Multi-Sectoral Partnerships for Physical Literacy: Setting the Scene for Evaluation.

Abstract

The physical literacy for communities (PL4C) project aimed to promote physical literacy using a participatory community mobilization approach; organizing multi-sectoral community-led tables that developed and promoted physical literacy initiatives. As part of a scale-up across Canada, we set out to design an evaluation protocol to assess the effectiveness of the PL4C intervention that was aligned with table processes and activities. We conducted interviews with members of two original community tables that would then serve as exemplar communities for the scale-up evaluation with the goal of understanding: (1) how the existing PL4C intervention functioned; and (2) the promotion of physical literacy in these communities. Through qualitative interviews with 13 (11 women) existing PL4C table members, we identified three broad categories: working together, sustainability, and promoting physical literacy in different settings. Participants identified several areas important for evaluation of PL4C scale-up and implementation, including unpacking partnership operations and capacity building, supporting and understanding the sustainability of multi-sectoral action, and measuring the effectiveness of physical literacy program delivery. We used findings from these interviews to design an evaluation of the PL4C intervention that included milestone tracking, interviews and surveys with table members and community leaders, and direct measures of physical literacy alongside school and community-based physical literacy interventions being delivered in exemplar communities.