4. Project implementation and structure
The project consisted of four main phases which overlapped:
Phase 1. Planning and set-up
Phase 2. Training implementation
Phase 3. Outreach to Hispanic women
Phase 4. Evaluation, transfer and sustainability
Project structure
The project structure is illustrated in Figure 1. The structure was set up to provide many opportunities for input from community members and service providers. An Advisory Committee gave input into the overall project direction and was used as a sounding board to explore issues. Project sub-committees were set up to deal with specific areas about which the project needed specific expertise. Committee development contributed to the goal of increasing project 'ownership' by community members and service providers beyond the four project partners. Go to Involving the community: committees for more detail.
Working as partners
Mujer Sana/Comunidad Sana is based on an integrated partnership between four different entities: a Latin American women's health group (LAZO); Centretown Community Health Centre (CCHC); independent community-based researchers Gentium Consulting; and the Community Health Research Unit of the University of Ottawa (CHRU). Our partnership model is based on full and equal participation of all partners in all aspects of the project, from decision-making to dissemination.
A consortium of these four partners developed the proposal and formally applied to the Ontario Women's Health Council partnership. This arrangement was consistent with the participatory action research framework and the project focus of building community capacity. Project funds were granted to the Centretown Community Health Centre (CCHC), who managed the finances and became the administrative home for the project. CCHC was accountable to the funder, as well as to their own Board of Directors for this project. Other partners each had their own internal policies and system of accountability.
A detailed service agreement was drawn up early during the project, to outline the roles and responsibilities of each partner in this unique and innovative arrangement.
Partner roles and responsibilities
Throughout the project's life, the roles and responsibilities of the four partners were reviewed and adjusted, responding to changing demands and priorities. Early on in the project, we developed terms of reference for the partnership and each partners' contribution to the project, set out in letters of agreement. Each of the designated staff/consulting positions was linked to a group of other participants, to ensure broad involvement and support in carrying out their tasks. For example, Project Coordinator was supported by the Project Team; the Co-investigators by the Research Committee; and the Lay Health Promoters/Participatory Researchers met weekly as a group, and often individually, with at least one of the Co-investigators, the Project Coordinator, or the Health Promoter from CCHC.
