A multistakeholder evaluation of Lazos Hispanos: An application of a community‐based participatory research conceptual model

• Published in: Journal of community psychology Vol. 48; no. 2; pp. 464 - 481
• Main Authors: Orpinas, Pamela, Matthew, Rebecca A., Bermúdez, J. Maria, Alvarez‐Hernandez, Luis R., Calva, Alejandra
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.03.2020
• Subjects: Action research; Community; Community research; community‐based participatory research (CBPR); Evaluation; Health services; healthcare providers; Latinos; Latinx; Participatory research; promotoras; service providers; healthcare providers; community-based participatory research (CBPR); Latinx; Latinos; service providers; promotoras
• ISSN: 0090-4392; 1520-6629
• DOI: 10.1002/jcop.22274

The goal of Lazos Hispanos is to enhance the health and well‐being of the Latinx community through promotoras, who connect community members with service providers for multiple health and social needs. A community‐based participatory research conceptual model framed the multimethod evaluation of promotoras, service providers, and community participants at baseline and at the 1‐year follow up. The promotoras increased their self‐efficacy and knowledge, felt a strong sense of commitment to the community, viewed themselves as a bridge between participants and providers, and felt empowered by their new role. Service providers valued the promotoras as their ambassadors in the community and Lazos Hispanos as central to connecting service providers, promotoras, and community members; they noted that this collaboration increased their accountability with the Latinx community. This multistakeholder evaluation highlights the depth of positive changes achieved during the first year and the challenges of a community‐embedded project and the benefits and possibilities of calling upon theoretically informed evaluation models.