Network Member Perceptions of Community Systems Development Efforts: A Qualitative Study of Early Childhood Networks in Illinois

Background: Early childhood is a significant period in human development where individual protective factors establish and extend across the life course. In Illinois, several public health districts across the state have created collaborative networks that foster community engagement, family support, and community system-building efforts. These networks can provide lessons learned for similar initiatives, thus we sought to gain perceptions of network members’ participation and the role of networks in their communities.

Methods: We conducted 11 focus group interviews with 73 participants who all served as network members across 10 Illinois counties. A semi-structured focus group interview guide was used to examine network member perceptions related to lessons learned with community systems development around early childhood outcomes. All interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic network analysis was used to analyze all focus group data.

Results: Three major themes emerged from the focus group data: (1) community engagement, (2) information flow, and (3) client-centered approach with a system-wide focus. Namely, network members emphasized the value of developing and tracking shared goals, networking with members from diverse sectors, and engaging in work that centers the needs of children and families in their local communities.

Implications: This study presents a qualitative analysis of focus group interviews with network members to learn more about their perceptions of each network’s impact within their local community as a part of a program evaluation. This study identified key lessons learned for early childhood networks to improve, grow, and assess the process of systems-level change within and across networks. These study findings are applicable to multiple areas of social work macro practice targeting systems level changes.

Keywords: networks, coalition, community systems development, early childhood, public health