Perspectives From Extension Staff on Building and Sustaining Community Wellness Coalitions

Background Community wellness coalitions are an important part of functioning program infrastructure and have been effective in promoting policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) change, especially when paired with technical support by a community champion or Extension staff. PSE strategies are critical to support long-lasting behavior change but can be challenging to implement. Extension is an established and equipped organization that has potential to help community overcome those challenges. The aim of this article was to identify and describe experiences of Extension staff working as community coaches. Methods A mixed-methods design to assess the impact of Extension staff working with Community Champions included a quantitative Extension Coaching Confidence Scorecard and an Extension Key Informant Interview. Results The total Extension Coaching Confidence score significantly increased from pre- to post-intervention (55.1 +/- 35.3 vs. 81.7 +/- 37.7, p = .03). Five facilitators and two barriers to wellness coalition development were identified by Extension staff. Discussion The results of this study indicate that the model of community coaching used was effective at addressing the foundational components of the Component Model of Infrastructure (CMI). However, comprehensive training for Extension staff in the CMI and technical assistance are needed in order to build capacity, achieve outcomes, and promote sustainability. Implications for Practice Individuals seeking to transition to PSE work should be provided with a foundation of specific, targeted training in the CMI and evidence-based technical assistance methods. Practitioners should recognize the essential role of community champions in PSE work. Completing the Extension Coaching Confidence Scorecard periodically can inform evolving training needs.