Community Readiness: Compatibility of Theory, Policy and Practice

Lewis V¹*, Jones S² and Ruck E³*

1. Australian Institute for Primary Care, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
2. Centre for Adolescent Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
3. Ovens and King Community Health Centre, Wangaratta, Victoria, Australia

The theory of community readiness has grown from two conceptual frameworks, those of ‘Psychological Readiness’ and ‘Community Development’. The ‘Community Readiness Interview’ (CRI) developed by the Tri-Ethnic Center for Prevention Research at the University of Colorado, USA, assesses the characteristics of a community, its population, community leaders and prevention service systems that can influence the success of prevention or change strategies.

Many funding bodies (both government and non-government) have an interest in the concept of community capacity, hypothesising that there is greater likelihood of successful outcomes (including sustainability of positive systemic change) for projects implemented in communities with greater capacity or “readiness”. The National Suicide Prevention Strategy Community Initiatives Programs in Victoria, Australia offer an example of the strategic application of the CRI within National government objectives. The CRI has provided a practical framework for selecting activities appropriate to a community’s level of readiness, and for reviewing the appropriateness of planned activities, including making strategic adaptations in light of evidence provided. The CRI has also been used as a tool for monitoring change in readiness, and through this evaluating the impacts of funded activities.

This paper draws together the theory, policy and practice implications of using a “Community Readiness Interview” and argues that it provides a strong framework for understanding, monitoring and developing community capacity that is consistent with needs across academic, political, and practical domains.

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