Grant Award Agreement Overview

Grant Purpose:
To address the health disparities of African Americans in San Bernardino County by engaging in a participatory planning process that will identify, assess, and implement culturally specific strategies for the prevention and treatment of targeted chronic diseases.

Participatory Process Involves:

• Community-based interactive process
  
• Community involvement from beginning to end
  
• Cooperative, engaging community members and professionals in a joint process where both contribute equally
  
• A co-learning process for community and professionals
  
• A method of systematic investigation
  
• A method for systems development and local community capacity building
  
• Empowering process, where community can increase control over their lives by nurturing community strengths and problem-solving abilities
  
• Creating "real" action plans to bring about "real" relevant change that is "truly" beneficial to the community

Expected Outcomes of Grant:

• An inventory and assessment of current prevention and treatment services, programs and providers relative to heart disease, breast/prostate cancer, and HIV/AIDS
  
• A survey of 300 African American residents
  
• 9 focus groups
  
• An extensive review and analysis of best practices and programs
  
• Draft a comprehensive strategic plan as a result of findings
  
• Conduct 3 public forums
  
• Develop a comprehensive plan to enhance organizational provider capacity, service coordination, and preventive and treatment services based on findings
  
• Make recommendations for implementation of plan based on findings

Evaluation of the Planning Process Grant Based on:

• Commitment of AAHI members
  
• Active participation of AAHI members
  
• Knowledge improvement of AAHI members
  
• Building new networks and partnerships
  
• Improving community-level capacity for problem solving

V. Diane Woods
7/11/2003