Most discussions of community-based participatory research typically begin after the relationship between the community based organization and university group has already been established. Much less is known about how to develop these community-academic partnerships and how to focus them in a context that promotes the principles of community-based participatory research. We report on efforts begun at the Johns Hopkins Urban Health Institute to foster a supportive environment for developing community partnerships through a four step process: (1) exploratory interviews with community agencies and organizations; (2) topic specific informational forums that bring investigators and community groups together to discuss mutual interests and concerns surrounding a specific issue; (3) skill-building and mentoring within each respective academic unit and within the community on principles and applications of community-based participatory research; and (4) identifying internal and external funding sources and academic career modeling to promote actualizing of these partnerships. We will present our findings and observations to date as one example of how an academic health center can institutionalize and legitimize the process of community based participatory research.
Learning Objectives: By the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to (1) Identify and discuss the four step process used to develop community-based participatory research partnerships and (2) Discuss why partnerships based on funding opportunities many be less successful
Keywords: Community Collaboration, Community-Based Partnership
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.