Fig 1.
Community coalition action theory operationalized for GATHER.
Fig 2.
Timeline for GATHER coalition formation and implementation.
Action Planning & Strategy Selection: Include SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-based) annual objectives, tasks, timelines, and persons responsible for completing each task. Based on examples of best practices in the US and elsewhere for creating policy change in each type of setting. Steps for policy change include documenting local problems (e.g., observations, key informant interviews), formulating policies (e.g., developing/sharing model policies for different sectors), building awareness (e.g., creating promotional materials, holding awareness and earned media events, developing press releases to media, using social media), and persuading decision-makers (e.g., meeting with decision-makers, encouraging/supporting surveys to assess support for policy change, finding/sharing personal stories, making health/cost savings arguments). Maintain sensitivity to the four step policy-making process (i.e., formulation, enactment, implementation, maintenance).
Table 1.
Description of coalition membership at T1 (early implementation), coalition member survey.
Table 2.
Coalition functioning, intermediate outcomes and influence of COVID-19, overall and by coalition, coalition member survey.
Table 3.
Common coalition activities and perceived effectiveness, coalition member survey.
Table 4.
Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations among coalition factors, member engagement and collaborative synergy.
Table 5.
Correlations among member engagement, collaborative synergy and intermediate coalition outcomes, end of implementation (T2).