The Process - Assuring Technical Assistance

What do we mean by this process?

 

Assuring Technical Assistance is a process of connecting groups to expertise and resources that address needs and provide support over phases of a community improvement effort.  Participation in this process can enhance competencies (i.e., in planning or evaluation) and specialized knowledge (e.g., child development), and increase a group's potential to effect change.  The process of Assuring Technical Assistance secures and provides support to communities over time as they plan, implement, evaluate, and sustain efforts for making a difference. When groups engage in this process, they are strengthening their own capacities to learn, practice, and subsequently implement effective prevention strategies.

The framework below shows five core phases (see A-E below) and twelve processes (see boxes) to advance community change and improvement. As illustrated, Assuring Technical Assistance is a key process to help groups create conditions for changing behaviors and improving population-level outcomes.

Core competencies related to this process include: (a) Assessing community needs and resources, (b) Developing a framework or model of change, (c) Developing strategic and action plans, (d) Developing an intervention, (e) Enhancing cultural competence, (f) Advocating for change, (g) Influencing policy development, (h) Evaluating the initiative, (i) Implementing a social marketing effort, (j) Improving organizational management and development, and (k) Sustaining the work or initiative. See the CTB Toolkits.