Unexpected capacity‐building experiences of multicultural, multilingual participants in a public health initiative

AimsThis study of a levy‐voter funded public health initiative program (1) identifies capacity‐building concerns, (2) summarizes those concerns at the community‐based organization (CBO) level, and (3) documents the desired CBO capacity‐building outcome.ParticipantsNineteen participants from nine CBOs were included, representing 95% of participants (19/20) and 90% of CBOs (9/10) from the initiative's program population.MethodsInterviews were conducted. A focus group validated data. Demographic surveys were completed.Methodology and AnalysisData were analyzed using demographic and inductive content analyses. Fifteen capacity‐building unexpected concerns were identified. Participants from eight out of nine (88.8%) CBOs shared at least ten concerns. Seven CBO capacity‐building outcomes were identified.ResultsCapacity‐building providers helped participants mitigate the Initiative's capacity‐building testing of the National Implementation Research Network (NIRN) model. Participants' NIRN processes were Western and mainstream. Participants wanted community‐designed processes and the funder to understand CBO clients’ backgrounds, cultures, and languages. The contract money did not match the needed capacity‐building processes, time, and workload.DiscussionThe funder's pre‐selected the NIRN Western majority approach did not fit. Participants wanted to lead. Capacity‐building only for home‐based program development was less desired. Social justice leadership could have made a difference.