 community-based participatory research, CBPR, and system science are two complementary approaches to research that can be used together to better understand how to bridge the gap between research and practice. CBPR emphasizes collaboration between scientists and communities to address health disparities and build capacity, while system science focuses on understanding the complex interactions between humans and ecological systems. By combining these two approaches, CHAA has been able to develop a successful partnership that has evolved over time to meet the needs of its community and researchers alike. This article explores how CHAA has applied systems science tools to strengthen its partnership and ensure that research is responsive to the needs of the community. This article was authored by Melinda M. Davis, Paul Lindbergh, Suzanne Cross, and others.