Understanding community- and system-capacity change over time: A close look at changing social capital in Evidence2Success communities

Abstract

Evidence in majority White and low-population areas suggest that community prevention systems can create social capital that is needed to support high-quality implementation and sustainability of evidence-based programs. This study expands prior work by asking the question: How does community social capital change during the implementation of a community prevention system in low-income, highly populated communities of color? Data were collected from Community Board members and Key Leaders in five communities. Linear mixed effect models analyzed data on reports of social capital over time, first as reported by Community Board members then by Key Leaders. Community Board members reported social capital improved significantly over time during the implementation of the Evidence2Success framework. Key Leader reports did not change significantly over time. These findings suggest that community prevention systems implemented in historically marginalized communities may help communities build social capital that is likely to support the dissemination and sustainability of evidence-based programs.