Unexpected capacity-building experiences of multicultural, multilingual participants in a public health initiative

This study of a levy-voter funded public health initiative program (1) identifies capacity-building concerns, (2) summarizes those concerns at the community-based organization (CBO) level, and (3) documents the desired CBO capacity-building outcome.

Nineteen participants from nine CBOs were included, representing 95% of participants (19/20) and 90% of CBOs (9/10) from the initiative's program population.

Interviews were conducted. A focus group validated data. Demographic surveys were completed.

Data were analyzed using demographic and inductive content analyses. Fifteen capacity-building unexpected concerns were identified. Participants from eight out of nine (88.8%) CBOs shared at least ten concerns. Seven CBO capacity-building outcomes were identified.

Capacity-building providers helped participants mitigate the Initiative's capacity-building testing of the National Implementation Research Network (NIRN) model. Participants' NIRN processes were Western and mainstream. Participants wanted community-designed processes and the funder to understand CBO clients' backgrounds, cultures, and languages. The contract money did not match the needed capacity-building processes, time, and workload.

The funder's pre-selected the NIRN Western majority approach did not fit. Participants wanted to lead. Capacity-building only for home-based program development was less desired. Social justice leadership could have made a difference.