Between March and June 2024, CPR3 grant recipients participated in a series of Works-In-Progress Sessions (WIPS). These sessions served as dynamic "show and help" workshops, offering participants targeted feedback on recruitment, methods, preliminary findings and dissemination strategies. With a focus on collaboration and cross-learning, each session featured presentations from two grant recipient teams and fostered robust discussions and new partnerships.
Participants from First 5 Fresno, United Way Merced, California Black Health Network, and 3rd Street Youth Center & Clinic represented sectors such as early child education, community health services, youth empowerment and development, health equity and perinatal wellness. California state agencies represented included Health and Human Services, the Department of Public Health, the Department of Social Services and the Children & Youth Behavioral Health Initiative.
In total, 15 WIPS drew over 300 participants and engaged more than 50 policy and community discussants. Participants praised the sessions for their role in refining research approaches and fostering community engagement:
We received excellent feedback on how to present study findings in a more compelling way.
WIPS Participant
It was nice to engage with the community and hear concerns that are important to them and their perspectives on how to improve issues we are facing.
WIPS Participant
The WIPS brought together diverse perspectives throughout the research process, allowing researchers to receive targeted feedback and foster new collaborations and knowledge sharing.