There is an increased interest in best practices in the design and implementation of specialized programs for refugee survivors of torture. The processes taking place in the development of such a program also warrant assessment. In particular, this paper addresses the importance of community participation. Using the Host Support Program for Survivors of Torture as a case study, we identify the community participation practices that emerged during stages of program development and describe how these practices have made possible a collaborative service delivery model and facilitated community capacity building that addresses the complex needs of refugee survivors of torture. The process of community collaboration is discussed as central to the process of effective community participation and organizing. The illustrated benefits of community participation position this model as a best practice.

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cooperation refugee health care planning Organizational Objectives Community Health Services community care human Refugees survivor Survivors health service organization Health Services Needs and Demand Benchmarking Humans Organizational Case Studies health services research Canada Alberta quality control Article organization and management Community Health Planning Cooperative Behavior Torture