165 Colorado Immersion Training: Ten years of lessons learned and accomplishments

Abstract

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: The Colorado Immersion Training in Community Engagement (CIT) provides experiential training in community-based participatory research (CBPR). We summarized evaluations from the first ten years on program outcomes and lessons learned to inform future programming and the field of community research. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: CIT is a six-month program that includes didactic sessions, group readings and reflections and a one week immersion experience in a Colorado community experiencing health disparities. The Evaluation Center - University of Colorado Denver provides external evaluation services to the Colorado Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CCTSI). Evaluators used three primary methods to collect data to evaluate the program; Document review, interviews, and surveys. Evaluation data were analyzed using the framework of CBPR Principles and the CBPR conceptual logic model to understand potential shifts in researchers’ thinking and actions, as well as to identify the potential for longer-term impact. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: As of 2020, CIT trained 122 researchers. 25 CIT alumni went on to receive 33 CCTSI Pilot Grants. Out of these 33 grants, an additional $8,723,000 of external grant funding was awarded to continue projects. Community Research Liaisons are a crucial component of the program through their efforts to bridge academic researchers and communities. Survey results indicated that community partners reported high levels of satisfactions with the program and shared stories about the impact they have seen in their community. Common challenges for researchers remain 1) protected time and institutional value and, 2) funding opportunities. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: CIT has grown CBPR researchers. Similar programs should consider contributing factors: establishing institutional value and funding for CBPR initiatives with protected time for developing and maintaining community relationships. CIT offers a crucial connection between academia and community.