Building local capacity for evidence-based intervention in violence prevention: The dating matters capacity assessment planning tool (DM-CAPT)

Background: Successful delivery of evidence-based interventions (EBI's) often requires local organizations to develop new capacities. DM-CAPT is an innovative online system that helps organizations prepare for implementing EBIs. DM-CAPT generates automated reports and action plans from capacity assessments completed online by stakeholders, reducing technical assistance needed for data compilation and planning. Organizations, therefore, can focus resources on capacity-building and staff training. This presentation discusses DM-CAPT's theoretical and empirical foundation, practical application and advantages for agencies that address multiple violence topics. Methods: We identified key capacity areas through a literature search, key informant interviews, and an expert panel; piloted assessments with potential end-users, and conducted interviews with grantees that used DM-CAPT to prepare for implementing a teen dating violence initiative. The automated assessment report includes scores for each capacity area, highlights strengths and gaps and links to resources. Reports are used to complete an online worksheet, which generates an automated action plan. Both the report and action plan are revisited for periodic updates and reprioritization of capacity building foci. Results: We will present key capacity areas for implementing EBIs, findings from the initial DM-CAPT pilot and interview findings on how practitioners used the system to prepare for specific EBIs and its strengths and challenges Conclusion: DM-CAPT's main advantage over other capacity assessments is its ability to analyze data, generate a user-friendly report immediately following assessment completion, and serve as an ongoing, online capacity building tool for organizations. The system can be modified to include new EBIs or violence types as needed.