Ask an Advisor Questions

Question	Core Competency	Date
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
A non-profit is desirous of hiring the services of a good proposal writer. Can you assist.?	Writing a Grant Application for Funding	Sun, 11/22/2009
Is it possible for me to get a scholarship to persue a degree course in communityu health and development?. If yes! kindly forward to me some of the probable scholarship offers so that I can apply. Thank you in advance.		Tue, 12/29/2009
Hello over the past three years I have devoted my time to developing a program which promotes a healthy active lifestyle for older adults. I enlisted a local community group and we applied for government funding under their mandate. That is where the partnership came to a grinding halt. The money was approved and I am being compensated for an information session I give once a month yet all other promises have been neglected. I am setting up an advisory council made up of all the local leaders of community groups for seniors. The community group that applied on my behalf has taken over my idea including the name as its own. What can I do . Thank you for your time	Developing an Intervention Creating and Maintaining Coalitions and Partnerships	Tue, 06/16/2009
I am being interviewed for a Community Education Coordinator position at a community college. The coordinator will be responsible to seeking out local community agencies to help them provide ESL, ABE, GED, etc courses for adults. I have to give a 10 min. presentation on "How to enhance adult education course offerings at your site" to a mock audience of 3 people in the community organization. I was wondering if you might help me find specific information on this to help create my presenation. Thank you!!!	Increasing Participation and Membership Developing a Framework or Model of Change Creating and Maintaining Coalitions and Partnerships Evaluating the Initiative Developing Strategic and Action Plans	Sat, 06/20/2009
Please can you suggest some research topics for me in the area of community health & development, for the award of a post gradaute diploma in community development	Analyzing Problems and Goals Developing a Framework or Model of Change Developing an Intervention Enhancing Cultural Competence Assessing Community Needs and Resources Developing Strategic and Action Plans	Thu, 07/02/2009
Examine the problems of effective community development in developing countries of the world.	Enhancing Cultural Competence Assessing Community Needs and Resources	Thu, 07/02/2009
What are the roles and responsibilities of a community mobilizer, what sort of job discription would be offered to one?	Developing Strategic and Action Plans	Tue, 07/14/2009
Hello! I am confused what forms to fill out when I want to approve a non profit organization to the secretary of state in California. Is there any more paperwork than just the articles of incorporation and the bylaws?		Tue, 07/21/2009
I need to do a needs asessment of the residents of our organisationto provide good programs..where do I start? Any examples of surveys, etc	Analyzing Problems and Goals Assessing Community Needs and Resources Developing Strategic and Action Plans	Wed, 07/22/2009
hi, i am trying to apply the stages of community development in preventing teenge pregnancy in a certain community, however i am encountering problem can u please help	Analyzing Problems and Goals	Fri, 07/31/2009
i'M INTERESTED IN CREATING A LEARNING CENTER FOR COMMUNITY EDUCATION FOCUSED ON SOCIAL SKILLS AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN A LIFE SERIES SKILLS WORKSHOP AND TRAINING SERVICE FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS, THEIR CHILDREN AND OTHER AUDIENCES FOR EDUCATIONAL AND COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION. I'M NOT A CERTIFIED TEACHER BUT HAVE EXTENDED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, SKILLS AND EDUCATION WITHIN THE NON-PROFIT COMMUNITIES AS FACILITATOR, ADVOCATE, EDUCATOR, COACH AND MENTOR . ANY THOUGHTS ON WHAT KINDS OF OBSTACLES, RESISTANCE OR UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES THAT MIGHT INHIBIT MY FOCUS? THANKS MARLA 913-387-4008	Implementing a Social Marketing Effort Creating and Maintaining Coalitions and Partnerships Assessing Community Needs and Resources Developing Strategic and Action Plans	Thu, 08/06/2009
Dear Colleagues Are you familiar at all with my work ... and development of Community Analytics (CA). CA has some of the mindset of the UK Community Toolbox, but probably is even more community centric. As well as being applicable for general community development, it is being applied for health initiative performance measurement. I would like to locate someone for a conversation ... I am in New York.		Mon, 08/10/2009
How can the inclusivity of a local and neigbouring community be achieved within a corporation?	Building Leadership Developing a Framework or Model of Change Developing an Intervention Creating and Maintaining Coalitions and Partnerships Improving Organizational Management and Development Enhancing Cultural Competence Assessing Community Needs and Resources Developing Strategic and Action Plans	Wed, 08/12/2009
Has anyone had sucess using Facebook for a Communities Mobilizing for Change on Alcohol program (CMCA)in Kansas? I would like to visit with a CMCA organizer that has finished the community proflie to see if there is anything I am overlooking.	Assessing Community Needs and Resources Developing Strategic and Action Plans	Mon, 08/17/2009
Do you have any power point presentation or reports on rural hospital community assessments of what community member want from their hospitals? My hospital would like to conduct focus groups regarding what they think of services at our hospital and what they would like to see in the future. I would like to see "the outcome" of such reports	Assessing Community Needs and Resources	Mon, 08/17/2009
How can we assess the relavance and impact of health education materials like brochure, Pamphlets etc? as well as the health education programme?	Implementing a Social Marketing Effort Evaluating the Initiative	Tue, 08/25/2009
Describe the community where you grow up in the term of it's existing socio-economics as well as culture political dynamics.	Analyzing Problems and Goals Assessing Community Needs and Resources	Tue, 09/08/2009
I am a resident and planning to have a workshop about different relegion in our areas, my turn is coming, i will do a workshop about Roman Catholic. I have never done a workshop, please help	Developing Strategic and Action Plans	Tue, 09/08/2009
I have funding for a small CBPR project it Latin America and am looking for a Spanish speaking researcher who has worked with poor communities in Central America and/or Southern Mexico. How can I find such a person?		Sat, 09/12/2009
How can we In Uganda East Africa angaged in the same community development benefit from your organisation?	Increasing Participation and Membership Influencing Policy Development Creating and Maintaining Coalitions and Partnerships Enhancing Cultural Competence	Fri, 09/18/2009
I am a development staff member at Rose Brooks Center, and was forwarded information on Latino Health for All with respect for grants. Do you have any information available regarding grants? Are there any upcoming meetings I could attend for more information? Thank you.		Mon, 09/21/2009
We have a piece off of this cite that an instructor of ours gave us as a reference to determine how we were suppose to complete an assignment. We are trying to determine what type of source your cite or info. from your cite would be considered.	Analyzing Problems and Goals Developing a Framework or Model of Change Assessing Community Needs and Resources	Wed, 09/23/2009
I am looking for information on the communities of excellence planning model. Can you refer me to any resource that provide a good overview of the process and when it is most appropriate to use? Thank you!	Developing a Framework or Model of Change	Thu, 10/01/2009
This past year I started implementation of a program which promotes a healthy active lifestyle to older adults in my community. The reception has been warm but I would like to involve others yet I have a hard time turning my baby over. Do you have any advice, I know conciously if I wish to reach as many participants as possible training others would be the ideal situation yet I have a problem handing over my name and reputation to someone else. Thank you for your time.	Building Leadership Sustaining the Work or Initiative	Fri, 06/05/2009
I have nursing students working at a subsidized housing complex. The tenants have multiple issues - mental illness, drug and alcohol addictions, past homelessness. The students plan is to help the community to determine a health concern and then work together to develop a strategy. The problem is that none of the tenants will come to any of the introductory events, such as Meet and Greet, Coffee and a Chat. They do not fill out any surveys even though the students deliver door to door. I have asked the students to look at what might be some of the reasons that could be keeping the ten ants from participating. Do you have any suggestions on how to gather feedback from the actual tenants themselves though? Would you suggest that we access this data by going through some of the other local agencies that support the tenants?I did access your chapter on difficulties in getting people to participate, but our problem is that they will not participate at all, even when there is food!	Analyzing Problems and Goals Enhancing Cultural Competence	Tue, 06/09/2009
I am opening a temporary housing program in a resource-poor country for patients who are in treatment for drug-resistant tuberculosis and whose unstable housing has become a barrier to treatment adherence. The patients will be in a non-infectious phase of treatment. I am looking for outcome data tools to monitor and measure the success of the program.	Evaluating the Initiative	Sat, 06/13/2009
I would like to implement a wellness program in the small to mid size companies in the surrounding community. I believe there is a need as many large companies have added these and reaped the benefits. I am not sure how to go about getting my vision to be a reality-get my foot in the door. I have some understanding of compiling a formal presentation to the powers that be. Any advice would be appreciated.	Developing a Framework or Model of Change Developing Strategic and Action Plans	Sun, 04/19/2009
I have been asked to volunteer in a different community - program is just starting up- I have been asked to go in and talk about advisory boards and recruit volunteers - ther person is new - I'm having difficulty in trying to deterimine how to proceed	Building Leadership Creating and Maintaining Coalitions and Partnerships	Tue, 04/21/2009
my name is mark c,im a recovery advocate for recovering addicts and alcoholics.my goal is to open several recovery houses in madison wisconsin, these houses will be ran by peers,[other recovering addicts and achoholics]this project will help several problems facing our society,1. it will help people in early recovery stay clean and sober,2.create jobs for our community,3.save lots of money to our correction community for people returning to jail, or prison ,or state funded treatment centers,4.save lots of money in loss productivity in our state,5.most of all stop discriminating against addicts,alcholics,mentally ill,felons,and thousands in homeiess,in our state,please respond on how i could proceed on this mission,thank you for your time !!! I have alot of good ideas just dont know how to kick them off!!!PLASE RESPOND I COULD USE THE HELP.	Developing an Intervention Creating and Maintaining Coalitions and Partnerships	Wed, 04/22/2009
I am looking for a job description for a community mobilizer related facilitating policy and system change in the built environment and access to healthy foods that will help people become more physically active and eat heatlhier	Improving Organizational Management and Development	Sun, 04/26/2009
We have an issue here in Roswell, New Mexico. The Boys and Girl's Club is in danger of shutting down due to money mismagement; and my Human Services class is trying to come up with ideas to try to help them. I was hopeing that maybe you could give me some suggestions.	Creating and Maintaining Coalitions and Partnerships Assessing Community Needs and Resources	Thu, 04/30/2009
We have a small non-profit to provide affordable housing for persons who had been homeless. We want to expand by purchasing more homes to meet the need for affordable housing in our community, but we are uncertain about how we might raise the funds necessary. Any advice would be appreciated.	Writing a Grant Application for Funding Developing Strategic and Action Plans	Tue, 05/12/2009
I wish to create a youth group who will be trained in the field of crime prevention. Regards	Increasing Participation and Membership Building Leadership Analyzing Problems and Goals Developing a Framework or Model of Change Developing an Intervention Creating and Maintaining Coalitions and Partnerships Assessing Community Needs and Resources Evaluating the Initiative Developing Strategic and Action Plans	Thu, 05/21/2009