The longitudinal effect of technical assistance dosage on the functioning of Communities That Care prevention boards...

This study examined the impact of on-site and off-site technical assistance (TA) dosage on the functioning of Communities That Care prevention boards in Pennsylvania. Data on board functioning were collected over three years from board member and TA providers. Results of path models indicated little overall impact of TA dosage on board functioning the subsequent year. However, on-site TA dosage did appear to influence board functioning for younger boards and for boards who were relatively better functioning. In addition, the stability of board functioning and off-site TA was moderate to strong, the stability of on-site TA dosage was low, and poor functioning sites did not receive more TA in the following year. EDITORS' STRATEGIC IMPLICATIONS: This paper is one of the first quantitative examinations of the impact of TA on community-based prevention or health promotion coalitions. The authors provide a number of implications for further study with respect to TA. Thus, it should be valuable to researchers and practitioners involved in the development and implementation of such community-based efforts.