Community Readiness
Brief Description of topic: A qualitative measurement instrument to assess a community’s readiness to take action on a defined issue.
Community Readiness Model Adapted for the Colorado SPF SIG from: Plested, B.A., Edwards, R.W., & Jumper-Thurman, P. (2005, May). Community Readiness: A handbook for successful change. Fort Collins, CO: Tri-Ethnic Center for Prevention Research. |
Community
Readiness
Toolkit
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Community
Readiness
Score Sheet
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Community Readiness Assessment
Dimensions of Readiness: Dimensions of readiness are key factors that influence your community’s preparedness to take action on an issue. The dimensions identified and measured in the Community Readiness Model are very comprehensive in nature. They are an excellent tool for diagnosing your community’s needs and for developing strategies that meet those needs.
- Community Efforts: To what extent are there efforts and programs that address this issue?
- Community Knowledge of the Efforts: To what extent do community members know about local efforts and their effectiveness, and are the efforts accessible to all segments of the community?
- Leadership: To what extent are appointed leaders and influential community members supportive of the issue?
- Community Climate: What is the prevailing attitude of the community toward this issue? Is it one of helplessness or one of responsibility and empowerment?
- Community Knowledge about the Issue: To what extent do community members know about the causes of the problem, consequences, and how it impacts your community?
- Resources Related to the Issue: To what extent are local resources – people, time, money, space, etc. – available to support efforts?
- Community-Related Data: To what extent is there valid, specific, relevant data to demonstrate the causes and consequences of this issue?
Stages of Community Readiness:
- No Awareness: Issue is not generally recognized by the community or leaders as a problem (or it may truly not be an issue).
- Denial / Resistance: At least some community members recognize that it is a concern, but there is little recognition that it might be occurring locally.
- Vague Awareness: Most feel that there is a local concern, but there is no immediate motivation to do anything about it.
- Preplanning: There is clear recognition that something must be done, and there may even be a group addressing it. However, efforts are not focused or detailed.
- Preparation: Active leaders begin planning in earnest. Community offers modest support of efforts.
- Initiation: Enough information is available to justify efforts. Activities are underway.
- Stabilization: Activities are supported by administrators or community decision makers. Staff are trained and experienced.
- Confirmation/ Expansion: Efforts are in place. Community members feel comfortable using services, and they support expansions. Local data are regularly obtained.
- High Level of Community Ownership: Detailed and sophisticated knowledge exists about prevalence, causes, and consequences. Effective evaluation guides new directions. Model is applied to other issues.
Before beginning a community readiness assessment, please consult your RPC. Contact Your RPC
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