Building a program based on research, field experience and evidence based behavior

change models/theories

Susan BergsonMichael Robinson

Jack Carrel

Based on Presentation by: B.D. Hayes, DSW, MPH, MSW- Morehouse School of Medicine

Learning Objectives

• To provide a model for developing your proposal ideas based on research, field experience and evidence based behavior change models/theories

• To review winning grant writing tips• To identify strategies for mutually beneficial

partnering/collaborations• To increase funding for a variety of projects

A successful grant proposal is one that is well-prepared, thoughtfully planned and concisely packaged…………….………….CFDA

Research and Write first

Fund Second

The Three Essential Laws of Successful Proposal Development

and Grant Writing

• Do your homework• Follow instructions• Use Common Sense

General Tips and Comments

• Take sufficient time to prepare a good abstract, LOI, or a concept paper

• Avoid the use of jargon and acronyms• Always include a budget and budget justification• Be careful when/where you cut and paste:

assure uniformity of font size and type• ALWAYS use a reader and get editorial

assistance

Traits of a Successful Grant Getter

• Research skills• Salesmanship skills• Communication

skills• Ingenuity skills• Administrative skills• Human relations

• Persistence, dedication, patience

• Ability to work hard

• Political awareness and action

• Integrity

Step 1: Research • Before writing up a proposal, look at the research or the

evidence base– PubMed– Google Scholar

• Make sure to reference research (cite articles) in your background or needs statement

• Use what already exists:– Statewide Coordinated Statement of Need and

Comprehensive Plan– HIV/AIDS Quarterly and Annual Reports

– New report from the Southern AIDS Coalition

Step 2: Field Experience• What makes you think that it will work in the context in

which you work and the population you will focus on? • Conduct focus groups and/or key informant interviews

to understand why and how intervention will work• If changes to intervention need to be made to fit your

population of interest, what are they? • Check out article- Cultural adaptation in translational

research: field experiences. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15933334

Step 3: Understanding Behavior Change Theory

Global Causes of Death

31%

9%

60%

Noncommunicable diseases

Communicable diseases, maternal and

perinatal conditions, and nutritional deficiencies

Injuries

Source: WHO, World Health Report 2000—Health Systems: Improving Performance (Geneva: WHO, 2000).

Step 3: Understanding Behavior Change TheoryStep 3: Understanding Behavior Change Theory

Behavior change reduces risky behaviors

Health Promotion Means Changing Behavior at Multiple Levels

A Individual: knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, personality

B Interpersonal: family, friends, peers C Community: social networks, standards,

norms D Institutional: rules, policies, informal

structuresE Public Policy: local policies related to

healthy practices

Source: Adapted from National Cancer Institute, Theory at a Glance: A Guide for Health Promotion (2003), available online at http://cancer.gov.

Stages of Change Model

• Changing one’s behavior is a process, not an event

• Individuals at different levels of change• Gear interventions to level of change

Source: James O. Prochaska et al., “In Search of How People Change: Application to Addictive Behaviors,” American Psychologist 47, no. 9 (1992): 1102-14.

Stages of Change Model (cont.)

Precontemplation

Action Decision

Maintenance Contemplation

Example Combating HIV/AIDS in Uganda

• Political support, multisectoral response• Decentralized behavior change campaigns• Focus on women and youth, stigma and

discrimination• Mobilization of religious leaders• Confidential voluntary counseling and testing• Social marketing of condoms• Control and prevention of STIs

Source: Edward C. Green, Rethinking AIDS Prevention: Learning from Successes in Developing Countries (Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers, 2003).

SUCCESSFUL APPLICATIONS

• Direct, concise, compelling, convincing, capable and resourceful

• Addresses a significant/important problem• Explicit goals, measurable objectives• Comprehensive but succinct background

review• Methodology fits problem• Appropriate funding mechanism

Unsuccessful Applications

• Failure to follow directions• Lack of new or original

ideas• Diffuse, superficial, or

unfocused research• Lacks clearly stated

hypothesis and rationale• Lack of an overall research

goal; uncertainty about future directions

• Lack of knowledge about relevant literature

• Questionable reasoning in research design

• Lack of demonstrated experience in selected methodology (lacks detail)

• Format issues

• Over-ambitious

Developing Your Idea(s)

• Needs Assessment– Evidence of problem– Local, county, state, national

• Capability Assessment– Organizational– People– Past and present history– Resources (funds, expertise, etc.)

Grant Writing Process

• Begins with a good idea• Review the components of a successful grant • Apply the model• Evaluate and discuss the plan• Literature review• Analysis of current research/activity in the field• Develop team

The Task You Face

• Clearly Identify the Need– Make sure the needs are those of the target

population• Define the Solution

– Use a Problem/Needs approach• Carefully Design the Project

– How a problem is defined often determines an approach to develop a solution

Basic Components• The Proposal

Summary• Introduction• Problem Statement

(or Needs Assessment)

• Project Objectives

• Project Methods or Design

• Project Evaluation

• Project Budget

• Future Funding

General Tips and Comments

• Take sufficient time to prepare a good abstract, LOI, or a concept paper

• Avoid the use of jargon and acronyms• Always include s budget and budget justification• Be careful when/where you cut and paste:

assure uniformity of font size and type• ALWAYS use a reader and get editorial

assistance

Questions?

• Read the directions!• As you are writing the LOI, please feel free to send

Michael Robinson questions: mrobinson@lphi.org• Get two other people who are not involved with the

proposal development to read your document• The Louisiana Community AIDS Partnership is

available to help with technical assistance on all of your grant applications if you need us.