1. Building Strong Partnerships in Kentucky Jennifer Redmond, MPH Program Director Kentucky Cancer Consortium

2. Key KCC partnership strategies Sell people on the benefit of working together as opposed to working on their own. Be a “connector.” – Tipping Point Recognize that successful partnerships take time. Actively listen to partners to learn what their best skills, talents, interests and job descriptions allow them to do. Be proactive about finding ways you can benefit partners.

3. Key KCC partnership strategies Find specific projects for people to rally around and keep things moving. Be enthusiastic and positive. Be willing to check ego at the door. Be eager to share credit.

4. Key KCC partnership strategies Expect to learn from one another. Put communication plan to action. Be inclusive. Thank people early and often.

5. Summit partnerships Co-host with Kentucky Women’s Cancer Screening Program in Spring 2008  Attendance from around the state  Shared goals and learning objectives Co-host with Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program in Fall 2008  Attendance from around the state  Shared prevention goals Prevent Cancer Foundation  Dialogue for Action for Colon Cancer – June 2008 Health Education through Extension Leadership (Cooperative Extension Program)  Primary sponsor for Summit speakers, travel educational materials

6. Staff partnerships Kentucky Injury Research and Prevention Center  Staff provided consulting regarding developing a state plan, building partnerships and strategic planning  Discussed creative collaborative opportunities Area Health Education Centers  Lessons learned from physician trainings

7. “For-profit” partnerships Humana  Financial, Awareness of prevention and early detection efforts, Leadership, For-profit perspective, Public policy Norton Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Program, Norton Cancer Institute  Financial, scholarships, leadership, clinical perspective

8. Survivor partnerships Patient Advocate Foundation  National Volunteer Coordinator, Kentucky State Policy Liaison  Grassroots policy support and updates A Lion in the House  KCC provided outreach coordination and support for childhood cancer survivor events

9. Other state partnerships… Just a phone call away! Arkansas Colorado Idaho Maryland Nebraska New York North Carolina Ohio South Carolina Utah Washington

10. How did we find partnership opportunities? Made one-on-one visits with key stakeholders on their turf Spoke honestly and candidly Proactively connected people Highlighted strengths and benefits of organizations above pre-existing challenges Developed and followed-through with communication plan

11. Opportunity knocks… Steering Committee decided to focus on public policy American Cancer Society -- Government Relations staff Developed a committee of interested partners Founder of Colon Cancer Prevention Project and enthusiastic promoter of screening joined Steering Committee January 2008 was to be a revenue-generating session of the Kentucky General Assembly Key legislators willing to meet with us

12. I’m Just a Bill….HB415 Became our rallying project Colon cancer screening and treatment program targeting uninsured/underinsured ages 50-64 As of August 2007, there was nothing collective happening toward this effort April 2008, the Kentucky General Assembly passed HB415 creating a colon cancer screening program

13. Strategic Partnering Brought people together who are often never in the same room  Cancer organizations that may have past turf wars  Both state AND local health department representatives  Physicians from various specialties  Community Advocates  Non-profit organizations  For-profit organizations  Government Officials  Government Relations Specialists

14. Facilitated effective meetings Be open to the possibility that our meetings may want to make people stick a pencil in their eye Led interactive group discussion Were willing to gently cut people off if they are dominating the meeting discussion Prioritized one or two key items requiring decisions Worked toward consensus Selected neutral location Adhered to meeting time frame Provided timely follow-up and concise meeting notes

15. Results and Next Steps Bill was passed – but with no funding attached! Reconvene key stakeholders from committee (who are now listed on the legislation) Outline legislative victory in May/June newsletter for all KCC partners Determine which parts can be implemented without funding  In-kind from partners Participate in Dialogue for Action for Colon Cancer Start planning for next legislative session