Center for Civic Partnerships

Engaging in Population Health Improvement Efforts - Necessary Items

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This list was generated by participants in The California Wellness Foundation's Health Improvement Initiative, at their final technical support convening (Feb 2001).

Collaborative Characteristics

Readiness = interest, commitment, capacity and incentives
Consensus around issue and action
Commitment to collaboration and change - honored as equal voices
Understanding, respect and inclusiveness of all cultures in community
History of working together in community

Community Ownership

Goals and outcomes must matter to those you are trying to reach
Community participation and support
Defining the community: needs, assets, value system
Identify community's priorities

Leadership

"Followship" - support areas that are not your own primary focus
Diverse leadership committed and open to change
Leadership: authentic, visionary and inclusive
Shared and facilitated leadership and development of new leaders
Core leadership from within impacted community

Motivation

Catalytic event, crisis, stimulus
Energy for change: need/passion, dissatisfaction, and willingness to change
Sense of hope - belief that change can happen

Power Broker Support

Willingness of systems to change
External force (e.g., legislation)
Policy makers are philosophically aligned

Resources

Trust, money, time, technical assistance and learning community
Non-categorical framework and resources: staffing and funding
Value and utilize individual and community assets (in all forms)
Opportunities and willingness to gain knowledge and skills, and access to technical support

Shared Vision and Commitment

Realistic goals
Anticipate change and be flexible
Shared values and vision

Time

Understanding and commitment to long-term work

Trust and Relationships

Honesty and clarity with agreement on goals, roles, resources, process and leadership for population of interest
A relationship (trust, respect, commitment) between stakeholders must exist
A critical mass of trust and buy-in at multiple levels