Description
This study applies the Community Readiness Model and its assessment tool to determine the level of readiness for change regarding domestic violence in the eastern communities of San Diego County, California. Domestic violence is an issue that affects all populations in the United States regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, age, or socioeconomic status. Costs associated with domestic violence are estimated at over $10 billion per year, as well as an increased prevalence of mental and physical health issues compared to non-victims. The East County Domestic Violence Coalition, founded in response to an increase in the incidence of domestic violence in the region, utilized the Community Readiness Model's key informant interview to identify which of the nine levels of readiness East County ranks. An anchored rating scale is used to score interviewee responses on six dimensions that embody significant influences in a community in regards to knowledge, attitude, and resources. Once a score is computed for each of the six dimensions, those scores are then averaged to determine an overall readiness level. Readiness scores are useful to researchers and program planners as baseline measures, and can be used to determine which programs or activities are most appropriate based on a community's attitudes and perceptions. Nine key informant interviews were completed and analyzed according to procedures outlined in the handbook entitled Community Readiness: A Handbook for Successful Change, the results of which place East County in the Preplanning stage. This level of readiness indicates that the residents of East County understand that domestic violence is an issue in their community but have not made efforts to correct the problem. East County's next steps should include: working to make the six dimension scores comparable, building Coalition membership, and creating trust between community members and leaders. Continued use of the Community Readiness Model's key informant assessment tool will provide East County with the measurement by which to track their progress.
