A framework for systems change in communities
The ABLe Change Framework is aimed at helping organisations, communities and government entities improve the success of community change efforts and more effectively address significant social issues.
Designed by Professor Pennie Foster-Fishman and Dr Erin Watson at Michigan State University, the ABLe Change Framework draws on research about community change from around the world and provides a robust toolbox of powerful and feasible strategies that communities can use to pursue transformative change. The framework is designed to adapt to meet the needs of local communities, providing collaborations with flexibility to effectively address problems and create change.
In this seminar, Professor Foster-Fishman discussed the phases of systems change work for community projects – define, design, do and learn – with examples of tools as well as illustrates their use with case studies.
About Professor Foster-Fishman
Pennie Foster-Fishman is a professor in the Department of Psychology and a Senior Outreach Fellow in University Outreach and Engagement at Michigan State University. She received her PhD in organisational/community psychology from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Her research interests primarily emphasise systems change, particularly how organisational, inter-organisational and community and state systems can improve to better meet the needs of children, youth and families. She has investigated human service delivery reform, multiple stakeholder collaboration, comprehensive community initiatives, community organising, and resident empowerment as vehicles for systems change.
Professor Foster-Fishman has also worked with a variety of public sector agencies, not-for-profit organisations, and community and statewide coalitions and institutions, aiming to improve their systems change efforts. She has conducted process and outcome evaluations of systems change efforts, comprehensive community initiatives and coalitions.
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