpful. I am looking for some real-world examples or case studies of a community that has actually done a similar sort of community asset mapping. Are you aware of any such examples? I am happy to speak directly with people who have been involved in such a project, or to read documentation--whichever you might be able to provide. Thank you for your help. If this information is easier to communicate through a conversation, I'm happy to call you if you have the time.
Answer:

Thanks for contacting Ask an Advisor. It is great that you are considering an Asset-based approach to this planning process. First off, the Kretzman & McKnight's Asset-based Community Development Institute is an incredible resource. As far as examples, here are two worth reviewing: In Edmonton, Alberta in 1994 an arm of the Capital Health Authority known as the Community Development Office (CDO) was part of a new movement toward community-centered health and in search of a community eager to actively participate in shared responsibility and local action for their own health and well-being. Following the principles of Kretzmann and McKnight?s (1993) ABCD, the team of community members and practitioners worked toward learning new ways to make Glenwood a more active and energized community. They set out to map the community assets by asking the question: ?what supports for health do you have, and would you be willing to share with the citizens of your community?? Dedrick, A., Mitchell, G., Miyagawa, M., & Roberts, S. (1997). From model to reality ? Community capacity building and asset mapping. Spruce Grove, Alberta: MAGJS Publishing. Another major ABCD project, known as ?Beyond Welfare? started in a small county of 74,000 people in central Iowa. It was, and is currently, designed to eliminate poverty in Story County by 2020 and to accomplish this goal, ?Beyond Welfare is building relationships across divisions of class, ethnicity, and race, which exist between marginalized groups with insufficient income and groups with sufficient income to achieve their purposes in life? Aigner, S.M., Raymond, V.J., & Smidt, L.J. (2002). ?Whole community organizing? for the 21st century. Journal of the Community Development Society, 33, 86-106. Best of luck! ~Scot

Question Date: Thu, 05/29/2008
Question:
Dear Sir, I am writing from Malawi, central Africa. Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world. I work for a health communication NGO that uses the power of mass media to effect change. Realizing that interpersonal communication, social mobilization and community dialogue are an important element in fostering behaviour change, I am in the process of developing a community dialogue promote that seeks to engage rural Malawians into discussing problems affecting their communities, what the barriers are to change and what they can do to bring about change. I came across your website and was very interested to learn more about CTB. I would like to find out if you have any reading materials that can help me come up with an effective program that can change the lives of many poor Malawians and that can later be replicated into other African countries. I will appreciate so much any assistance you can provide me in this regard. The concept I am developing will later be used to raise funding that must see the project growing. I can't wait to hear from you. Thanks, Simon
Answer:

Welcome Simon! For reading materials, please click on our Table of Contents. It contains useful information about all phases of community development. Any of it can be printed out for your use. We assume you will have to adapt some of the possibilities to fit cultures in Malawi, and urge you to feel free to do that. You might also click on our Workstation tab. It will take you to information provided by organizations that have used some of the tools. We hope CTB resources are helpful in your very important effort, and invite you to make use of any that are relevant. Best wishes.

Question Date: Tue, 06/17/2008
Question:
I am currently taking a business course through the fast trac in Kansas City at the Kaufman Center. I goggled and found your amazing web site. I would appreciate any help or leads you could offer to establish a community centered organization focused on personal and spiritual growth with creative expression through the arts. My mission is to nurture the highest potential of each member towards creating a lifestyle consistent with their core values and unique talents and gifts. The center would offer a blend of educational oportunities and creative art offerings. Community service is highlighted. Thank you for your assistance, Devi
Answer:

Thanks for your question, Devi. I cannot offer specific leads, but I encourage you to review the core competencies 1, 2, 3, and 5 in our list of core competencies. Those may be helpful in your own planning process. Best wishes for a successful project.

Question Date: Tue, 07/01/2008
Question:
To whom it may concern: I am working to promote a literacy project in the community. We are currently working on a train-the-trainer model. We plan to hold a training session for community members, and are hoping that these members will then go to their communities and train others. A problem that has come across is...how will we be evaluating our intervnetion? Will we be measuring how many sessions they carry out in the next year? Or what? Thank you so much, and I look forward to hearing from you. --Sandy Liang
Answer:

Hi Sandy, You ask a challenging question, because it is not clear to me whether you are focused upon evaluating how much subsequent training the trainers do, or how much progress their trainees make in learning new reading skills. Once you decide that, the evaluation process may get easier to define. Take a look at our core competency 12: Evaluating the Initiative. Also consider, under our Table of Contents, Part D, chapters 11 and 12; and Part J, chapters 36 to 39. You might also click on the Work Station sign-in tab to identify other organizations that might be active in a similar effort. Thanks for asking, and best of luck with your project!

Question Date: Tue, 07/01/2008
Question:
Hello- I'm just revisiting the community tool box site, as I'm working on a very targeted initiative. I'm working on developing a young adult advisory team for the department of health in Vermont (with members 18-25 years old). Right now, I'm trying to get a sense as to what other folks are doing to reach this population--just so I have a broad context to focus my efforts (whether it's state or community driven). Do you have any tools that can help me in my quest to reach this targeted population in an engaging & meaningful way? Or maybe tools that can help me organize and structure the young adult advisory team's interactions even? I'm going to continue perusing the site...as it's very helpful. Any guidance you may have is very much appreciated! Best, Connie
Answer:

Hi Connie, This is a very important area, and we are glad you are working on it. We suggest that you click on our "Work Station sign-in" for links to a variety of projects, some of which may be relevant to your needs. In addition, please look at our Table of Contents, Part C, chapters 6 and 7, especially chapter 7. We hope this is helpful and apologize for the delay in responding. Best wishes for success in your effort.

Question Date: Tue, 07/01/2008
Question:
The San Diego Immunization Coalition (SDIC) is an established (since 1992) local immunization coalition serving the County of San Diego. San Diego County is one of the largest counties in the nation, with a population of 3.8 million and over 4,300 square miles. While founded as an infant immunization coalition, SDIC (formerly called I-3) converted to a lifespan focus in 1997. As a mature coalition, and faced with a variety of "new" issues including the recently introduced spectrum of adolescent vaccines, the increased focus on adult immunization issues, and the "green vaccine" and anti-vaccine movement, SDIB has a strong need to do some intensive strategic planning and possible restructuring. Due to California's across-the-board budget cuts, which include major budget reductions to immunization programs, we are in need of assistance in finding resources to support this strategic planning effort, including support for an expert facilitator. Please contact me at the above email address or kwgustafson@san.rr.com, or call me at 619-405-0028 (mobile) or 619-692-5760 (work) to talk about any ideas or resources that IZTA or AED might have for helping us in our effort to keep our coalition successful. Thank you for your attention, Kathe Gustafson
Answer:

Hey, thanks for the question. Sounds like you have a lot of work ahead of you. Look through the resources in part D of the toolbox - specifically Chapter8. The CTB is not really able to assist with finding resources. Good luck!. ~Scot

Question Date: Wed, 07/02/2008
Question:
how does one come up with implementation plan,minitoring plan and evaluation plan using the logframe analysis?
Answer:

Hey thanks for your question. Part B in the toolbox gives you some ideas for assessing needs and developing strategies. You can also find some general information on the Logical Framework Analysis approach here. here

Question Date: Thu, 07/03/2008
Question:
how i can conduct a need assessement questionaire in my hospital that concentrate mainly on the medical requirnment for nurses mainly?
Answer:

Hello, and thanks for your question. Have a look at Chapter3 in the community toolbox. This should help you as you plan a needs assessment specific to your hospital context. Good luck!

Question Date: Thu, 07/03/2008
Question:
Hello, I am interested in doing an evaluation/survey of a website. Specifically, I would like to explore if the information we provide on our website impacts feelings of efficacy visitors have in terms of taking action. Do you have any resources that can provide any relevant information? I have some albeit limited access to peer-reviewed journals so both websites and journal articles would be helpful. Thanks, Gina Hijjawi
Answer:

Hey, thanks for the question. Its always a challenge to try to accurately measure the impact of an online experience. Check out the toolbox for some general steps to evaluation. Then, when you are ready to think about your tool or survey, you might read more on the "General Self-Efficacy Scale" to see if you can adapt these items for your purpose. One article to check out can be found HERE. Also, some new research on "online communities of practice' is beginning to emerge. You might find this article useful - Johnson, C.M. (2001). A survey of current research on online communities of practice. Internet and Higher Education, 4, 45-60. Good Luck! ~Scot

Question Date: Thu, 07/03/2008
Question:
I have a question, where can i find information about setting up working groups.. do you have any suggestions or website where i could find this information. thanks jenna
Answer:

Its difficult to know exactly what you mean by working groups. It sounds like you may have an existing organization and you want to create smaller teams to help move some ideas to action. If so, you may find the information in useful in thinking about how to organize these. Of course, its always best to start with the people who are most energized and passionate about the work to be done. That way, the group is more able to make progress without needing much external influence. Good luck!

Question Date: Thu, 07/03/2008
Question:
Do you have information that details how to have a successful community meeting or what makes a community meeting successful? I'm looking for information that taken more from the community perspective. Thanks!
Answer:

Hi Debra, We don't specifically address your question, but I think you might find some helpful points in our Table of Contents, section H, chapter 27, #8. It focuses on multicultural collaborations and has several important suggestions about processes that can lead to successful community meetings. Thanks for asking, and best of success in your effort.

Question Date: Thu, 07/03/2008
Question:
You have a lot of wonderful information provided in the "do the work" section. Is any of the information provided on the website available in hard copy/reference copy?
Answer:

Unfortunately, no. Feel free to print hardcopies of whatever you need from that section.

Question Date: Fri, 07/04/2008
Question:
I work with community developmet in Russia mainly with rural areas, please where are the most succesful centers in USA working with local communities involvement in rural areas? I need experience based on common action, cooperation of local people Thanks
Answer:

I do not have a direct answer to your question, but I suggest that you refer to our Connect With Others section for links to community development organizations that may be able to help, or to provide good leads to organizations similar to yours. I wish I knew a more direct answer (I am in a metropolitan area), and I especially wish you success in your important effort. Thanks for contacting CTB, and feel free to use or adapt any of the resources on this site.

Question Date: Fri, 07/04/2008
Question:
I am working with a community seeking to develop (create an organization) which can deliver health and other services to elderly members, with the goal of enabling them to "age in place" as long as possible. Most successful examples of these organizations have been in high-density urban settings, rather than small town/suburban settings such as ours. Question: Any suggestions for identifying other groups like ours (small town/suburban) with similar goals, so we can exchange ideas? [I am familiar with the BeaconHillVillage model of aging in place, as well as PACE projects, and the websites of Partners for Livable Communities, National Aging in Place Council, etc.-- but know no information sources seeking to organize community for "aging in place" in small town or suburban areas.] Thanks in advance for any help you might provide.
Answer:

I didn?t know the answer to your question, so I went looking on Google. I searched for ?small town home health services? and found a few apparently relevant links at the top of the resulting list. I wish I could offer more, but I hope this is helpful. Thanks for contacting CTB. Given the relatively higher proportion of aged individuals in many small towns, yours is an important effort.

Question Date: Fri, 07/04/2008
Question: What are the different steps of developing an organizational structure?
Answer:

Hi Billy, Thanks for contacting Community Tool Box. Let me refer you to the Table of Contents link on our opening page. Look under Part D, chapters 8 - 12, and you will find that chapter 9 directly addresses your question, and the other chapters focus on important activities for implementing the structure you choose. Good luck on your endeavor, and thanks again for your question.

Question Date: Sun, 07/06/2008
Question:
I work for Sacramento Tree Foundation. (CA) Who has experience connecting public health with promoting the benefits of urban forestry to sustain a community building campaign? Do you have any suggested funding partners? thanks,
Answer:

Hi Janice, I am going to have to refer you to the Foundation Center online, or other similar databases. CTB does not contain information about funding sources. Thanks anyway for your question, and best of luck in funding your project.

Question Date: Sun, 07/06/2008
Question:
Are there any programs that have increased physical activity for groups of our population?
Answer:

Hi Joan, We suggest that you start at the Center for Disease Control website and then check out youth development organization websites such as the Boys & Girls Clubs, Scouts, YM- and YWCA, etc. Our Links To Others page may connect you with other knowledgeable organizations. Thanks for contacting CTB.

Question Date: Sun, 07/06/2008
Question:
What is the most efficient and practical way of collaborating with music industry leaders to use lyrical and music content to help fund a non-profit social service and empowerment organization, which is in development and expansion, to aid mentally, emotionally and economically disadvantaged (MEED) people and their families,when seemingly, they are difficult to access?
Answer:

Hi Angela, You might take a look at our Table of Contents, Part C, chapters 6 and 7. However, you are attempting to involve a specialized target group for funding support, which means that you have greater challenges to gain entry and build relationships within the industry. We suggest that you consider conducting some "information interviews" with music industry organizations: (1) seeking leads to individuals who have some personal interest and involvement with MEED people - perhaps within their own families. If possible, recruit a "champion" within the industry who can advocate for your cause. (2) Also, ask the industry people you interview to help you identify the most effective ways to present your cause to the industry. We hope this is helpful and wish you well.

Question Date: Sun, 07/06/2008
Question:
Hi CTB, Great web site and initiative! I am preparing for a community initiative in Indiana to tap into currently untapped talent in the community to encourage the underepresented, underutilized, unemployed and underemployed of our community to become nurses to help meet the community nursing shortage. I am just beginning to tap into networks such as this. Any further suggestions for me? Specifically- do you have contacts in local healthcare and universities (KU) who are intimately connected with this initiative and who might be a great resource? Sonia
Answer:

Hi Sonia, You have focused upon an area with important challenges and opportunities for those who complete nurse training. You might want to look at our Table of Contents, section C, chapters 6 and 7; also Section B, chapter 5. In addition, we suggest that you contact the schools of nursing in Indiana, the statewide hospital association, and the major hospital systems in Indianapolis. They all have a major stake in filling the need for nurses and may be quite willing to advise and help. Thanks for contacting CTB, and we wish you success in this important task.

Question Date: Sun, 07/06/2008
Question:
I am working with a group in the Endorphin Power Company (EPC) dealing with substance abuse. I need to know if there are other programs using the same concept?
Answer:

Hi Roberta, Let me refer you to the Endorphin Power Company website, which I found via Google. It contains links to several other programs using the same concept. We do not have similar links.

Question Date: Tue, 07/08/2008
Question:
I am the Community Service Coordinator at Baptist Regional Medical Center and are looking at working on childhood obesity and am looking for advise on how to start a program in the school system to get kids active. Lee Richardson Community Service Coordinator Baptist Regional Medical Center Corbin KY 40701 606-523-8533
Answer:

Hi Lee, Thanks for your question. Take a look at several sections of our Table of Contents, particularly chapters 4 and 5 in Section B and both chapters in Section C. I assume you are already talking with the school district and with local youth development organizations. You might also want to involve the churches to build a broad community coalition. You will need to consider strategies for motivating parents as well as kids. Also, take a look at our Links With Others section for possible resources. Berea College might be another resource for consultation and possibly for mentors to help encourage kids to become more active. I know that Col. Sanders started his very successful business in Corbin. Perhaps KFC could assist with funding and consultation during your development process Childhood obesity is a very important public health issue. Best wishes for success in your effort.

Question Date: Sat, 07/12/2008
Question:
Greetings; I am looking for substance abuse recovery support network models. I am trying to find out who is using what models. So often youth are referred to 12 steps with minimal guidance. If you know of other models that would be very helpful. Thanks David J.
Answer:

Hi David, Thanks for contacting CTB. We assume you are interested in locating several different models, so your community can offer a variety of support options to recovering youth. No single model works for all individuals. You might want to look for family-focused/family systems approaches in addition to individual approaches. Please take a look at our Initiatives section to find some useful examples of recovery support models, some of which target youth. Also, search our Workstation box for "substance abuse recovery youth". That will generate both some examples, and access to some links that will help you search further. We recommend that you also take a look at SAMSA websites and pursue some of their links, if you have not done so. Thanks again for contacting CTB. We wish you success in developing a range of support alternatives for youth.

Question Date: Mon, 07/21/2008
Question: Community and government resourse organizations for phyical education
Answer:

Hi Carol, Sorry, but we don't have much information about these resources. Please check our Workstation listings and our Connect With Others listings. If you do an internet search for "physical education government resources" you will get several leads.. We hope this helps. Thanks for contacting CTB and best wishes for your successful search

Question Date: Tue, 07/22/2008
Question:
I was directed to your site by a google search looking for the "Ugly Orange Case," which is used as an exercise to build collaboration. The pdf is titled "Commmunity Involvement and Collaboration - 6.5 Understanding Collaboration" it references handout 6.5.A Ugly Orange Case that I am unable to locate. No date is provided on the document. Can you help? Best regards, Dr. Barbara Durant
Answer:

Hi Barbara, Beats me! I did a search within CTB and drew a blank, so I also went to Google and found the reference you probably refer to. It connected with another website that is not part of CTB. I will ask within our group, and if anyone knows where to find it, I will post a second reply. In the mean time, it appears we have both struck out. Thanks anyway for contacting CTB. Feel free to use any of our other materials in your planning process.

Question Date: Wed, 07/23/2008
Question:
What is the best way to come up with the state associated fees for obtaining 501c3 status?
Answer:

We know of no outside funding sources that support applications for 501c)(3) status. Possibly your university student fund. In most circumstances, the involved leaders either come up with the needed dollars out of pocket or do good old-fashioned grass-roots money raising activities to generate the needed dollars while building local awareness and support for addressing the need. In several ways, the hardest part of getting started is also the best way to raise awareness. Best of luck in your effort.

Question Date: Mon, 08/04/2008
Question:
is it true that rural communities are more receptive to community development than urban areas?
Answer:

Thanks for your question. It really depends upon the needs and motivations of the specific communities involved. Rural communities may have some advantages because they are smaller and the leaders have more contact with each other. Also, if they are geographically isolated they may be struggling, literally, for survival. Although that can be true in urban neighborhoods, the political leadership can be more distant and less involved. You might want to take a look at our Workstation resources and Links With Others to get a sense of what some rural communities are doing.

Question Date: Mon, 08/04/2008
Question:
I am struggling with a new Executive Director and the internal controls. She believes she should have carte blanc over the financials and we as a charitable nonprofit need to make sure we are doing our fiduciary duties. If we have a policy in place shouldn't she follow this until we can discuss at an Executive Committee. I didn't see in the guide examples of these type of internal controls but I could have missed this!
Answer:

Adequate internal controls are a key to exercising fiduciary responsibility, but CTB does not focus on internal fiscal administrative processes. Your best resources for resolving this disagreement probably are your Board's finance committee or executive committee, or the accounting firm that conducts your annual audit/financial review.

Question Date: Tue, 08/05/2008
Question:
Hello, I am looking for a tool (data collection instrument) that I can use to collect evaluation information that has been submitted by grantees. What I want to be able to do at the end is show who these people are, what they said they would do, did they do it, and how they did it. Thanks!
Answer:

You might want to take a look at our Customer Services link and review the information about our Online Documentation and Support System. It is designed to address the questions you raise. Thank you for asking!

Question Date: Tue, 08/05/2008
Question:
I work at our local hospital in Ohio. We are looking for a community health assessment. How could we get a copy of a standardized community health assessment form?
Answer:

Thanks for your efforts to improve health status in your community. You might find information about assessment forms by looking at some of the projects listed in our Workstation and Links With Others tabs. However, I went to an internet search engine and entered "community health assessment." That generated several valuable and comprehensive leads. Good hunting!

Question Date: Tue, 08/05/2008
Question:
Can you direct me to resources involving undergraduates doing international service learning projects and curriculum that will support such projects? I am planning for my students to do a collaborative service learning project with the deaf community in Costa Rica which may involve setting up computer camps for deaf youth.
Answer:

There are three locations within CTB where you might find relevant information: Workstations, Links With Others and the Workstation Search box (Search the CTB). If you enter ?deaf children? in the Workstation Search box, it will generate one possible lead. If you enter ?collaborative learning? it will generate a number of possible leads. Although they may not involve hearing impaired children as subjects, you may find useful suggestions to aid in planning and implementing your project. Thanks for asking CTB, and for planning to address an important and underserved group of people.

Question Date: Sun, 08/10/2008
Question:
Do you know of any agency that has used your tools to collaborate with healthcare providers to reduce domestic violence in their community?
Answer:

We have reviewed our archives and do not find any feedback from users about whether or how they have chosen to use our tools to reduce domestic violence in their communities. We will consider whether to add a feedback page to CTB during future revisions. Sorry we can?t help you with this very important issue.

Question Date: Mon, 08/11/2008
Question:
Hello! My state (Texas) is in the process of developing a community resource guide for pediatricians related to obesity. The hope is that the guide will provide a roadmap for community physicians to connect to local community agencies to build relationships around nutrition, exercise, and well-being. Does such a "road map" already exist for building obesity relationships, or for other disease processes? Thanks, Carl Tapia, MD CATCH Texas Co-Facilitator
Answer:

Good morning! If you are seeking a directory of relevant local organizations that a pediatrician might contact for referral purposes, we probably to not have what you are seeking. Consider asking your local United Way agencies for access to their local resource directories, often identified as HelpLine, Information And Referral, or similar name. Where these are available, you can then focus your own effort on educating physicians about the existence of United Way resource directories and how to use them. Also, you can concentrate your development efforts on filling in gaps in areas without United Way agencies. United Way might also help you develop a specifically focused resource guide of obesity-related resources. We suggest that it be made available online so pediatricians in more rural areas can access it easily Within CTB, take a look at our Links page. Food and Fitness for Children and Families might be relevant, and there are other possibilities. Also, click on our Workstation tab. Several of those resources might be useful. You will need to register (the usual simple process) to access the specific sites. An internet search on ?obesity resources? also yielded several possibilities. Thanks for contacting CTB, and when it is completed, please consider adding your road map to our Workstation page. We have had several requests for obesity program models.

Question Date: Wed, 08/13/2008
Question:
Good day I am looking for information on social life skills such as "showing respect to others", "giving complements", "dress code", etc. Where can I find that on the site? Regards Claudette
Answer:

Thanks for asking, but CTB does not have information on these fundamental social skills. Our focus is primarily upon general information about processes to involve people in community development/improvement. You might look at our Workstation Sign-in: Communities In Schools listings to see whether they can give you leads. Possibly "Enhancing Cultural Competence" under our Do the Work section may have some general ideas that are relevant. Your best bet, however, is to do an internet search on each of those specific skills. I Googled "giving compliments" and found several good leads.

Question Date: Sun, 08/31/2008
Question: COMPARE AND CONTRAST TWO APPROACHES TO COMMUNITY HEALTH
Answer:

This sounds like the title for a term paper, and is beyond the scope of CTB. If you have a specific question, please feel free to resubmit.

Question Date: Mon, 09/01/2008
Question:
Does anyone know of a community that used Community Toolbox to effect change in services (health,social, and in-home-support) for Senior Citizens in the local community?
Answer:

Please be aware that CTB does not function as a listserv, so your question only goes to the current Advisor. That said, please click on our Workstation Sign-in tab. Several of those organizations are working on community health improvement issues and may be relevant to your question. If you do not find what you are looking for there, we suggest an an internet search.

Question Date: Tue, 09/02/2008
Question:
I'm 29 year old US Citizen, and a stay at home aunt living in Columbia, Maryland. I was born in the Caribbean and have a strong longing in my heart to return and help in my community. I have no clue how to get started. Can you help?
Answer:

Thanks for your question. We strongly encourage you to consider getting started by talking with an academic counselor to clarify what sort of help you want to offer and to identify classes that will teach you skills needed to accomplish your goal. Your own good planning and preparation will pay dividends in the long run. Take a look at the core competencies listed with this answer. Adapt the ones that seem relevant to focus on your own development first.

Question Date: Wed, 09/03/2008
Question:
Hi there, I want to organize a community art event. I know what the event is but I need to get other agencies involved. However, I don't have all the details worked out such as deadline for submissions, gallery space etc. In fact, this information requires that approach other agencies! Can I approach or email agencies without having the entire project mapped out? What are some steps that I should follow?
Answer:

If you want the event to have a shared sponsorship with other organizations, it is probably best to develop your general outline and then talk about it with other potential partners. Those interested may value the opportunity to fully develop the event plan, and will have a greater sense of ownership. For suggestions about how you might proceed, take a look at our information on developing partnerships and coalitions; also developing strategic and action plans. Thanks for contacting CTB, and we wish you success in this project.

Question Date: Thu, 09/11/2008
Question:
My name is Molly and I work with Susan G Komen for the Cure in community health. We have the opportunity to provide training to some partners in Jordan regarding asset mapping, locating assets, finding programs and services, evaluating those services and partnering with organizations. Do you know of any vital analysis models or tools used to accomplish this? In our asset mapping, we discuss GIS mapping, databases, and some other technology to look at statistics and online directories but realize this may not be an option in Jordan. Do you have any tools you have used in working with other countries?
Answer:

Thanks for your question, Molly. The current advisor (me) does not know of tools that have been used in other countries, but does suggest: (1) Enter Asset Mapping in our Search CTB field. You will get a number of hits, most of which look practical and may well generalize to Jordan. (2) Ask your contacts in Jordan to access CTB and search CTB as above. Ask them which tools appear practical to them and best fit their training needs. (3) When their list comes back to you, ask them what technologies they already have available. Don't assume. (4) Build your training accordingly. We wish you well and hope this reply is helpful.

Question Date: Fri, 09/12/2008
Question:
What is the best way to go about finding someone to speak at an organization in regard to community mobilization?
Answer:

Please do a search for "speakers" on our Search CTB field. One of the items that will appear on the resulting list gives a lot of practical information about speakers bureaus, and some of that information also can help provide ideas about how to recruit a speaker to promote your issue. We also think that the local community "grapevine" is a good resource for finding speakers. If you have not already done so, consider asking other interested persons and other organizations focused on your issue to name some people who have been effective speakers about your issue. If potential speakers charge a fee, offer to share the expense with other interested organizations, and give them credit as sponsors. Thanks for contacting CTB, and best wishes for a successful effort

Question Date: Fri, 09/19/2008
Question:
Hi there, I am a nursing student who has 13 weeks of practicum at a community drop in centre. With this time I have been asked to develop and deliver a diabetes education prevention program to some of the street involved, low income, new immigrants and refugee clients there. I am finding this very challenging because i feel like i know what they want me to do- design a couple of workshops about increasing fibre intake and decreasing sugar or something, so that I get an A in the course. It would be easy enough to produce a bunch of pamphlets, but there is not sustainability or capacity building... and that it would be nearly impossible to design let alone deliver, and evaluate any kind of meaningful, sustainable program in the next 13 weeks. i guess i am just venting a bit, but i don`t want to play into this kind of `pat yourself on the back for making educational materials that no one will read, but at least we can grade you on them` game. However, it feels like a very daunting task to begin... currently i am searching Toronto for experienced diabetes nurses who have worked with this type of population i am wondering how to engage the population in program design, etc., like participatory action projects... do you have any suggestions? thanks so much
Answer:

Courage, Sarah! This is a great question that raises several levels of response: First, take a look at our Table of Contents, particularly Parts B and C. Other Parts may become relevant as you proceed. Second, decide whether you want to design and develop something that meets the needs of your supervisors or of the street-involved diabetics. (I take it from your preliminary rant that you prefer the latter!) Third, consider hiring some street-involved persons with Diabetes as consultants to help you design an education program that would be more meaningful to them. You should pay them in some way: money, healthy food, or whatever. Payment acknowledges their expertise and encourages more participation. The drop in center staff and the nurses you mentioned can help identify and recruit street-involved persons with Diabetes. Fourth, Gather those persons into a focus group, explain your purpose, and ask them to talk about what information gleaned from their own experience with Diabetes onset, recognition, and management might have helped them and might be really helpful to others. Fifth, listen to them very actively, and do a lot of reflecting back what they say, so they know you are listening, and so you can get confirmation that you have heard accurately. Take notes. Sixth, ask them to suggest the best ways (modalities) to deliver the information to other street-involved people. (A good brainstorming exercise.) Seventh, Gather them again at a later date and ask them to review and comment on whatever materials and strategies you developed from their suggestions. (See also the Table of Contents section on developing strategic and action plans. By that point, you will have developed and delivered a diabetes education program (with and to your street-level consultants) that may or may not be different and unexpected, but possibly more relevant to the target audience. Eighth, Get your supervisor's permission before you proceed. You might offer to help write a grant application later, to evaluate the program.

Question Date: Sat, 09/20/2008
Question:
Can you guide me about tools that can help me to do rapid upraisal of economic affairs of a community through indirect representatives. For example through their elected reps.
Answer:

CTB does not list specific tools for rapid financial assessment; only more general information about community needs assessment processes. We invite you to review those chapters by clicking on our Table of Contents. You might also look at the projects described under our Workstation Sign In field to see if any of them have attempted such an assessment. Beyond CTB, you might try The Urban Institute website.

Question Date: Mon, 09/22/2008
Question:
Hello I need to conduct a survey of the needs of older people in a county. I have census statists, but need to survey about needs. I am concerned to ensure that a broad cross section of older people are included and don't have a database of addresses where older people live. Since some people will be homebound, some will be at work, and some will be out and about, can you help me by suggesting how I should conduct the survey to ensure that I get the full range of older people. Also I know that if it is not a random sample I can't say that the results apply to the wider popultion, but how do I overcome this so that organsation has enough information on which to base strategic decisions in the best interests of those in need within the community Whew! all this has been causing sleepless nights. Can you help
Answer:

Hi Anne, I am sorry that we can't offer specific help with your challenge. Take a look at our Table of Contents and Workstation, but we don't think you will find a solution there. All we can think of is to ask your county Assessor if county property tax records can generate such a list, and whether the identities of taxpayers can be released for research purposes. Best wishes for finding a practical solution. If the above isn't possible or legal, we suggest you discuss the sample difficulties with the organization that needs the survey information and determine whether it is feasible/useful to proceed.

Question Date: Fri, 09/26/2008
Question:
I am a student taking my "Family Supports Certificate" through Distance Education and am on my last class and love this website and wanted to ask some advice. I am creating a program for the Military Family resource centre where I volunteer which will focus on "Empowering Parents" to "take back parenting", learn to not be afraid to say no to your child, and to set boundaries for your child and yourself in relation to the military lifestyle. I am hitting a wall when it comes to creating my goals and objectives. I always have a hard time simplyfying this stage. Any help or guidance with this
Answer:

The key decisions about goals envolve from identifying what outcomes your project might accomplish that can be measured in some objective way. What are you trying to accomplish, and how will you know what is actually accomplished? Especially if the measurement time frame is short or there is little or no real opportunity to do follow-up, keep the goals practical and immediate. The general goal is to strengthen certain parenting skills, and probably the most useful outcomes are that participants can demonstrate those skills in some way by the end of the class. Take a look at the core competencies listed with this response and then at our table of contents. Part of your question indicates that you want to teach parent strategies useful within a military culture, which is why we included cultural competence on the list.

Question Date: Fri, 09/26/2008
Question:
Dear Advisor, I am a High School teacher from Singapore. I am interested in carrying out a research project to evaluate the effectiveness of overseas community involvement projects in developing youth to be global and active citizens. As I am new to the field of research methodoly, I am unsure about how I can carry out my research as well as collect data to evaluate the effectiveness of this programme. http://www.hci.sg/affectiveEdu/programmes/OE%20Web/website.htm Here is the link to some of the programmes run by my school under outdoor education. I hope you can advise me on this. Thanks. Have a nice day! Regards Pei Chin
Answer:

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Question Date: Wed, 10/01/2008
Question:
I work at Beckham Bates Elementary as STC CHANGE COORDINATOR for NUPA, And my job physical activity. I am on the wellness journey and hoping to change the way our community thinks about eating and other habits. I think that most of health issues and drug abuses are falling back to the lack of knowledge and what we are doing to ourselves in our community. I have just found one thing that has been working and I need support to make it happen. I want to make a difference and pedometers have seem to be a big hit. Everyone wants one. As many people as I give one, they have been moving. We need to get 10,000 steps a day and one hundred less calories. And we have enrolled in the America on the Move at Beckham Bates Elementay. It has been great and I want to get the community involved. Thanks.
Answer:

It sounds like you are off to a great start. Congratulations! As you consider getting the community involved, you might begin with a series of questions: 1. Are there groups of people (teens, college students, community leaders, all adults, etc.) that you would like to become involved? 2. Are there organizations that you would like to become involved? 3. What type of involvement are you seeking (volunteer time, access to facilities, financial support, etc.)? 4. Are there networks that you have access to that might reach the people or organizations? 5. Do you have any incentives for their involvement? The list could go on, but the idea is apparent: develop a plan to seek community involvement. Good luck!

Question Date: Fri, 10/10/2008

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