Building capacity to create community change (BC⁴): A model to support successful program planning and implementation

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Community Psychology
• Organizational Development

Background:

• Community-based interventions (CBIs) are vital for addressing health issues but require significant organizational capacity for effective implementation.
• While organizational capacity building is recognized, specific strategies for prevention-focused and mental health CBIs remain underexplored.
• This study addresses the need for understanding capacity-building processes in mental health initiatives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a capacity-building model for organizations implementing community-based interventions.
• To identify key domains and factors crucial for enhancing organizational capacity in mental health initiatives.
• To inform strategies for effective implementation and community change.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal process evaluation of a national initiative promoting mental health and wellbeing.
• Development of the "Building Capacity to Create Community Change" model.
• Analysis of factors contributing to organizational capacity and implementation progress.

Main Results:

• The study identified five critical domains for capacity building: Administrative Support, Leadership, Vision and Mission, Partnership Development, and Community Engagement.
• Strength in these domains was directly linked to improved organizational capacity.
• Enhanced capacity facilitated greater implementation progress and impact on participants' lives.

Conclusions:

• The "Building Capacity to Create Community Change" model provides a framework for strengthening organizations implementing CBIs.
• Focusing on the five identified domains can enhance an organization's ability to achieve community-level change.
• This model is particularly relevant for prevention-focused mental health initiatives.