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
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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
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•
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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 cliniccommunity partnerships to support chronic disease control and prevention. The Diabetes
Educator, 36(2), 190-201.
• 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, 514-532.
• 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, 249-262.
• Wolff, T. (2002). A practical approach to evaluating coalitions. In T. E. Backer (Ed.),
Evaluating Community Collaborations: Springer Publishing.
Questions?