We propose to adopt a measure of ‘belonging’ (and/or resilience that includes belonging), implement it in Central  Oregon, the confederate tribes of Warm Springs, and North Klamath and carry out a multi-phase research process that will include literature review, collaborative planning with community partners and the COHC workgroup, data collection and analysis, and synthesizing and sharing results. To support the repeated measurement we will write and submit proposal(s) for external funding. 

OSU researchers will provide scientific insight and leadership in the measurement of belonging/resilience. OHSU researchers will lead development of sampling design and implementation including data collection, management,  and analyses. Researchers will collaborate on research design and interpretation and synthesis of findings. Findings from the assessment are expected to guide the development of calls for proposals for intervention projects.  

To make recommendations for measurement of belonging/resilience we will build from the work that has already happened in Central Oregon and review academic literature on belonging and resilience. This will result in 2 measurement components: 1) Core measurement (e.g., survey items) used among all participants in Central Oregon, and 2) Supplementary items used and/or adapted with subgroups.  

We will engage in collaborative planning throughout the project to ensure that diverse community groups and organizations have opportunities to provide input into data collection (including adaptation of the items and ways they are administered for inclusion and cultural responsivity) and interpretation of results for our diverse Central Oregon communities. Researchers will build upon existing relationships and connections with various Central Oregon subgroups and leverage those connections, as well as COHC’s relationships, to ensure meaningful engagement with communities, including marginalized groups (e.g., Spanish-speaking, Native American, Latinx, LGBTQ+, rural).  

We will follow a mixed-methods approach to data collection, including quantitative data collection using the survey adapted to this project and qualitative data from focus groups and/or open-ended survey items. A core set of survey questions as well as tailored community questions will be pilot tested and then fielded across the catchment area.

Our approach will include probability sampling across the catchment area with oversampling for groups that make up a small proportion of the community allowing us to make inferences about the larger population. Respondents aged 5+ throughout the catchment area will be recruited. Recruitment strategies will include emails sent by our community partners, word-of-mouth, social media and print materials. 

We will involve communities in collaborative partnerships throughout the stages of this project. We will start with  our known partners and use “snowball” soliciting to find additional partners.  

The activities in which partnerships involvement is pertinent are: