Ask an Advisor Questions

Question	Core Competency	Date
what has proven to be an effective way to teach spanish speaking functionally illiterate men who have been exposed to asbestos and other toxicants to stop smoking and understand the risk of smoking?	Developing an Intervention	Wed, 06/02/2010
I am looking for an activity for 7 -9th graders to learn about basic concepts in public health. Could you suggest something? Thank you.	Increasing Participation and Membership Increasing Participation and Membership	Mon, 06/07/2010
I'm a nurse and I was thinking about teaching a community group for a class project. I have a school project that requires me to volunteer 30 hours. I must find a group, assess there needs and teach them something that would benefit them. They must be within the my community. I was thinking about teaching to a Boys & Girls club or local Boyscouts. As a nurse, what could I teach on?	Assessing Community Needs and Resources	Fri, 06/18/2010
Do you offer any online courses on the community toolbox? I am a social worker and director of a community service center. I it possible to get Continuing Education credit from you. Dr. Ray J. Flynn	Building Leadership Building Leadership	Mon, 06/21/2010
I am a retired public health nurse pursuing a PhD in public health; planning to survey an organizing community service organization and interview key informants. The purpose is to identify possible problems in team collaboration and possible remedial actions of the organization. I am seeking recommendations and prior knowledge of such an undertaking. Thank you.	Analyzing Problems and Goals Creating and Maintaining Coalitions and Partnerships	Tue, 06/29/2010
Dear Community Tool Box Advisors, I am writing a dissertation on environmental prevention strategies specifically related to Drug Free Community Grant coalitions. I was wondering if there are resources listed on your web site specific to environmental strategies.	Developing an Intervention Enhancing Cultural Competence Evaluating the Initiative Developing Strategic and Action Plans	Mon, 07/05/2010
I work with young people ages 17 - 24 years old who are high school drop outs . they work on earning a GED or High School Diploma while they perform construction new homes and rehabilitation of home in low income communities. 45% of our participants are young women and 95% of them are overweight. What can we do to stem the tide of diabetes and high blood pressure that will surely be the outcome for these young women by the time they reach 35. 95% are young mothers.	Implementing a Social Marketing Effort Developing a Framework or Model of Change Enhancing Cultural Competence Assessing Community Needs and Resources Developing Strategic and Action Plans	Tue, 07/13/2010
Is there a list of key descriptive words to use in writing a grant? Some of us are new to writing and having a good descriptive database of words may help us jog our brain of what we really want to say. Thank you,	Writing a Grant Application for Funding	Tue, 07/13/2010
I have been tasked to create a community health report & I was wondering if you had template(s) that would be simple, time efficient, & effective. My report is based on a study that was done to link the health effects experienced by the school faculty & students in the target community to the poor air quality.. Please help... Also I am ignorant to using the microsoft excel program... I was wondering if you had a simple way to convert spreadsheets to graphs? I know I'm a mess!	Evaluating the Initiative	Thu, 07/22/2010
What are the challenges of using the "Art of Hosting" methodologies?	Building Leadership Creating and Maintaining Coalitions and Partnerships Enhancing Cultural Competence Assessing Community Needs and Resources	Sat, 07/31/2010
I am a high school teacher and I am interested in creating a public service announcement about education and students in school. I have some ideas but I do not know whom to contact to get the ball rolling. I need to get in touch with someone who can help me realize my ideas. It needs to someone who can help me hook up with a production company and help me distribute it to TV stations. I have the ideas and the vision; I do not have the money, the equipment, or the broadcast facilities. I am hoping I can solicit people in the broadcast industry to donate their expertise and resources in the interest of improving public education. I believe a quality PSA shown to students on MTV and their parents on mainstream networks, and shown repeatedly will strengthen the image of public education. Any thoughts on how I might begin this endeavor?	Implementing a Social Marketing Effort Creating and Maintaining Coalitions and Partnerships Developing Strategic and Action Plans	Sun, 08/01/2010
To whom it may concern: Is the Community Tool Box Announces Global Prize Contest for Community Innovations open to for profits also or is it only not for profits. Thank you.	Developing an Intervention	Mon, 08/02/2010
How can I help girls in my community to develop leadership skills and support them in meeting school fees to reduce high drop out and poor performance of girls in my community. Thank you.	Increasing Participation and Membership Building Leadership Creating and Maintaining Coalitions and Partnerships Developing Strategic and Action Plans	Wed, 08/04/2010
I am the Grants Chair for Old Southwest, Inc, a volunteer run group that has been named 2009 National Neighborhood Organization in recognition of our many successful projects. We are interested in applying for a prize. Is there a link to see details of your recent award winners?	Writing a Grant Application for Funding	Thu, 08/05/2010
Hello, Thank you for the initiative and massive effort behind this excellent resource. I am presently part of a steering group setting up an Australia wide, not for profit corporation, linking many water advocacy groups around Australia. We want to convene 'real time' meetings - electronically. What would you advise is the best means of achieving this? I've bookmarked your site for on-going reference. Best regards,	Increasing Participation and Membership Creating and Maintaining Coalitions and Partnerships	Wed, 01/27/2010
What should I have together before I present my idea to area churches to solicit them as a Fiscal Agent? Do I have to a sponsor agree to be a Fiscal Agent before I can apply for grants?	Writing a Grant Application for Funding Creating and Maintaining Coalitions and Partnerships	Mon, 02/01/2010
In developing individualized recreational surveys for people with intellectual disability, what are the necessary factors that may ensure that they participate in integrated activity in the community which can raise community awareness positively about them?	Analyzing Problems and Goals	Mon, 02/01/2010
What is the best program to be in for a community health bachelors degree? Does KU have a master's program in community health? If not, what program does KU recommend?	Assessing Community Needs and Resources	Wed, 02/03/2010
Hello my name is Resa Berger I live in Benton County Iowa. I am interested in Breaking the Cycle of Domestic Violence. I don't feel there's enough awareness in our community and school systems. I desire to be part of bringing this awareness to our community. I started in an abusive relationship at 16 years old. By the age 17 had 2 children. Then had 2 more children in the abusive relationship. Myself and my children have suffered and and have been scared from the trauma we experienced. I didn't know anyone cared and it was kept in silence. Ten years later I was able too Break the Silence. And I feel there isn't enough support. I also feel there isn't enough openness or interest from others on being educated on domestic violence and the effects it has on children. Therefore I desire to share my experience to raise awareness and continue to work with my community to ensure there is proper support systems. I am looking for the steps I need to take in getting started. Any information that you can provide me with would be greatly appreciated! Thank you for your time, Resa Berger (319)214-4145 or responded back by e-mail blondresa30@gmail.com	Increasing Participation and Membership Advocating for Change Assessing Community Needs and Resources	Mon, 02/08/2010
Dear Srs. I need to develope, a cuestionary, abot drug use and abuse, violence, and gangs. Its gona be employed in a pilot proyect for 24,000 public students, in El Salvador. It has to be short, but whitin that produce a deep impact. Where can I find this kind of info. Sincerily yours	Analyzing Problems and Goals Assessing Community Needs and Resources	Fri, 02/12/2010
Hi I am a BSN nursing student doing a health fair project on stress management. We are required to go out into the community and get resourcess/information on ways to reduce stress and therefore decrease chances of illness. I was wondering if there any national resources that may be able to offer us help. Such as providing stress balls, etc? Thanks, Rebekka	Assessing Community Needs and Resources	Tue, 02/16/2010
The Tool Box available for purchase?	Analyzing Problems and Goals	Wed, 02/17/2010
I am seeking a little guidance regarding starting a youth program/ center in my community. I have found a lot of useful material on your site, but I am not clear 100% as to where I should start. This has been a dream of mine for many years, and now is the time in which my community needs it the most. As do I !	Building Leadership Creating and Maintaining Coalitions and Partnerships Assessing Community Needs and Resources	Tue, 02/23/2010
I am having a terrible time with this paper. I have decided to support the Levy in my community that is needed for the fire department and EMS system because it is terribly understaffed, outdated equipment, etc. I am having a problem trying to figure out how to implement and evaluate my goal which is to educate the community on this need. My diagnosis is prevention/safety	Analyzing Problems and Goals Assessing Community Needs and Resources	Sun, 02/28/2010
I am not good in coversation in English. Is there any book that you can recommend for me to read	Improving Organizational Management and Development	Sun, 02/28/2010
Hello I am a member of a small community group and we need to encourage members and get feedback about what the community wants...we have tried a questionnaire and got 22 out of a couple of thousand..any ideas?	Analyzing Problems and Goals Assessing Community Needs and Resources Analyzing Problems and Goals Assessing Community Needs and Resources	Sun, 02/28/2010
Do you know of any assessment tools that measure skills of coalition coordinators? I already have a coalition self-assessment tool that addresses the coalition's effectiveness but really need something to address the coordinator. If a tool is not available, a comprehensive list of skills that coalition coordinators should have would be helpful. Thanks!	Analyzing Problems and Goals Creating and Maintaining Coalitions and Partnerships	Wed, 03/03/2010
I am a grad student and I am interested in working with Native American youth at risk. I am looking for information and resources for working with kids creating a community art studio format. Any information or resources you could supply me with would be most helpful. Thank you, Natalie Norrell	Analyzing Problems and Goals	Thu, 03/04/2010
Do you have section covering how to gain entry into the community?	Analyzing Problems and Goals	Tue, 03/16/2010
I have a coalition that would like to use ACS services to call voters in their area to remind them to vote. They will not say anything about which way to vote, just to remind them to vote. If they pay for this service will it be considered advocacy or would it be a lobbying issue to use their grant funds for this. Thanks for your help.	Increasing Participation and Membership	Mon, 03/22/2010
(1) Do you plan to come out with a CTB workbook? I don't like killing trees, but especially in communities that don't have good internet access, a paper workbook might be the only way to go. (2) Have you come across workbooks that are good enough to recommend? My personal favorite is INRC's Organizer's Workbook (pretty pictures!)* Which ones, if any, do you like best? Thanks; Leo * http://ourblocks.net/organizers-workbook-and-other-resources-from-gini	Increasing Participation and Membership Analyzing Problems and Goals Developing a Framework or Model of Change Advocating for Change Assessing Community Needs and Resources Developing Strategic and Action Plans Increasing Participation and Membership Analyzing Problems and Goals Developing a Framework or Model of Change Advocating for Change Assessing Community Needs and Resources Developing Strategic and Action Plans	Sat, 04/03/2010
What is the best method of study on drug abuse determinant like prevalence?	Analyzing Problems and Goals	Sun, 04/04/2010
Hi, I am trying to conduct an environmental scan (or community analysis) of all the organizations, coalitions, agencies etc who deals with health within our community to determine who is out there and the connectedness between everyone. Are there best practices around doing a community scan? Are there surveys available? How can we best get this information? Any information would be great. Thanks, Claire	Assessing Community Needs and Resources	Wed, 04/14/2010
Sorry- this is part 2 of my previous question... what I am trying to accomplish is a community network analysis which shows all the all the organizations, coalitions, agencies etc who deals with health within our community to determine who is out there and the connectedness between everyone. Do you know of any software that does this sort of network mapping? Or best practices around this also? My first questions were: "Hi, I am trying to conduct an environmental scan (or community analysis) of all the organizations, coalitions, agencies etc who deals with health within our community to determine who is out there and the connectedness between everyone. Are there best practices around doing a community scan? Are there surveys available? How can we best get this information?" Sorry for the confusion. Thanks	Assessing Community Needs and Resources	Wed, 04/14/2010
I am attempting to work on a scholarly projecct on community gardens for immigrant and refugee communities. My hope is that i might develop program guidelines to help create and sustain a community garden for this populations. Where can i find helpful resources? Do you have any suggestions?	Sustaining the Work or Initiative Developing an Intervention Assessing Community Needs and Resources Sustaining the Work or Initiative Developing an Intervention Assessing Community Needs and Resources	Wed, 04/14/2010
Team Up for Youth is a youth development sports organization that places volunteer coaches in after-school sports programs in Northern and Southern California. We have created a pre/post Youth Survey to be used starting Fall 2010 to gather information on youth's perceptions of their volunteer coaches and adults in their after school program, perceptions of sports and physical activity, and various youth development measures. We have 12 staff members who will be giving these evaluations to middle school youth. Our question is how we can make our data collection, entry, and dissemination easier and streamlined. Essentially, we need a database where staff could input the results from the survey, and it would be converted and stored in a way where we could easily pull specific responses to use for grants and share with our constituency. We have considered having the 12 staff members code the youth responses into an excel spreadsheet or using a scantron machine. Is there an easier way? Can you recommend database systems specifically geared towards this purpose? Any suggestions you could give us about what tools can be used to make evaluation easier and more useful, what technology is available for evaluation, and what types of reporting instruments can be used would be very much appreciated!	Evaluating the Initiative	Wed, 04/14/2010
which kind of personal traits and characteristics that would not be a good fit with careers in community psychologist? and also, if I have___ would be good for be a community psychologist.	Building Leadership	Thu, 04/15/2010
Good afternoon, I have taken over working with the Nevada Cancer Coalition after many problems: 1) The first manager did not care to work with the people, and it showed. She did very little to work with the Coalition. 2) The second manager was well liked, but she only was in the position for a few months and then moved on to a new job. 3) The total time that these two were in place was approximately 1.5 years. The Coalition -- which tries to cover southern Nevada, northern Nevada, and rural Nevada -- found that it was breaking apart. No-one seemed to care as to moving the Coalition forward, except for 2-3 people. 4) In the midst of all of this, the recession/depression took place. I am now finding that there are very few employers who have bought into the Coalition, nor do they care to at this point. Getting through this recession/depression is their top priority. In essence, I guess my question is this: in the midst of this horrible economy in which employers have trouble allowing their employees take extra time handling anything besides work, after trying to pull a Coalition together and people feeling that this is a failed enterprise, and with the vast area of Nevada --- what would be the best process in putting this Coalition together? Any insights? Thank you for any help you can provide!	Creating and Maintaining Coalitions and Partnerships Developing Strategic and Action Plans	Mon, 01/04/2010
I volunteered for 14 months as the Director of Volunteers for a virtual agency dealing with domestic violence. I left the organization recently by resignation citing breach of policies and other volunteers having their own personal and confidential items shared with me and others within the organization. Since I have resigned a meeting was held telling the volunteer advocates that I resigned because of a alchol abuse problem and for having a daughter who is in a rehab center for substance abuse... How do I make a report on the agency as I am not the first one this has happened too. Really not sure where to start...thanks for this tool box..	Improving Organizational Management and Development	Thu, 01/21/2010
I am wondering if there is a resource you know of that provides information about the kinds of employment available for someone with a MA in community psychology	Analyzing Problems and Goals	Thu, 01/21/2010
Are you aware of any readiness guides to help people just getting started?	Developing an Intervention Assessing Community Needs and Resources Developing an Intervention Assessing Community Needs and Resources	Mon, 01/25/2010
We are conducting an assessment of Pacific Islanders Youth on obesity. We are looking for a standardized tool and a good focus group guide discussion.	Enhancing Cultural Competence Assessing Community Needs and Resources	Wed, 10/07/2009
I work in a shelter for homeless pregnant women. I am looking for group exercises to use to help build community in the shelter. Any ideas? Our residents stay with us during their pregnancy (3 - 6 months) and then move out into the community or return to their hometown. They are young adults (16 - 23, on average). I am looking for skill building exercises for use in groups, especially those with low literacy skills	Developing a Framework or Model of Change Developing an Intervention	Sat, 10/10/2009
I am a intern with the American Heart Association. I need to draft a letter requesting potential members of the community to form a task force for addressing high rates of cardiovascular disease in a borough or community. How can I pose this letter to attract potential members?	Increasing Participation and Membership Building Leadership	Wed, 10/14/2009
My position is grant funded and my job description was created with lofty ideals. It has been very challenging working in an unorganized and chaotic work environment. I work with a very diverse refugee population and it has been very challenging finding culturally appropriate health education materials. I was hoping by reaching out to my fellow colleagues in public health practice in order to find some helpful resources. My current position requires that I develop tools for program evaluation and needs assessment for my health education program. I have many questions so please accept my apologies in advance! How do I choose good health indicators? How do I measure health outcomes? For program evaluation for a refugee health program, how I measure behavior change? Especially in when different cultures interpret things differently. What tools (i.e., logic models, surveys, questionnaires, etc.) are available on the topic of refugee health? Are there videos available in different languages (e.g., Arabic, Karen, Burmese, Spanish, Nepali, Hindi, etc.) on health ed topics? How do I develop pre-/post-tests for low literate or illiterate refugees? What books or website would you recommend? Also, how do I rectify deterioating community partnerships? These task are beyond my scope of training, but I am very interested in learning how to do so...I just need additional training and guidance. Your time and patience is greatly appreciated. I look forward your reply. Thank you again for your assistance.	Creating and Maintaining Coalitions and Partnerships Assessing Community Needs and Resources Evaluating the Initiative	Wed, 10/14/2009
Hello, I am a manager of a complex community building initative. There are so many details and projects I am tackling and I am feel overwhelmed and disorganized. Do you know of any books, places on the internet, or have advice on how to manage it all (i.e. task, projects, to do lists). My old system of doing things is not cuttingi it. Many thanks!	Sustaining the Work or Initiative Improving Organizational Management and Development	Tue, 10/20/2009
Hi, I am an intern at the Massachusetts Dept. of Public Health. I am doing some research to guide a strategic planning process for a Boston-based alliance of neighborhood health coalitions. The Boston Alliance for Community Health is a health planning partnership between 9 neighborhood-based coalitions (each has CBO, health clinic, and resident members), hospitals, and state and local government. I have been searching for examples of comparable "coalitions of coalitions" in which neighborhood coalitions convene as a larger group at the city level. I've yet to find anything, aside from some defunct organizations that came out of the Turning Points Partnerships of the 1990s. I would greatly appreciate any insight you could offer. Thanks, and take care, Justin Feldman MSW/MPH Student Intern Office of the Commissioner Massachusetts Department of Public Health (617) 624-5295	Building Leadership Developing a Framework or Model of Change Improving Organizational Management and Development	Fri, 10/30/2009
hello, I am a communicastions professional presnetly assigned to Zaria LGA in Kaduna state of Northern Nigeria working on polio immunization prog. My request for advice is on the following: 1.Data shows that non compliance is in terms of anti preaching by religious leaders, 2. lack of motivated vaccinator's team and also hard to reach areas leading to missed children. 3. Lack of awareness among community on why immunization is important. I found that media advocacy had not been explored earlier. I have managed to garner free airtime on TV and radio and would seek your advice on drawing up a detailed media plan for at least 16 weeks. And also an M&E plan. We are in the process of having ashort burst campaign before the upcoming IPD on 21st Nov. 209. The content will be: For Radio: information on importance of immunization, How to identify AFP cases, danger signs of WPV Information on the upcomimg IPD, discussion on last round stats During the IPDs, constant info about the rounds and jingles For TV: Week 1 is the same as for radio Week 2 is discussion with a doctor who is arep of the Emir. week 3- during the IPD we will be doing live coverage of the wards Please advice me as to how to proceed and what else should I look for in this short time. Also advice will be greatly appreciated in terms of drawing up a detailed media plan. Grateful if a speedy response is provided. Thanks and regards Sunetra Ghosh Communications professional	Implementing a Social Marketing Effort	Tue, 11/10/2009
I work for an eye care organisation and am in the process of developing patient education material. As I look through this great website - rich in resources - I wonder if you could help me find methods to evaluate health education material.	Evaluating the Initiative	Wed, 11/11/2009
in dealing with community development, what are the implications approachs to the social care practitioner?	Analyzing Problems and Goals Improving Organizational Management and Development	Sat, 11/21/2009