Collaborative Community Problem Solving: A Model and Recommendations to Support Community Practice

Abstract

A comprehensive model for supporting community collaboration is proposed. The authors describe a model of community collaboration that consists of four components. First, the model is based on a community-centered approach. Second, the model consists of a formal decision making process. Third, collaboration as depicted in the model hinges on the performance of several roles related behaviors. Finally, actors in the collaborative community problem solving process comprise a system that must be skillfully managed. The potential of the approach described in this article to address limitations of current collaborative community problem solving processes as well as implications for community practice are discussed.