“This toolkit is based on the lessons learned from the national and community partners involved in the Genetics Education Needs Evaluation (GENE) Project. The GENE Project was a 5-year program funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration to investigate the genetics education needs of underserved, minority communities. March of Dimes and its national partners, Genetic Alliance and Family Voices, worked with two communities to determine their cultural and language needs in the area of genetics education and develop action plans to address those needs. This toolkit provides the reader with some insight into how these community partnerships were developed. Creating and sustaining a partnership requires patience, an understanding and appreciation of group process, and cultural sensitivity.

This toolkit is designed to give you the background and tools you may need to engage a community in a partnership. You will learn how to work with community members to achieve a shared goal.

This toolkit is written for newcomers and seasoned organizers, community-based groups, public and private foundations, as well as local, state, and federal government agencies. Although it is written for those interested in public health and human services, this toolkit can still be useful to individuals and groups addressing other community issues.”