In this final learning circle, participants review and reflect on what they learned. They can decide which learning circle was most impactful for them and why. Then, they review all the actions they suggested and tried at the end of each learning circle.
After developing a community of practice, it becomes the decision of the community of practice decide how to move forward. This could include celebrating and sharing what has already be learned and accomplished, selecting a key area or priority on which to focus efforts, or repeating the PC CARES process with different folks attending.
Planning for next steps is informed by previous success in the community—what made them work well?—and what we know about how to sustain positive change after a formal program goes away.
COMMUNITY CHANGE WORKS BEST WHEN:
People work together in a group
People have ways to stay connected while working on change
Local organizations build the needed time, training, and duties into jobs
Community leaders learn about & support the work
Works best if participants appreciate leadership & process
Have on-going reminders helps people stay involved
People see small successes
People can take actions that fit into daily life
COMMUNITIES MUST HAVE:
Knowledge - Knows what can be done for prevention/wellness.
Capacity - Can do prevention/wellness.
Attitude - Believes it is important.
Perceived Effectiveness - Thinks it works.
Relationships - People support the work.
Local champions - to lead the effort
Organization support to host (For example, paid time to attend; food at meetings; reports to leadership)
Policies to support the continued effort
Partnerships among community organizations to support efforts
Sources:
Gruen, R. L., Elliott, J. H., Nolan, M. L., Lawton, P. D., Parkhill, A., McLaren, C. J., & Lavis, J. N. (2008). Sustainability science: an integrated approach for health-programme planning. The Lancet, 372, 9649, 1579-1589.
St. Leger, L. (2005). Questioning sustainability in health promotion projects and programs. Health Promotion International, 20, 4, 317-319.
Stirman, S. W., Kimberly, J., Cook, N., Calloway, A., Castro, F., & Charns, M. (2012). The sustainability of new programs and innovations: a review of the empirical literature and recommendations for future research. Implementation Science, 7, 1, 17.
Swerissen, H., & Crisp, B. R. (2004). The sustainability of health promotion interventions for different levels of social organization. Health Promotion International, 19, 1, 123-130.
Whelan, J., Love, P., Pettman, T., Doyle, J., Booth, S., Smith, E., & Waters, E. (2014). Cochrane update: predicting sustainability of intervention effects in public health evidence: identifying key elements to provide guidance. Journal of Public Health, 36, 2, 347-351.
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