Ask an Advisor Questions

Question	Core Competency	Date
I am working on a documentary that explores connections among individuals who may not have crossed paths otherwise, providing the viewers with the opportunity to experience what it’s like to engage with one another in a shared, safe space. Exposing people to what it feels like to be in an environment that encourages us to work together towards one common goal, often found in; sports, politics, unions, military, medicine, and Hollywood. This type of experience is usually only achieved by participating in or, in this case, letting people experience what that feels like through the stories of others - taking an inside look at the conversations and feelings surrounding these environments and what we can learn from them. I have a letter of support from a local PBS station but my goal is to tour cities, villages and communities to show the final piece but to also provide them with a leave behind tool kit to continue that conversation after we leave as well as have my website a social media channels provide that same resource. I would love any insight that can be provided on community approach so I can be the most effective in my efforts to create positive change. Another area that I would love some help with is any insight a grant funding for this type of film project. More info can be found on my website: https://changingtomorrow4us.org/		Wed, 10/18/2023
How can Worcester, MA --a city with over a billion dollars of development money set aside to revitalize the central core and not a single innovative architect retained to design great buildings and public space. How do cities attract innovative architects like Frank Gehry, Zaha Hadid, Renzo Piano, Santiago Calatrava, Tom Wright, I.M.Pei to design striking buildings and transform public space? What carrots are dangled in front of the horses' mouth?		Tue, 10/10/2023
Our nonprofit is named The Wright Place for Us. We are building an ADA cabin and campground for people with disabilities with a heavy emphasis on children. The camp will double as a place where youth who have limited opportunities to have fun learn how to make good eye contact, peaceful conflict resolution, focus, etc. However, very few grants support people with disabilities. Our being a start-up, that needs capital also makes it difficult. Any thoughts? Thank you for your time.		Sun, 10/08/2023
I am Nabaraj Khanal, currently serving as the leader of Community Innovation Organization (CIO), a non-profit entity founded on February 1, 2023. Following the completion of my college degree, my colleagues from diverse academic backgrounds and I established CIO. Our focus areas include community development, environmental initiatives, food and nutrition, as well as maternal and child health. Over the past month, we have actively engaged in various community activities, school programs, and conducted several research projects. Additionally, we proudly operate a community living center (homestay in the village of Panauti) where we offer free food and accommodation for those interested in contributing to our initiatives in Nepal. While our team is passionate about our work, we are currently facing challenges due to a lack of experience and guidance. We seek assistance in organizing our resources, establishing connections for our living center and organization with potential partners, and designing sustainable education projects in public schools. Your expertise and support in these areas would greatly contribute to the success and impact of our organization. Thank you for considering our request, and we look forward to your advice. Also, we want you to welcome here at Nepal. Best regards, Nabaraj Khanal		Sat, 10/07/2023
I would like to speak to someone who works with non-profits for fundraising and donations.		Sun, 10/01/2023
I'm working on a research project thru the Black Researchers Collective in Chicago. I've been assigned the Chicago-based neighborhood of South Chicago and need an Assest Map for it. Does one exisist already? How does one find existing asset maps for various neighborhoods in America? I'd assume that they exist already as they are important, necessary and take time to complete. So do you know where I can find an Asset Map of the South Chicago neighborhood in Chicago,Illinois?	Assessing Community Needs and Resources	Wed, 09/13/2023
Hello, my Name is Hanna and I'm currently writing my master thesis about facade greening at schools. The main part will be a constellation analysis to identify actors, their interdependencies and aspects/ obstacles which curretly interfere a wider implementation. After conducting expertinterviews with all actors I would like to diskuss the finalizes draft of the constellation analysis with the actors and at the same time create a closer understanding for one another and their perspective. There will be an action day from another project where all actors will be invited, but i only have a small timeframe to discuss my draft. So im struggeling with the choice of the right participation format/ discussion method. I was already considering a fishbowl, but it might be not the best choise as there are different dominances of actors like for example employees and their superiors, Due to the time shortage i also thought about a whiteboard to present the draft and collect feedback via an online tool, but in this case the discussion between the actors and the exchange will be lost. I would be very greatful for any kind of advise! Best regards, hanna	Improving Organizational Management and Development	Wed, 08/09/2023
how to solve shortage of water in the community	Analyzing Problems and Goals Developing Strategic and Action Plans Advocating for Change Influencing Policy Development	Thu, 07/20/2023
Is your toolkit for module 7, Developing an Intervention, the same as the project management cycle? For example, if I want to help increase transportation access for low-income immigrants in my community so they can get to the clinic, should I start with module 7?	Analyzing Problems and Goals Developing Strategic and Action Plans Increasing Participation and Membership Advocating for Change	Sat, 07/15/2023
My name is Maddie Krause and I am reaching out regarding a research project I am doing for my Nursing Master's program. I am looking into e-cigarette usage within the pediatric population (ages 18 and below) within the St. Louis area. I was wondering if I could be put in touch with someone to conduct an email interview with some questions around this topic. Thank you in advance for your help!		Thu, 06/29/2023
Hi, My name is Laura and I am currently the coordinator for a sexual assault nurse examiner program. Although the program has been around for numerous years in the community, the number of victims we have attending the hospital for evaluation is very minimal comparatively to the number of sexually violent crimes that occurring in the community. I am currently struggling to have nurses interested in the program due to the on call portion, and I also struggle to maintain the nurses I have trained because they are not seeing cases often enough to feel confident in this area of practice. Sadly, this has led to victims not receiving the care they deserve because of the lack of on call coverage. I also feel there is a disconnect between the hospital SANE program and receiving support in the community. I feel that I need to give all resources and counselling in that first initial appointment, because the likelihood of being able to follow up with the victim is minimal. I worry that there is community based services that could be offered, but the patient would have to make the effort to reach out themselves, and they may not be in the place to do so after a traumatic event. And most likely, they will not remember much of the education because these individuals are still in shock from the event that occurred to them. Lastly, sometimes there is a duplication of services. So for example, if an individual was assaulted and seen by a sane nurse, but also disclosed that they have no where to live that is safe- the sane nurse may try to tackle this instead of social work in the hospital, which is part of their service. As a fairly new nurse and new to a coordinator role- I want to build a program that is most effective for the community, while not breaching on others job roles, and hoping address some of the services that are missing completely in the community. Where do I start? How do I become a better leader?	Developing Strategic and Action Plans Influencing Policy Development Improving Organizational Management and Development	Tue, 06/27/2023
What kind of community work one can do?	Increasing Participation and Membership	Sat, 06/24/2023
Hi! I hope you can enlighten me about the neighborhood beautification project process like to start it. My boss is planning to give back to the community by offering free house exterior painting. He will be fully funding the first project and if everything goes well we will look for a non-profit org to help us out for the future project. I would like to know where to start, what papers/ permits we need, basically the process on how to do it. I hope someone can answer and I would highly appreciate it. Hope to hear from you soon. Thank you!	Increasing Participation and Membership	Thu, 05/25/2023
Your website is wonderful ( I have accidentally but fortunately stumbled on) I work with a century-old global organization, Zonta International (Zonta.org) We aim to build a better world for women and girls. I am currently looking to expand in Chile and wonder if you have any advisors in that country? Thank you!	Enhancing Cultural Competence	Thu, 05/25/2023
Hello, I am looking at using your toolbox in my college course. I was curious when the last time the toolbox was updated? Thanks, Suzanne		Thu, 05/18/2023
My research topic is the assessment of practice of social marketing campaign strategy in Ethiopian national blood bank service. What is your advice for me especially the theoretical and conceptual models. And also,the research questions and approaches. Thanks in advance,	Implementing a Social Marketing Effort	Sat, 05/13/2023
where to find sources in the communities to assist with different needs and maintenance	Assessing Community Needs and Resources	Tue, 05/09/2023
Hello, The Y has been a part of many grass roots coalitions and served as a fiscal agent in cases. Recently we've been asked by two orgs about how we can oversee a local coalition. I'd like to find tools, legal info about what this might look like. We have attorneys who are great at dissecting agreements but I want more general knowledge. Thanks so much, Kim	Creating and Maintaining Coalitions and Partnerships	Thu, 05/04/2023
Hi, I live in a community-driven neighborhood in San Diego and wanted to contribute to the community building efforts. I was thinking of building a collective problem tree (and subsequently solution tree) to tackle community needs and identify assets and resources by interviewing individuals of this community. I would be posting this community needs assessment online, to raise awareness and try to promote meaningful actionable path to tackle those needs. I want to bring light to needs identified by community members, promote community ownership and mobilization of resources to eventually act upon those needs. I am still working on the questionnaire, do you have any advice by any chance? Thank you	Assessing Community Needs and Resources Developing Strategic and Action Plans Increasing Participation and Membership	Fri, 04/21/2023
Hello, I am a foster parent of 2 and I would like to open up a Group home "Safe Haven for the children here in MEMPHIS,TN. I'm looking for advice/support on where to start? Im looking for help with funding as well with licenses/permits etc. Any help would be greatly appreciated.	Increasing Participation and Membership	Sun, 04/16/2023
I am trying to develop an Integrated Prevention Program in a military setting, frames after the public health model of tier 1 prevention. We are trying to assess the current state and build as needed our prevention system - the people, the relationships and infrastructure (specifically data, current policies, current prevention efforts, etc.) I am looking for a structured or semi structured interview tool or assessment tool that our working group can use to capture the information needed to understand our current system and the gaps. We are not even close to a needs assessment. This is literally building our framework system to then build our processes.	Assessing Community Needs and Resources Developing a Framework or Model of Change Developing Strategic and Action Plans Increasing Participation and Membership Influencing Policy Development Sustaining the Work or Initiative	Wed, 04/12/2023
We have formed a group and picked a name and are meeting with the officials advocating for capacity building at our local animal shelter. Do we need to form a legal entity like a non-profit or can we can continue as a group of people just doing stuff?	Improving Organizational Management and Development Sustaining the Work or Initiative	Mon, 04/10/2023
Hi crew! I'm a civics coordinator with an environmental nonprofit and we have been working with the office of the Senator that introduced a PFAS regulation bill. We are trying to whip up support through letters of testimony, and I'm hoping to reach out to community members that are affected by PFAS to ask for their supportive testimony. The problem that I am running into is that we want testimony to not sound like it is all coming from the same source. I was thinking about including talking points, but if those are recycled in each testimony, we can risk the quality of testimony, but I also want to make written testimony as easy and enticing as possible. One of my questions is do you all have any resources that I can share with our community on how to best give written testimony, and do you have any best practices as well? Additionally, do you know of any way that we can use AI as a method to create unique testimony - I have been using chat GPT and it works pretty well! Thank you so much y'all.	Advocating for Change Implementing a Social Marketing Effort	Tue, 04/04/2023
Hi Community Toolbox! We are planning a piece of action research in relation to sexual gender based violence in Bangladesh and want to include different community representatives on a steering/monitoring/oversight committee and wondered if you have any suggestions on recruiting people to such a committee since the number of potential stakeholders will be quite large? Thank you. Best, Patrick	Increasing Participation and Membership	Tue, 04/04/2023
I have a 12-year-old nephew living in Haverhill mass who would like to be part of an organization on changing the school system. He feels the school system is outdated, and kids are not being taught skills that would be beneficial to real life situations/jobs, as well as the teaching skills of teachers and children, not being taught in the way they are able to learn well. He would like information on who to write to regarding this and what actions he could take as a 12-year-old kid be it organizations to join, etc..	Developing Strategic and Action Plans Advocating for Change	Mon, 03/27/2023
Hi - my name is Danelle Zapzalka and I live in Central Minnesota. I am taking a Community Health course as part of obtaining a bachelor of science degree. As part of my final project I need to complete a community assessment, plan, implement, and evaluate a project within a community designed to address the primary prevention of an identified health concern. My question to you... Is there a particular area within Central Minnesota that is of high need of assistance and change? My initial community ideas include veterans and women shelters. Do you have any recommendations? Thank you for your time.	Assessing Community Needs and Resources	Mon, 03/20/2023
Hello, I am an Irish psychology student currently studying abroad in Bulgaria. Here, I am taking a course in disability, accomodation & adaption, and the psychology of social change with Prof. Ronald Harvey. As part of these courses, I will be working alongside disabled students at our university; our goal is to make the disability services here more accessible and receptive to students' needs. One major barrier to this has been the students' self advocacy, particularly for those with invisible disabilities: Many students choose not to disclose their disabilities due to previous bad experiences and a lack of faith in the services. Even if I am unable to make policy changes to the university, I still want to change students' attitude, to encourage them to engage more with these services and with each other. To this end, I wanted to ask for advice on how to build self-advocacy and solidarity in a community of (primarily invisibly) disabled college students. Currently, I am looking towards peer-run solutions that give disabled students agency to represent and campaign for themselves (for example, peer-support groups for wellbeing, peer-run meet and greets or campus orientations). I also want to take inspiration from my home university and their access programme (the Maynooth Access Programme or MAP). Student Central is one aspect of this programme that links disabled students to an assistant psychologist and offers them one-to-one academic support. I don't think I'll manage to find an assistant psychologist, but I am interested in setting up a similar mentor-support network between junior and senior students. Of these suggestions (or if you have others), is there one that would be most feasible to achieve? And are these effective ways to foster community, solidarity, and self-advocacy amongst these students? If there is anything else I should explain or clarify, I would be happy to do so. Thank you so much for your time and I look forward to your response. Naoise	Assessing Community Needs and Resources Developing Strategic and Action Plans Building Leadership Advocating for Change Influencing Policy Development	Sat, 03/18/2023
I am currently preparing for my culminating project to graduate with my MPH. For my project, I am hoping to evaluate our state's rural health association as I work in the rural health field and was excited to loop in my existing professional interests. My question is, would evaluating a professional association such as of rural health professionals, follow the same principles of evaluating a coalition or an issue-based initiative? I know most of their efforts are put toward advocacy, networking, and education if that is helpful for context.	Evaluating the Initiative	Tue, 03/14/2023
I need to devise a plan according your toolbox to become adherent to GGHHI on a Health care waste management program in my hospital	Developing Strategic and Action Plans	Tue, 03/14/2023
2) Draft an action plan for a strategy in Cynthia's workplace. Be sure to include all the necessary steps and fabricate whatever detail necessary.	Developing Strategic and Action Plans	Tue, 03/14/2023
Hello, I am part of the Psychology of Social Change Class. My professor, Ronald Harvey, mentioned you can help me and my partner. We are doing a project about drug and alcohol prevention. We are looking for effective ways to approach our research. Any information or advice would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.		Wed, 03/08/2023
How do i use community toolbox, just pay for my courses and curriculum? Workstation etc		Wed, 03/01/2023
1.) A concerned citizen approaches local government officials about developing a walking path in their community. Who should be involved in this scenario? How should each individual or organization be involved? 2.) There has been an increase in heroin use in a metropolitan area. The local government needs a solution. Who will be involved in coming up with a plan? Who should be involved in this scenario? How should each individual or organization be involved? 3.)The number of people who are homeless in urban areas has increased by 15% in the last two years. Citizens are concerned and complaining to the city government. Who will be involved to address the issue? Who should be involved in this scenario? How should each individual or organization be involved?	Analyzing Problems and Goals Developing Strategic and Action Plans Advocating for Change	Wed, 03/01/2023
Dear Advisors, My teammates and I are working on a project for a Psychology of Social Change course with Prof. Ronald Harvey at the American University in Bulgaria. We are currently focused on a social problem that concerns mental health. We were thinking of exploring why people do not seek outside/professional help when needed. Our focus is Bulgaria, but we think that in the Balkan region, the case is similar. What we believe is the most 'troublesome' group is older men. In Bulgaria, the older generation does not seem to accept well the idea of going to therapy. This might be because of fear of shame. They tend to keep the problems to themselves, and/or friends and family. We currently haven't found any scholarly sources on this issue. Do you think you could maybe forward us some sources and studies that contain interesting information about the case? Thank you in advance! Best regards, Viktoriya Ikonomova	Analyzing Problems and Goals Developing Strategic and Action Plans	Mon, 02/27/2023
Hello! We are Psychology Majors from the American University in Bulgaria and we are taking a course in Psychology of Social Change with Professor Ronald Harvey. One of our main projects is to make a research about a local social problem. We decided to work on the lack of housing on campus of our university since last year there was an influx of new students and many of them had to seek alternatives off campus (hotel rooms, rentals, Airbnb, etc.). This leads to lack of integration and a feeling of isolation from the community, which especially affects foreign students. We are open to any suggestions on how we could make the students living off campus feel a part of the university and how we could help the university to tackle the issue. Any links/research done on this matter would be very helpful because we could not find much online. Probable topics we discussed are reflection on mental health, possible solutions, and cases from abroad where this situation occurred. Thank you for your time! :)	Assessing Community Needs and Resources Analyzing Problems and Goals Developing Strategic and Action Plans Increasing Participation and Membership Improving Organizational Management and Development	Mon, 02/27/2023
Hello, I was referred by Prof. Ronald Harvey to this community website. Please, provide some ideas about easier integration of international freshmen students to the university community. Can you also tell me some opposing sides of this issue and why they might disagree? Some practices from real universities might also be helpful if you are aware of any. Thank you!	Analyzing Problems and Goals Developing Strategic and Action Plans Increasing Participation and Membership Advocating for Change Influencing Policy Development Improving Organizational Management and Development	Mon, 02/27/2023
Hello everyone, I have a couple of questions: How to integrate first year international students in the university community? How to prevent them from having psychology difficulties in their academic journey? How to rise awareness regarding the problem? What activities should be done regarding the issue? Thank you in advance! Kind regards, Velina Parashkevova	Assessing Community Needs and Resources Analyzing Problems and Goals Developing Strategic and Action Plans Increasing Participation and Membership Advocating for Change Influencing Policy Development Improving Organizational Management and Development	Mon, 02/27/2023
How to cite a part of this website in APA format? I am looking to use some information off of this page /en/table-of-contents/implement/enhancing-support/peer-support-groups/main - but I am unsure how to cite it. Who would the author be? Would it be Chris Hampton because he is the contributor? Thanks!		Wed, 02/22/2023
Hello, I would love to use your resources for a class project. What is the proper way to cite this? /en/table-of-contents/overview/models-for-community-health-and-development/collective-impact/main Thank you! Kelly	Developing a Framework or Model of Change	Fri, 02/10/2023
Hi Everyone, I am a practising individual and couple’s therapist, been trained at NIMHANS, Bangalore India. I practice in New Delhi (the capital city of India) in private. I am originally from Srinagar, Kashmir – the northern part of India. Kashmir has been conflict areas and a historic bone of contention between two countries – India and Pakistan and since the inception of armed conflict in 1990s, the society has been showing all the signs of trauma and increased psychosomatic illnesses. After Covid, there has been an alarming increase in divorces and relationship dissolution impacting families, children and society in general. The armed conflict has already left thousands of children orphan and now increasing rate of divorces are making the situation more worse. Since the valley doesn't have any expert trained to intervene at a grassroots level or at a community level, I have been contemplating developing an intervention model to work with the community. As I am not trained in community psychology and work with couples only in therapeutic context, I was hoping if you could guide me in a direction about how to approach the issue. I am putting up few important questions as of now that I have in my mind: 1. How to approach the idea of community intervention in the context of relationship problems prevalent in the Kashmiri society? 2. What research and intervention models are appropriate to engage at community level? 3. What stakeholders within the society I should collaborate with in order to make a sustainable and effective interventions?	Assessing Community Needs and Resources Developing a Framework or Model of Change Developing Strategic and Action Plans Increasing Participation and Membership	Sat, 02/04/2023
Hello! I am working on a rural health research project focusing on Tusayan, Arizona and women's health. There is a lack of resources there and the closest care would be roughly an hour away in Flagstaff, Arizona. I was hoping to see if you had any ideas on how to assist this community.	Assessing Community Needs and Resources Analyzing Problems and Goals Developing an Intervention	Tue, 01/31/2023
I live in Springfield Township, Montgomery County, PA. We are having a controversy regarding the Township's Police Benevolent Association using the symbol of the Blue Line Flag on some of their communications to promote police solidarity. Many in our community feel the flag has been co-opted by white supremacists and is not appropriate to be used by Township police. Our Township Commissioners passed a resolution to prevent the police from using the symbol while on duty. This past Friday, the PBA informed the Township they are instituting legal action against the Commissioners. Those of us in the community who just want peace and justice need help in resolving the situation. Can you help us?	Analyzing Problems and Goals Influencing Policy Development	Mon, 01/30/2023
I am using toolbox for an assignment in school and need to use in-text citation. What was the year this was published and who is the author(s)?		Sun, 01/29/2023
in a power point presentation how many sentences and what font size is recommended how many is too many visuals? and should visuals be placed throughout or at end of presentation?		Tue, 01/24/2023
Hello Advisors, My name is Sanjay Shrivastav and I am from India. During my research, I have landed this page. Well, first of all, I would like to thank you for providing some exceptional services for the communities. I am looking for the best Community Software for the community management. And, I have reviewed following Google Searches. 1. https://www.g2.com/categories/online-community-management 2. https://www.softwareadvice.com/community/ 3. https://www.capterra.com/community-software/ 4. https://www.softwareworld.co/best-community-software/ Well, there are lots of options available and I am quite confused about. Could you please help me to know which online software would be the best option for community planning and development? Thanks	Developing Strategic and Action Plans	Wed, 01/18/2023
I started a nonprofit to provide transitional housing and life skill education for the single mothers in the redline neighborhoods. I am working on my first project to host a money management workshop. The location I am interested in is a low housing community with 100% single mothers residence and about 25% are working outside of the home. I want to know what would be the best way to start a money management workshop and would asking my bank to sponsor the event be a great idea? The main question is how should I propose using the community center as the place to hold the event?	Increasing Participation and Membership	Wed, 01/11/2023
Hello, I am a public health planner with City of Austin-Austin Public Health, and wanted to know if you or others have access to consultants who assist with community health improvement plans (CHIP)? Any insight or direction would be greatly appreciated!	Developing Strategic and Action Plans	Thu, 01/05/2023
Hello, My name is Elizabeth Morgan. I have spent the last 2 years studying and researching impacts and treatment for trauma, PTSD, C-PTSD, with a focus on sexual abuse trauma. This is because one of my children, my daughter who turned 16 today) is a victim of sexual trauma from a family member. I started college in 2008, and took many classes on psychology, and wrote most research papers with a focused and focus on mental health. Though I was unaware of what my daughter was going through until late November 2017, I have a significant amount of family members who struggle with mental health, and therefore I have always had a strong desire to understand their struggles as well as some withib myself. I am active duty Army National Guard, with nearly 14 years of service. I have an BS degree as well as an AA Degree in Organizational Management. My experience outside of personal research includes EMT, medical management, case coordinator, and about 5 years of training and operations of multiple small companies. Since May 2020, my family and I have worked closely with the wrap around program in Indiana to focus on my daughter's recovery. As the years pass and I see retirement quickly approaching, I am looking to get involved in my state and community and focus my career change in advocating awareness, making resources more known and readily available, and actively participating in policy change. I have started by enrolling in FRIENDS Online Learning Courses for additional knowledge, but I am looking for guidance on getting actively involved. I greatly appreciate your time, and I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you!	Advocating for Change	Thu, 01/05/2023
Hello, I'm a social worker and I just started a position as a Case Manager/Advocacy Specialist at a small LGBT community center in Washington, DC. My position is grant-funded and the only way they could get accepted was by creating a dedicated advocacy position outside of therapy services. My job is poorly defined and is honestly the creation of a person that does not want to be a program director nor do they want to be in-person with the community they serve. I'm just a bit overwhelmed with where to start. The other people on my team are remote and very disconnected with what in person is like or what the needs are. Our front desk on daily has people coming in with housing/shelter and food insecurities and the best they can do is direct to our pantry (if there is anything) and give them a resource guide that has not been verified/updated in a long time. I really need to develop a referral service system that connects to my advocating role but before that I feel like the most immediate thing (and most helpful for me learning other community services) is to update the resource guide but since Im overwhelmed im not even sure where to start with that. Any advice, tools or resources would be DEEPLY appreciated. Thank you so much!	Developing Strategic and Action Plans Advocating for Change	Thu, 12/01/2022
I'm the Elderly Hispanic Coordinator. How can I or what can I do to keep my seniors interested in coming to the senior center.	Increasing Participation and Membership	Thu, 12/01/2022