A Qualitative Evaluation of the Building Community Resilience Process and National Collaborative

We aimed to evaluate the implementation of the Building Community Resilience (BCR) process during its initial national pilot and explore how communities applied the framework to address the root causes of childhood and community adversity. We conducted a qualitative evaluation using semi-structured interviews with 24 BCR partners across five U.S. sites. Guided by the four components of the BCR process – shared understanding, state of readiness, cross-sector partnerships, and community engagement – interviews examined implementation strategies, challenges, and lessons learned. Transcripts were analyzed inductively through iterative coding and thematic analysis. Findings show that the BCR process strengthened cross-sector collaboration, expanded shared language around adversity, and enhanced community engagement. Partners emphasized readiness, trust-building, and centering community voice as key to sustaining resilience efforts. The BCR process provides a flexible framework for aligning systems and community priorities to address the Pair of ACEs and promote collective resilience and health equity. Policies that invest in multisector collaboration, community leadership, and structural reforms are essential for scaling resilience approaches and addressing the systemic drivers of childhood and community adversity.