The 2020/2021 survey of Community Response Networks (CRNs) yielded results indicating the effectiveness of these networks continues to trend positively, demonstrating that the work of the CRNs is making a difference in raising the awareness of adult abuse, neglect, and self-neglect in communities across the province. We shared the initial results in our April 2021 edition of E-Connector.
The annual evaluation process is part of a larger, ongoing longitudinal study that examines the structure of community-based networks as a means to prevent adult abuse, neglect, and self-neglect. The first survey was conducted in 2012 to establish benchmarks for subsequent evaluations and surveys, which have been conducted each year since then.
The survey focused on five areas:
- Community attitudes
- CRN working styles
- Participation levels
- Relationships and networks
- Impact seen as a result of the CRN.
This year’s survey also saw the inclusion of additional questions to assess CRN responses to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Results of the 2020/2021 Evaluation Cycle
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What the Data is Telling Us
Ben Kadel of Emotus Operandi and BC CRN’s survey administrator says: “The results of the evaluation continue to be extremely encouraging. Nearly all indicators are in positive territory and continue to move in positive directions over the course of the study period.
“Perhaps the most important finding is the relatively high percentage of respondents who reported seeing or hearing about positive impacts on the community as a result of the work of the CRNs. In addition, the descriptions of the kinds of impact seen demonstrated a deepening and broadening of impact from internal to community-focused impacts.
Additionally, evidence of strong and growing professional networks can be seen as a sign of the growing infrastructure of the social network-based approach to abuse prevention and response.”
View the detailed evaluation report for the 2020/2021 evaluation cycle.
View BC CRN’s 2020/2021 annual report on how the organization did and what we accomplished.
Some Ways Our CRNs Reach Out to the Community
The pandemic demonstrated CRNs were able to replan and refocus quickly to continue acting quickly, ensuring that the community’s most vulnerable were not forgotten.
Despite the uncertainty of changing, and challenging, public health orders, CRNs found creative and safe ways to continue with outreach.
Here are some of the ways they did it:
- Online programs to continue educating the community (and residents across the country) on topics such as financial and media literacy. Learn more.
- Safe collaboration between CRNs and community partners to coordinate efforts to address food insecurities and isolation among the community’s most vulnerable during shut-downs. Learn more.
- Online collaboration and sharing between CRNs on the impacts of the pandemic on LGBTQ2S+ seniors and marginalized communities to dive deeper into underlying societal issues. Read more.
- Intergenerational arts and craft projects that safely brought families and seniors together. Read more.
- Pet food donation programs to reach the community’s homeless and displaced and provide additional information on local supports available. Learn more.
Read more stories on how our CRNs are responding to the pandemic and demonstrating leadership in their communities.
How are you connecting with your community during the pandemic? What surprised you?
Be sure to subscribe to E-Connector by emailing us at info@bccrns.ca and follow us on Facebook and Twitter to receive the latest information on what our CRNs are up to in their communities.
Written by: Debbie Chow, Links Communication Solutions. Follow Debbie on LinkedIn: @debbiechowabc
