Hargreaves MB, Coffee‐Borden B, Verbitsky‐Savitz N. Advancing the Measurement of Collective Community Capacity and the Evaluation of Community Capacity‐Building Models. New Directions for Evaluation. 2020;2020(165):123-138. doi:10.1002/ev.20394
This publication highlights work completed over the last 6 years to address measurement challenges and advance the evaluation of collective community capacity-building initiatives. This work began with the creation of the ARC3 Survey in Washington State, designed to address gaps in evaluating community-based networks. The survey was built around an evidence-based framework consisting of ten domains of community capacity, informed by five widely used models: prevention coalitions, community collaborations, comprehensive community initiatives, the community capacity development model, and the collective impact model. The ARC3 Survey was pilot-tested in three Washington communities which were chosen for their similarities to the sites being studied. The final survey included ten key domains (e.g., leadership, equity, communication, partnerships, shared goals) and one network-specific domain. Results showed that sites scored highest in communication, equity, partnerships, shared goals, and problem-solving. In 2017, the ARC3 Survey’s applicability was tested further through Pop Change, an initiative supporting place-based efforts to improve population-level outcomes. Pop Change conducted case studies to examine how backbone organizations and similar entities support these initiatives. As a result of this work, the ARC3 tools have been shown to be valid and reliable for measuring various aspects of community capacity. Testing of a new tool, the C3 Survey, is ongoing to evaluate its usefulness across different models and settings. These efforts aim to provide practical, evidence-based tools that support effective, community-driven change.