Community Based Coalitions, Collaborations and Partnership: Pointers for Strengthening, Describing, and Tracking Them Beth Baker, PhD and Amy Estlund, MPH

Levels of Partnership (Coalition or Consortium) Partnerships vary based on formality and level of engagement

Partnership Formation/ Steps in the Process *Brennan Ramirez, Baker, & Metzler, 2008; Johnson, Grossman & Cassidy, 1996 Convene an inclusive group Establish group vision and mission – include scope and parameters Define organizational structure and operating mechanisms – agree on process for working together Determine group process – how meetings will be run, how communication will be done, roles and responsibilities

Partnership Formation/ Steps in the Process cont Analyze information about the problem, goals an factors affecting them - include assets, secondary data and consider primary data collection Develop a framework or model for change Develop and use an action plan Implement effective solutions

Partnership Formation/ Steps in the Process cont Assure technical assistance Document progress and share feedback Sustain the work

Collaboration Characteristics *Barnidge, Brownson, Baker & Shetty, 2010; Figueroa, Kincaid, Raini & Lewis, 2002; Granner & Sharpe, 2004, Johnson et al., 1996, Schulz, Israel & Lantz, 2003; Wolfe, 2002 Partnership characteristics/group process Characteristics of each partner organization Context

Collaboration Characteristics cont. – Partnership Characteristics/Group Process Shared leadership Clear and open communication Equitable information Decision making (degree and equity of participation) Synergy (collective self efficacy) Sense of ownership Social cohesion

Collaboration Characteristics cont. – Partnership Characteristics/Group Process Social norms Conflict resolution Shared goals and vision Shared power, influence and resources Trust Action planning and implementation Group management (organization of meetings, agenda, minutes, facilitation)

Collaboration Characteristics cont. – Partnership Characteristics/Group Process Clear roles and procedures Technical assistance Resources Critical reflection (members discuss how they are working together)

Collaboration Characteristics cont. – Characteristics of each partner organization Resources Communication among staff Staff turnover Buy in from leadership; recognition of benefit of collaboration Norms Leadership style Support for innovation

Collaboration Characteristics cont. – Context Community capacity Health issues Historical context National/state/regional/local policies and trends Geographic and cultural diversity Previous collaborations

Tools No one tool covers it all Use a combination of the following tools

Tools Collaborating to Improve Community Health (Johnson et al, 1996) Tools for Building Clinic-Community Partnerships to Support Chronic Disease Control and Prevention (Barnidge et al, 2010) Diagnosing Your Coalition: Risk Factors for Participation (Kaye in Wolfe, 2002) Partnership Checklist (SLU, 2011)

References Barnidge, E., Brownson, C., Baker, E., & Shetty, G. (2010). Tools for building clinic- community partnerships to support chronic disease control and prevention. The Diabetes Educator, 36(2), Brennan Ramirez, L., Baker, E., & Metzler, M. (2008). Promoting Health Equity: A resource to Health Communities Address Social Determinants of Health. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Figueroa, M., Kincaid, D., Raini, M., & Lewis, G. (2002). Communication for Social Change: An integrated model for measuring the process and its outcomes: Johns Hopkins University Center for Communication Programs. Granner, M., & Sharpe, P. (2004). Evaluating community coalition characteristics and functioning: a summary of measurement tools. Health Education Research: Theory & Practice, 19, Johnson, K., Grossman, W., & Cassidy, A. (1996). Collaborating to improve community health: Workbook and guide to best practices in creating healthier communities and populations. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass Publishers. Schulz, A., Israel, B., & Lantz, P. (2003). Instrument for evaluating dimensions of group dynamics within community-based participatory research partnerships. Evaluation and Program Planning, 26, Wolff, T. (2002). A practical approach to evaluating coalitions. In T. E. Backer (Ed.), Evaluating Community Collaborations: Springer Publishing.

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