Non-English Speaking Education and Outreach: Partnering with Community

Based Organizations for Behavior Change

Charles WuPublic Health-Seattle & King CountyLocal Hazardous Waste Management

Program in King County

King County LHWMP

Program MissionTo 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

Local health

depts.

CBOs, community groups

Community residents

Gov’t and

Institutions

Residents

Community based Orgs and Groups

Health Depts.

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

Facilitates creation of a partnership

Build both parties’ capacity

Two-way exchange of information, resources and ideas

A Specific Community Grant: Community-Directed

Partnership

• Involving the community at the outset

• Promoted to over 60 community-based groups

• Technical assistance in applying for grant

The Community Partner

SOAR focuses on:

• Impacting families from underserved, disconnected communities

• Building community capacity

• Connecting communities to multiple and complex support systems.

SOAR is a community coalition working together to promote the healthy

development of children, youth, and

families in King County.

Community Engagement Process

PROJECT PROMOTI

ON

Gathered input from community leaders

COMMUNITY CONVERSATI

ONS

Asked 5 ethnic groups their preferences

ACTI

NG ON WHAT WE HEARD

Created a plan based on their preferences

AC

TIN

G O

N

WH

AT W

E

HEA

RD

AC

TIN

G O

N

WH

AT W

E

HEA

RDVetting the plan and getting consensus

The community implements the plan

The Community Voted

5 ethnic groups

10 community conversations

80+ participants

4 environmental health topics

100% provided input on the direction of the

project

2013summary

Community Conversations

The results from 2013

Service Delivery:WHAT WE WANT!

“Opening Doors into

Communities”

Another Example: The Volunteer Training Network

The Promotora Model

Promotora

Same culture

Trusted

Same language

Community

memberLay

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

• 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

Field Logistics

Tools for the Trainer

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:

• 11” x 17” posters • “Touch” Box • 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:

Adaptive Management Learning as we go, adapting as needed Still learning…failing forward…don’t be afraid of

making mistakes

Partnerships requires careful and thoughtful relationship building and maintenance But when done right, partnerships create sense of

ownership, buy-in, and commitment

Next Steps: Smaller grants, but reaching more nonprofits

Formal evaluation plan

For more information:

Charles Wu, REHS, MBACharles.Wu@kingcounty.gov

(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