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Community mobilization is a proven strategy that has helped communities identify and address health concerns, including HIV/AIDS. Mobilization strengthens and enhances the ability of communities to work together to achieve goals that are important for that community. Community mobilization is not something that is done overnight. It is a process that requires time and commitment from all parties involved. The key to successful mobilization efforts is ensuring that communities are in the driver’s seat during the process. Mobilization is not something that happens to the community; it is something that the community does.

One of the primary goals of mobilization is making sure it is community-driven, allowing a community to solve its problems through its efforts. This is the key to having sustained outcomes and impact within a community.  Some of the standards that drive community mobilization are:

• There is a group dynamic among a wide range of community members, not just key decision makers
• Members of the community participate in the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation process
• Communities make investments of their resources to support efforts

If your agency or area needs community mobilization assistance, please contact HSD_HIVPrevention@doh.state.fl.us.