Resumen
This study aims to address a significant knowledge gap in mental health services, namely the paucity of research on collaboration and program evaluation processes with ethnic community-based agencies. This gap hinders our understanding of this critical area and undermines efforts to reduce mental health disparities affecting ethnic minority communities. Drawing upon the authors’ extensive experiences in a multi-year state-funded project with a Korean American community-based agency, this paper offers valuable insights and reflects on practical lessons learned. It focuses on the preparation, design, and execution of community-based evaluation research as a form of social action, offering guidelines and recommendations for researchers and practitioners. The paper encompasses three key areas: 1) Collaborating with Korean-American community-based agencies: This section delves into vital considerations when forming collaborative partnerships with such agencies. It illuminates cultural nuances, effective communication strategies, and approaches to establish productive working relationships; 2) Culturally-tailored evaluation processes: This section outlines essential steps to facilitate a rigorous evaluation process tailored to the cultural context of Korean Americans. Emphasis is placed on the integration of cultural competence and sensitivity throughout the evaluation; and 3) Future directions for evaluation research with Korean American community-based agencies: This section offers practical recommendations and insights for future research endeavors in collaboration with Korean American community organizations. It will highlight approaches to strengthen research methodologies and outcomes, leading to more impactful mental health interventions. Through the dissemination of valuable information and shared experiences, this study seeks to foster collaborative partnerships between higher education institutions and ethnic community-based organizations. Furthermore, it endeavors to promote sustainable evaluation research efforts, elevate research quality, empower community-based agencies as research partners, and ultimately contribute to the reduction of mental health disparities among Korean Americans.
Palabras Clave (separar con comas)
Korean Americans, mental health disparities, research partnerships, program evaluation, social action