Promising
Practices that show evidence of effectiveness in improving public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting, as indicated by achievement of aims consistent with the objectives of the activities, and are suitable for adaptation by other communities.

Power-building Partnerships for Health: Lessons from Santa Barbara About Building Power to Protect Farmworker Health and Advance Health Equity

Gaydos, M., Do-Reynoso, V., Williams, M., Davalos, H., Lopez, A. J.,

Release Date:

White Paper/Brief

Organizational Change/ Development
Outreach/ Education/ Communications
Economic Stability
Social and Community Context
Tools Included
Outside U.S.
ACCESS RESOURCE
Building

Infrastructure Support

This brief describes work to partner health departments with community organizing groups, focusing on a collaboration between Santa Barbara County Public Health Department and two community organizations. These partnerships allow health departments to actively address power imbalances that may decrease community trust in health departments. The Santa Barbara Public Health Department developed an analysis of power and worked directly with grassroots organizers. To build trust, the health department undertook many actions, including sharing organizational charts, explaining decisions, facilitating personal sharing and trust exercises, spending time together, discussing structural racism, and more. During COVID-19, these partners shared information targeted towards those with various languages and literacy levels.

Resource Details

Outcomes of Interest

Partnership Building, Reduction of Health Disparities

Priority Population(s)

Hispanic, Latino, or Latinx

Setting(s) of Implementation

Geographic Area of Implementation

Implementation Period

2018-2022