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A driver diagram is a visual display of a theory of what “drives,” or contributes to, the achievement of a
project aim. It shows the relationship between the overall aim of the project, the primary drivers that
contribute directly to achieving the aim, the secondary drivers that are components of the primary
drivers, and a set of ideas for activating the drivers.
As also noted earlier, the research behind the driver diagrams was focused on community-based
interventions more so than purely clinical or legal approaches. Keeping this community focus in mind,
note that in each of the driver diagrams, the primary drivers include identifying at-risk populations,
optimizing community outreach and education, and connecting at-risk individuals to community
supports.
2.3 A ‘First Up Initiative’ Approach
A common challenge in community action planning is choosing from among many deserving community
intervention strategies while also recognizing constraints on resources and bandwidth of community partner
organizations. This challenge was certainly present for the Action Planning Groups as they considered choices for
what could work across four distinctive topic areas and six localities. In this scenario it is difficult to prioritize based
on the health merits of different initiatives, because they all have merit to some degree. From a practical
perspective, it is also important to consider what is feasible in the short-term, mid-term, and long-term horizon.
One way to break through this dilemma and get started on community action is to consider the possibilities for ‘first
up initiatives.’ As a working definition:
A ‘first-up initiative' is one that addresses a real community need and is probably feasible to
implement within a one-to-three-year timeframe. In using the phrase ‘first-up’, we are not implying
that other initiatives are not important or should not be implemented. We are acknowledging that
not every possible initiative can be resourced and implemented all at once, and it can be helpful to
start with a focused set of initiatives that are relevant and feasible. Additional initiatives such as
new services or program expansions can be implemented over time.
2.4 First-Up Strategy: Collaborative Action through Community Collaboration Hubs
Given the considerations for making choices outlined in Section 2.1, and Note that the strategies outlined in
also considering the possibilities for a ‘first up initiative’ as outlined in Exhibit 2 would be new for firearm
section 2.2, the Action Planning Groups explored the possibilities for an violence, heart disease, and infant
approach that would focus on building community connections for mortality. The strategies for
collaborative action. This strategy is outlined in Exhibit 2 on the following substance use would involve
page, and further explained below. continuation of the Project LEAD
strategies that are already
The core strategy would be collaborative action through community underway.
collaboration hubs. The focus areas would include firearm violence,
heart disease, infant mortality, and substance use.
The Year 1 objectives would include focusing on a ‘first-up’ initiative for collaborative community action, and supporting this
initiative with linkages, education, awareness, and data.
The first-up initiatives would focus on identifying at-risk populations, providing community outreach and education,
and connecting at-risk populations to health care and community supports.
Linkages would be created and facilitated through one or more community collaboration hubs. These would be
virtual hubs that would use collaboration software to facilitate the work of bringing people together for collaborative
learning and action. The community collaboration hub for substance use already exists with Project LEAD, Letting
form follow function, the community collaboration hubs for firearm safety, heart disease, and infant mortality
could be based separately or combined depending on community interest and capacity.
Education would be focused on educating, engaging, and equipping community-based organizations
(CBOs) and public agency partners with information, data, and tools for the first-up initiative.
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