Stages of Community Readiness
Like individuals, communities move through different stages of readiness to adopt a change. Understanding where your tribe is now can help you move your community to the next stage and beyond. Before you begin planning an activity, consider your community readiness level. Your efforts will make more of an impact when matched to your tribe’s readiness!
Downloadable Infographic
Stages of Readiness
No Awareness
Community members don’t recognize the issue as a problem. Or it may not really be an issue.
Denial/Resistance
Some community members recognize it as a concern. But there’s little recognition that it’s happening locally.
Vague Awareness
Most community members feel there’s a local concern. But there’s no immediate motivation to do anything about it.
Pre-Planning
Community members recognize something must be done. There may even be a group addressing it. But efforts aren’t focused or detailed.
Preparation
Some active community leaders start to plan in earnest. The community modestly supports their efforts.
Initiation
There is enough information to justify efforts. Activities are underway.
Stabilization
Administrators or community decision-makers support activities. Staff begin to train and get experience.
Confirmation/ Expansion
Efforts are in place. Members feel comfortable using services, and they support expansions. Local data are regularly obtained.
Community Ownership
Detailed and sophisticated knowledge exists about prevalence, causes, and consequences. Effective evaluation guides new directions.
Click on the next section to find out what might affect your community’s readiness for change.