Issues to Consider when Developing a Collaboration: A Community Organization’s Perspective September 20, 2012 WREN Forum

Consortium Partners

Our Collaborations (partial) Changing the Culture of Risky Drinking Behavior Coalition Healthy Living Collaboration Mental Health Coalition Compass NOW Pioneering Healthier Communities Healthiest County 2015: La Crosse

Connect with people’s passions (the opposition’s, too!)

What makes people collaborate? Researchers: how and why? Researchers: how and why? Communities: how to apply the how and why Communities: how to apply the how and why  Allies/Partners: how to make change  Opposition: how change will impact  General Public: what is right message?

Starting a Collaboration Start communications early—before the parameters are set Start communications early—before the parameters are set Come with more questions than answers Come with more questions than answers Assume expertise Assume expertise Assume connectivity Assume connectivity Assume passion Assume passion

Questions to bring with you What has already been done? What has already been done? Who are the key players/coalitions? Who are the key players/coalitions? Who is the key opposition? Who is the key opposition? What drives community change? What drives community change? What does this community want to accomplish? What does this community want to accomplish? How will this research be used? How will this research be used?

Working with the Collaboration Community engagement is messy Community engagement is messy Prepare for course adjustments Prepare for course adjustments Be aware of changes in community Be aware of changes in community  Political and budget changes  Traumatic events  Neighborhood concerns Accept that decisions are not always data-driven Accept that decisions are not always data-driven

Using the Results Work out dissemination plans well in advance Work out dissemination plans well in advance  Disseminate to community as well as in the field  Disseminate in many forms Maintain the relationship beyond the project Maintain the relationship beyond the project Let yourself be changed Let yourself be changed

Catherine Kolkmeier Director, La Crosse Medical Health Science Consortium (608)