A powerful outcome from this partnership was the resulting empowerment of the MSC and the CSIF to work collaboratively. Both organizations have increased their ability to jointly identify the main community health issues and needs, conduct joint research and coalition planning and evaluation, and collaborate to identify community and grant resources for addressing research question developed by the coalition members. In addition, the academic faculty is now a better communicator, is more culturally sensitive, and has an increased focus on addressing health disparities through research in partnership with the community. The CSIF partners as well have gained knowledge and skills in CBPR for the development and assessment of an academic-community partnership.
