Honoring MLK day of service (today) mid-month of January 2024 I'm talking about CARES as a model for Community Based Participatory Research and how examining the quality of engagement can determine enlightened understanding of our experiences and improvement (learning) practices.

Many ideas are included here and if you are new to MikesMastermind.com its a good place to start!

Future project endeavors for consideration (that I'd take on) include starting up a Community Studies collective journal and Impact newsletter - just ideas (Gendenkens) I'm playing with for 2024

My take on Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is what I’ve termed as Community Action Research Engagement (CARE) add an "S" for 'science' (ref: Thomas Dolby 80's hit) is what I consider as a highly enriched experiential partnership approach to research that equitably involves, as you would expect, community members, organizational representatives, and researchers in all aspects of the research process in which all of us as partners with ease contribute our unique expertise and share in decision making and project ownership.

The aim of CARE as other research approaches share is the goal of increasing knowledge, but alas CARE goes deeper into the discovery and understanding of a given phenomenon that in whole "integrates the knowledge gained with interventions and policy and social change to improve the (lived experience or outcome) health and quality of life of community members.”* All partners must determine if there is an issue and what the action or intervention will be. The iterative process may not happen with community partners unless its explicitly part of the study design and the distinction is by itself a contemplation of the experience engaging in that world and, in the process, holistically considers all possible implications.

There are 7 factors I consider vital to CARE: 1. AMIGO = All Mutal Interest & Goal Objectives are identified (all agree on common goals & objectives) Before starting a CARE project, you need to identify the shared goals and interests of the community and the researchers. This AMIGO approach is like most research outcome goals except it exists in a ‘felt’ dimension of owning it.

AMIGO helps establish TIES formed within a common vision, it aligns expectations, and defines roles and responsibilities. We can use tools such as community asset mapping, needs assessment, and logic models to identify the strengths, needs, and resources of the community and how they relate to our core research questions.

2. Effective Deliberate Communication Messaging is key to building trust and rapport in the CARES model where I would accel in this role. Imagining my working with this new conscious collective of social (AR) scientists coming together -- 'we' will need to communicate frequently, openly, and respectfully with all community partners. We also need to listen actively, acknowledge different perspectives, and address any concerns or conflicts that may arise. We can use strategies such as regular meetings, newsletters, social media, and feedback mechanisms to facilitate communication and keep everyone informed and engaged.

I am well versed in using these methods and many more such as producing automated webinars, getting media coverage, exhibiting at trade shows, event tables, public presentations, press conferences, blogs, podcasts, etc.

3. Respect Diversity, Openness and Cultural Engagement I have long been involved in diverse communities and causes that have different values, beliefs, norms, and practices. I recognize the need to respect and will appreciate the cultural diversity of our community partners and totally avoid imposing limits, assumptions, or biases. We can use methods such as cultural humility, cultural competence, and cultural safety to learn about the culture of the community, adapt research methods and interventions, and ensure that any project is culturally appropriate and respectful.

4. Share Super-Powers and Resources Deep CARE is based on the principle of mutual benefit and reciprocity. This efforts will need to share power and resources with community partners and ensure that they have a meaningful voice and influence in the research process. Let’s also recognize and compensate (acknowledge and reward) the contributions and expertise of the community and provide enriched opportunities for idealized capacity building and empowerment. As an example, we can use approaches like my CommunityConversations.com invite to enlist participatory decision making, co-creation, and co-ownership to share power and resources, etc.

5. Disseminate and Apply Results One of the goals of Community Based Participatory Research is to produce knowledge that is useful and actionable for the community. The need to disseminate and apply the results in ways that are accessible, relevant, and respectful to our community partners is what will define CARE as a main distinction in the quality-of-service CRISP can offer to clients. We must involve them in the dissemination and application process and acknowledge their role and impact. We can use formats such as community forums, policy briefs, and action plan parties (app) among other means to disseminate and apply results with CARE.

6. Evaluate and Sustain Relationships CBPR is not a one-time event, but a long-term relationship. To make the distinction of CARE we need to evaluate and sustain the relationships that we will have built with our community partners and ensure that they are mutually beneficial and ongoingly satisfying. We also need to celebrate the achievements, learn from the challenges, and plan for the future of our CARE projects and partnerships. CRISP can use tools such as surveys, interviews, and focus groups to evaluate and sustain relationships in the process.

7. Operationally Sustain Vision and Success My CARE approach is an ongoing sustained enterprise of experiential learning and a developmental process of personal growth and an A-level professional endeavor. What I mean as seen in my role of outreach encompasses a quality of relationships that breeds involvement and consideration for the action research mission (is it written down?) and charter. Part of this exists in ongoing training, facilitation and task-oriented review of our organizational processes and management (manners in which we operate). The goal (for me) is for all of us to be exceptional in our peer reviewed work that is considered top notch.

This explaination is adapted from an A.I. LinkedIn article that was formulated which I enhanced (and got contributor points for!:)