Collaboration and Coalition Building

Presented by

Prevention Services

of ETP Inc.

and DMHAS’ Prevention Unit

Collaboration and Coalition Building

for Effective Prevention

Programming

© 1999 Education Development Center, Inc.

What is it?

Coalition: A structured arrangement for cooperation and collaboration between otherwise unrelated groups or organizations in which each group retains it identity, but all agree to work together toward a common, mutually agreed upon goal.

Why is it important?

Mandatory collaboration with school superintendents.

Cultural Competence Collaboration

What is it?

Collaboration: A process to reach goals that cannot be achieved acting singly (or at a minimum, cannot be reached as efficiently). As a process, collaboration is a means to an end, not an end itself. The desired end is more comprehensive and appropriate prevention services that improve prevention outcomes.

A Coalition Is...

A group of community systems, programs, offices, departments and individuals that make a commitment to work together to move forward a common mission.

Each coalition member participates in a process of shared decision-making and allocates resources to support activities designed to meet mutually identified goals.

A Coalition Is… (continued)

In addition, the coalition seeks to build capacity by not only combining existing resources, but by also identifying new sources of support.

The Benefits of an Effective Coalition

The Benefits of an Effective Coalition

Improves communication among key players Increases program capacity Strengthens ability for advocacy Avoids duplication of efforts Creates a comprehensive program approach Increases potential for success

The Qualities of an Effective Coalition

The Qualities of an Effective Coalition

Shared vision Effective leadership Member-driven Draws on multiple systems of community life Clearly articulated action plan Operates from an assets perspective Identifies existing resources to support coalition

activities Builds capacity

To Effectively Lead a Coalition…

Start where the coalition members are Understand that each community system has its

own unique way of operating Accept that turf issues are inherent in

collaborative ventures and address them head on Limit the bureaucratic demands on the coalition

members Dedicate time and energy to creating a group

identity among coalition members

To Effectively Lead a Coalition… (continued)

Work with members to develop a mission statement to guide the work of the coalition

Engage coalition members in a process of planning and implementation that moves the group to action

Establish milestones that can be used to measure progress and celebrate accomplishments

Find ways to recognize coalition participants for their involvement

To Sustain a Coalition

Stay focused on your missionKeep the demands on members simple and

realisticDevelop clear roles and expectations for membersProvide ongoing opportunities for members to

interact socially within the context of coalitionMaintain a focus on the assets you have to work

with as opposed to the deficits that you face

To Sustain a Coalition

Encourage members to see the coalition as a resource that can help them do their job more effectivelyPlan activities that demonstrate clearly the impact of your groupGive recognition to coalition members as often as possibleLegitimize the need for each individual to reevaluate their role periodicallyLook for ways to recruit new members

Guidelines for Prevention Programming

Selection of Appropriate Strategies

1. Knowledge of the target population

2. Clarity and realism of expected results

3. Corroborative Empirical evidence of potential effectiveness

4. Conceptual soundness

Guidelines for Prevention Programming

Interrelationships and Appropriate Structure

5. Inclusive Participation

6. System Integration

7. Appropriate Structuring of the effort

Guidelines for Prevention Programming

Implementation Considerations

8. Appropriateness of timing, intensity and duration

9. Attention to quality of delivery

10. Commitment to Evaluation and Effort Refinement

Systems of Community Life

Criminal justice professionals Elected officials

City department heads Social workers

Sports and recreation organizations School personnel

Victim assistance providers Youth workers

Health care providers Peer counselors

Public housing managers Neighborhood leaders

Newspaper editors/writers Television news directors

Local business leaders Local union leaders

Leaders in the faith community Others

Systems of Community Life

System Assets BenefitsPolice Data

TrainedprofessionalsConnectionsto othercriminaljustice

Reductionsin crimeImprovedcommunityrelations

Systems of Community LifeSystem Assets Benefits

Five indicators of Sense of Community Sense of Membership Mutual Importance Shared worldviews Bonding/Networking Mutual responsibility for the community

Six Indicators of Mobilization Capacity Sustained leadership Formalization Rewards and Incentives Internal and External Communication Community organizational know-how Behind-the-scenes support

Indicators for Focused Action

Clarity of goals Feasibility of plan Capabilities and resources Citizen participation and control Passion for immediate action High-performance team functioning

Notes

Notes