Community Partner Council

ABOUT THE COMMUNITY PARTNER COUNCIL

The primary goal of the Community Partner Council (CPC) is to build collaborative relationships between the academic health center and community in order to develop community-responsive approaches to health promotion and care. The CPC will include representatives from organizations in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky serving diverse populations and from the Academic Health Center (AHC); University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, and the Veteran’s Administration Hospital -VA). Although the CPC will target communities that are largely underserved, including Appalachian, African-American and Hispanic neighborhoods, the findings and recommendations of the CPC will also apply to other geographic areas and populations.

The CPC will work on educational, research and clinical improvement initiatives that foster bi-directional relationships between neighborhoods, researchers and clinicians. It’s expected that these efforts will result in service and research projects that address community health issues and increase participation in prevention and intervention programs. The ultimate goal of CPC and CCTST efforts (see page 2 for more information about the CCTST) is to improve health outcomes.

GOALS & OBJECTIVES

To build capacity among community organizations, service providers and researchers to develop/sustain effective partnerships and conduct research in community settings.

Identify neighborhood health needs and concerns.
Learn about research methods, standards and requirements.
Recommend strategies to maximize meaningful participation of community organizations, area residents, health providers and researchers in all phases of the research process

To promote research and intervention studies in community settings that maximize community involvement and positively impact health outcomes for neighborhood residents.

Identify challenges to conducting collaborative research in community settings and recommended strategies to address these challenges.
Recommend standards/guidelines to the city-wide IRB for reviewing research/intervention studies that will be conducted in community settings.
Set priorities and guidelines for the review of pilot grant funds intended to foster community-driven initiatives.
Identify opportunities to create new partnerships beyond the initial targeted neighborhoods and populations.

TARGET NEIGHBORHOODS FOR CPC/COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIE

The goal of the CPC is to engage neighborhoods that are being served by AHC institutions, including neighborhoods in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, especially communities with health disparities. The CPC seeks opportunities to create partnerships with communities, neighborhoods, and social service agencies on health initiatives.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF CPC MEMBERSHIP

Members are expected to serve on at least one committee or subcommittee that supports the goals of the CPC. CPC subcommittees may include a Grants Review subcommittee, Community Training subcommittee, etc. Members may also be asked to enhance community, health care provider and medical center relationships; spread the word about CPC initiatives to others; and/or share their knowledge of community research projects and/or interventions in the target neighborhoods.