Let's Take Action

Now that you have identified the community of interest, reached out to partners utilizing the community wheel and worked to authentically engage them with active listening, it is time to plan and act.  

Here are some tips as your community coalition begins to address the identified issue:
Agree on the process: Discuss the purpose of the group and set clear expectations. Define the values and what role the institutions/systems, community members and community stakeholders will play. 

• Understand everyone's interests and priorities: Identify why each partner is at the table and who they are representing, ensuring you have diverse perspectives and are including all needed voices.  
• Allocate resources for community members: This allows them to be active participants, so that community engagement is valued for its contribution to the process (e.g., offer stipends, childcare, food, interpreters).
• Balance and share power:  Work to ensure the community is an equal partner and share decision making.  It can be hard to release control of the outcome, but this is critical in the sustainability of community advocacy.   

Note: A CATCH grant would be a great option to pursue at this stage. They can be used for planning or implementation.

The Pediatrician’s role in Community Advocacy

Child Health Expertise: You are a child health expert and can share the factors that both affect and improve child health outcomes.  

Evidence-based interventions: Pediatricians are skilled at reviewing existing literature and understanding whether an identified solution is rooted in evidence and likely to improve child health. Pediatricians have skills in developing goals and SMART objectives to help organize the work of the group.  Starting small and building the work as you go can continue to motivate the group and allow for flexibility. 

Connection and funding: As a pediatrician, you have standing in the community and often have connections to systems and organizations that may play a supporting role through resources and/or funding. 

All these skills can be utilized as you work alongside other community members and organizations to identify solutions and interventions to help improve a specific child health issue.