Building Strong Partnerships in Kentucky

Jennifer Redmond, MPHProgram Director Kentucky Cancer Consortium

     

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.

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.

Key KCC partnership strategies Expect to learn from one another.

Put communication plan to action.

Be inclusive.

Thank people early and often.

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

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

“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

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

Other state partnerships…Just a phone call away!

Arkansas Colorado Idaho Maryland Nebraska

New York North Carolina Ohio South Carolina Utah Washington

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

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

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

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

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

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