Focus Group Phase

Focus groups were held with constituents of the Community Based Organizations. The focus group participants were African Americans and Latinos broadly representative in age and socio-economic status. The focus group members developed a "menu" of issues of concern relating to the development and application of genetics knowledge and technology. The Community Advisory Board reviewed all educational materials used at the start of the focus groups and those used in dialogue sessions.

Community Dialogue Phase

During this phase, twelve dialogue groups of 10-20 participants each met over a period of months for six times. CBOs recruited participants and hosted the dialogue sessions, and the Community Advisory Board assisted in the selection of dialogue facilitators.

The objectives of this phase were to: 1) open up community discussion about those issues identified in the focus groups; and 2) allow community members to transform their moral and ethical concerns into a consensus on general values and desirable policies pertaining to the issues discussed. Participants were educated about the genetic concepts and participated in dialogues about the topics chosen by the focus group participants.

Reports on the key concerns, and recommendations of each group were reviewed and approved by each group for accurate representation, and quotations preserve the authentic voice of participants.

Policy Phase

After completion of all community-based dialogues, the project team, with members of the Community Advisory Board, researched and wrote position papers on the seven topics that were of greatest concern to the great majority of the dialogue groups. They then planned and held briefings for legislators and their staff in Michigan and Washington, D.C.

Dissemination Phase

In addition to the dissemination efforts at the state and nation legislative levels, outcomes of the renewal project, including final policy recommendations and the evaluation reports, are being publicly disseminated through the peer-reviewed literature as well as presented at key conferences and meetings. The project aims to reach policy-makers, health care providers and organizations, and consumers.

 

 

 

 

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 Last updated 02/22/02
Copyright © 2002 Communities of Color & Genetics Policy Project