Non-English Speaking Education and Outreach: Partnering with Community Based Organizations for Behavior Change

Charles Wu Public Health-Seattle & King County Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County

King County LHWMP

Program Mission

To protect and enhance public health and environmental quality in King County by reducing the threat posed by the production, use, storage and disposal of hazardous materials.

What does Equity mean to you?

Partnering with the Community

Community Grants Program A community participatory approach that supports the community to develop their own strategies to reduce risks and promote sustainable results.

Community Grant Goal

From hierarchical and top down approach to community participatory practice: engage, educate, partner, share resources, build capacity Gov’t and Institutions

Residents

Local health depts.

Gov’t and Institutions Health Depts.

CBOs, community groups

Community based Orgs and Groups

Community residents

Why a community grant? (as opposed to a “traditional” contract)

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Facilitates creation of a partnership

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Two-way exchange of information, resources and ideas

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Build both parties’ capacity

A Specific Community Grant: Community-Directed Partnership

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Involving the community at the outset

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Promoted to over 60 community-based groups

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Technical assistance in applying for grant

The Community Partner

SOAR is a community coalition working together to promote the healthy development of children, youth, and families in King County.

SOAR focuses on: • Impacting families from

underserved, disconnected communities

• Building community capacity • Connecting communities to multiple and complex support systems.

Community Engagement Process

Gathered input from community leaders Asked 5 ethnic groups their preferences Vetting the plan and getting consensus Created a plan based on their preferences The community implements the plan

The Community Voted

5 ethnic groups 2013 summary 10 community conversations 4 environmental health topics 80+ participants 100% provided input on the direction of the project

Community Conversations

The results from 2013

Service Delivery: WHAT WE WANT!

Another Example:

The Volunteer Training Network “Opening Doors into Communities”

The Promotora Model Trusted Same language Community member Same culture Promotora

Lay person

Based on the Promotora Model -- a Public Health community engagement model.

Developed for outreach into Hispanic communities. Promotora means “one who promotes”

Capacity Building:

Preparing and Supporting the Volunteer Trainers Train Support

“LHWMP College”

• • • • • LHWMP staff = “Professors” Develop LHWMP curriculums Certify ‘Graduates” as Volunteer

Trainers

(includes background checks) Provide educational tools and materials Program evaluation

Field Logistics

• • • • • • Recruit and train Promotoras Host “College” trainings Help Promotoras organize their community Supply materials to Promotoras Receive input on materials and curriculums Supply food at community trainings

Tools for the Trainer

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TEACHING KITS

Maximize pictures and hands on activities, minimize words  Designed to meet the needs of visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners  Translated to multiple languages

Components of a teaching kit:

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11” x 17” posters

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“Touch” Box

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Demonstration Kit

Teaching Kits in Action!

A Measure of “Reach”: So far in 2014,

20

volunteer trainers taught

> 120

participants

Encouraging Behavior Change

• Participants receive a “Takeaway Kit” to practice what they learned • Safer Cleaning:  Baking Soda  Vinegar  Bon Ami® Scouring Powder    Murphy Oil Soap Microfiber Cloth Spray Bottle  DIY cleaning product recipe card

Behavior Change: A Measure of “Impact” 64% used the lead swab tester

Behavior change 69% changed their cleaning habits (90 days later)

What we’ve learned:

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Adaptive Management

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Learning as we go, adapting as needed

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Still learning…failing forward…don’t be afraid of making mistakes

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Partnerships requires careful and thoughtful relationship building and maintenance

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But when done right, partnerships create sense of ownership, buy in, and commitment Next Steps:

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Smaller grants, but reaching more nonprofits

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Formal evaluation plan

For more information:

Charles Wu, REHS, MBA [email protected]

(206)263-8534 Public Health-Seattle & King County, Local Hazardous Waste Management Program

All photos courtesy of www.lhwmp.org

and www.facebook.com/lhwmp