**Forthcoming in Progress in Community Health Partnerships (PCHP) 19.2. All rights reserved.**
ABSTRACT
Background: The federally-funded four-state HEALing Communities Study (HCS) aims to reduce fatal opioid overdoses. Each state was required to establish a Community Advisory Board (CAB). CABs have the potential to shape research priorities, ensuring relevance to affected communities.
Objectives: Describe personal and professional benefits of Massachusetts HCS CAB participation. Discuss strategies that promote HCS-MA CAB member benefits.
Methods: Nineteen of 20 HCS-MA CAB members responded to prompts: How has your involvement in the CAB impacted you as an individual, in your work in the community, and on the study? Consider the personal and professional benefits. Responses were analyzed using Thematic Analysis.
Lessons Learned: Benefits of serving on the HCS-MA CAB included mutual learning in an “honest and open space,” forming new relationships, and pride and gratitude in working together on a shared goal.
Conclusions: The results of this case study suggest how valuable community engagement and sharing multiple ways of knowing can be for CAB members.