Planning and Implementation of Community Readiness Assessment: Experience and Lessons Learned by a Health System

Introduction A Community Readiness Assessment (CRA) that also evaluated Collaboration Readiness and Organizational Literacy was planned and implemented as part of our health system’s effort to improve health equity through funding collaborative community interventions. A crucial step following the Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA), the CRA aimed to inform grant strategy because communities with higher readiness tend to have better intervention outcomes. Method The CRA tool detailed by Tri-Ethnic Center for Prevention Research at Colorado State University was modified. Each key informant determined the issue that should be addressed. A community where at least three informants discussed the same issue received an average CRA score. Those affiliated with relevant community organizations were also surveyed on Collaboration Readiness and Organizational Literacy. Results Seventy-two key informants from 15 communities were interviewed. Average CRA scores were calculated in 10 communities where the most common issues were “access to health care” and “behavioral health.” Most readiness fell on “vague awareness” and “preplanning.” Majority of the organizations surveyed on Collaboration Readiness and Organizational Literacy were already (a) collaborating with partners and (b) helping people, including those of diverse cultures and linguistic backgrounds and those with disabilities, find, understand and use information and services provided by their organizations. Conclusions The CRA results were used to inform grant strategy. Future considerations have been described to enhance the process.