Engaging Partners in Caring Communities

NCT06932549 | Enrolling By Invitation

• 1 other identifier: #HS2021-4674
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 320
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of the EPICC observational study is to learn about capacity to implement evidence-based health promotion programs (EBPs) in congregations that are offered semi-structured technical assistance (TA). Congregational teams will complete an implementation capacity assessment survey before the TA is offered and 10 months later, after TA has been provided for up to 10 months. Participating congregations will be a convenience sample of congregations in Davidson County, TN that serve primarily African American communities.

Conditions

Chronic Disease Prevention

Keywords

community-engaged research; health equity; health disparities; implementation science; faith-based organizations

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Engaging Partners in Caring Communities (EPICC) Survey

  The EPICC Survey was developed using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) and building on other surveys for measuring congregational readiness for health promotion. It consists of

  Congregational teams complete the EPICC Survey at baseline and again 6-10 months later.

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• My Own Health Report

  My Own Health Report will be completed when the congregation launches their health promotion program and again 6 months later.

Study Arms (1)

There will be a single cohort consisting of up to 40 congregations.

The study cohort will consist of up to 40 congregations in Davidson County, TN that that have had a physical location for at least a year, have approval from their leader, and have a tax ID will be eligible for enrollment. Each will be offered up to 10 months of at least 1 hour/month of technical assistance for implementing an evidence-based (EB) chronic disease prevention congregation-level intervention selected by the congregation from five identified by the study team. The study team identified the five EB Programs through a systematic search of federal websites, selecting those programs that address chronic diseases that disproportionately affect African Americans, that can be delivered by non-health care providers in community settings. The selected programs include materials, including facilitator guidance, that are downloadable at no charge

Behavioral: Technical assistance is designed to integrate Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change (ERIC) strategies, and Getting To Outcomes-TA.

Interventions

Technical assistance is designed to integrate Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change (ERIC) strategies, and Getting To Outcomes-TA. BEHAVIORAL

The TA is tailored to each congregation using the results of the implementation capacity survey completed by the congregation's team and materials from the EB Program selected by the congregation. The TA teams of two research staff are being trained and coached by Dr. Abe Wandersman, lead developer of Getting To Outcomes-TA (GTO-TA). TA sessions are audio-recorded and will be evaluated for fidelity to GTO-TA, and use of specific ERIC strategies.

There will be a single cohort consisting of up to 40 congregations.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Selected congregations are all in Davidson County, TN and self-identify as serving African Americans. The proportion of African Americans considered to be members of the congregation may fluctuate over time and will be estimated by church leaders. Some EB programs are designed to serve families and so there may be individuals participating in EB programs who are minors; however, no data will be obtained from minors.

You may not qualify if:

• Individuals who are not enrolled in a health promotion program implemented in an EPICC congregation

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Tennessee State University: lead
• National Institutes of Health (NIH): collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Tennessee State University

Nashville, Tennessee, 37209, United States

Location

Related Links

• The EPICC website is an evolving source of information about the project, and will eventually include information from participating congregations that they ask to have shared.

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: ECOLOGIC OR COMMUNITY
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 10, 2025
• First Posted: April 17, 2025
• Study Start: June 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: April 1, 2026
• Study Completion: April 1, 2026
• Last Updated: April 17, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-04

Locations

US (1)