Implementing Community Partnerships: 10 Lessons Learned Gary

Implementing Community Partnerships: 10 Lessons Learned Gary Neumann, Project Manager Community Prevention Institute Adapted from: Implementation of Community Partnerships: Lessons Learned / An EMT Report authored by Joel Phillips and J. Fred Springer, Ph.D.

LESSON ONE Unclear purpose is a major impediment to successful collective action by voluntary coalitions

Competing Models of Coalition Strategy Comprehensive Services Coordination Fragmentation, gaps and redundancies in service delivery Citizen Mobilization Community activism that emphasizes voluntary cooperation Community Linkage Build vertical linkages between formal and informal organizations in the community Coalition of Coalitions Central organization linking independent and separate partnerships. Providing leadership, advocacy on public issues involving ATOD and technical assistance and training

Advantages/Disadvantages Advantages Disadvantages Coordinator Led Control Buy-In Understand school environment Team (school based) Spread work Understand school environment Youth participation Spread work (delegate) Task completion more likely Ownership Spread Coordinator Teacher Students Community Partner Coordinator Teachers Students Community More Work! More Work! More Work! Logistics, getting team together Competing Time Commitment Organizational logistics

LESSON TWO Membership configuration must be appropriate to shared purpose and strategy

Appropriateness of Members If organizations are expected to be key contributors, their leaders need to be involved Grassroots activists and community citizens must have prominent leadership positions that pursue citizen mobilization strategy

Vision – The Essential “What” What is one thing that would have to change in order for this dream to become reality? What key things would be present to bring this about?

Group Process Share your visions and ideas for change Discuss Common Themes Discuss Common Issues Record Common Visions Essential “Whys” and “Whats”

Examples Communities free of alcohol-related problems Healthy children Safe streets, safe neighborhoods Every house a home Education for all Peace on earth

MISSION (the “what” and “why”) What will be done to move closer to the community vision Why it will be done How it will be done

MISSION: Why you do what you do; the organization's reason for being, its purpose. Says what, in the end, you want to be remembered for. -The Drucker Foundation

Characteristics of Mission Statements Clear Concise Outcome Robust Inclusive oriented

Developing a Mission: From Vision to Mission Gather – Why does your group exist? Gather – Essential Why Answers: Essential What Answers Pay attention to phrases that describe your activities and rationale Select one statement that best describes what the group should undertake – Use essential What phrases to help you begin

Draft Mission Statement Do we have the phrases that can be formed to serve as a draft mission statement?

Draft Mission Statement Format The mission of our initiative (or organization etc.) is: (The essential why goes here) Through (or by): (The essential what goes here)

Examples “To reduce alcohol and other drug use by youth through collaboration, education and policy change.” "To promote child health and development through a comprehensive family and community initiative." "To create a thriving community through development of jobs, education, housing, and cultural pride. "To develop a safe and healthy neighborhood through collaborative planning, community action, policy advocacy and enforcement."

OBJECTIVES Specific measurable results that help reach goals of a community initiative Tied to data that clearly identifies issues or problems to address Process & Outcome

Use SMART C criteria to set objectives: – – – – – – Specific Measurable Achievable Relevant Timed Challenging

Objectives Tell how much of what you hope to accomplish and by when

Objectives Should Include Baseline and benchmark measures that will demonstrate the success of your initiative over time Behavioral changes you hope to see if your initiative is successful Population-level changes you hope to see if your initiative is successful

Examples By 2007, increase the percentage of alcohol beverage servers at on-sale establishments who refuse sales to obviously intoxicated patrons from 25% to 75%. By 2007, reduce by 35% the number of police calls for service at licensed on-sale establishments.

STRATEGIES What will be done to achieve objectives Research-based “best practices” Comprehensive – Individual & Environmental Programs, policies and /or practices that need to be modified in some way

Strategies – Approaches May Include Providing Information Enhancing skills Modifying barriers, access, and opportunities Enhancing services and supports Changing incentives and disincentives Change the physical design of the environment Modifying policies and broader systems that affect the issue

Strategies Should: Be consistent with vision, mission & objectives Be appropriate for the resources and opportunities available Anticipate resistance and barriers and how they can be minimized Reach the population / community or focus Involve those who can contribute

Examples Conduct regular RBS training to owners, managers and servers at on-sale establishments (provide information, enhance skills, modify policies, etc) Conduct regular compliance checks / enforcement operations to assess changes in server behavior. (Change incentives and disincentives, etc).

ACTION PLAN What will be done How much By whom By when Resources needed Results expected

Action Plan - Example WHAT Conduct monthly RBS training sessions for owners, managers and servers of onsale alcohol businesses WHEN 7/1/2005 – 9/30/2005 3rd Monday each month, 11 am – 1 pm BY WHOM RESOURCES NEEDED City Trainers, Partnership training Coalition room, trainers & informational Law materials, Enforcement etc representative RESULTS EXPECTED Process Measures: # of sessions; # of attendees; etc Outcome Measures: Changes in server behavior; Reductions in alcohol-related problems; etc

Next Steps Implementing Evaluation the Plan